Holiday gift guides are a game-changer for independent shops. Getting your product featured in print or online can instantly put your brand in front of thousands of fresh eyes.

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But editors work months in advance, which means the window to get noticed for the festive season is open earlier than you might think.

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With this challenge, we aren't just talking about PR — we are actually doing the work to get placed.

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Using the frameworks from our “Pitching to Media” session, this challenge breaks down the often-intimidating process of contacting editors into a single, manageable task.

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Your goal is simple: craft one solid pitch using our templates and hit send. It’s time to stop hoping for coverage and start asking for it.

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Why do this challenge?

Gift guides published in print or online are huge for the holidays and a great promo tool. They’re a way to get your shop in front of new audiences.

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Challenge yourself to put together a gift guide pitch and send it to at least one media outlet this month to try to get placed.

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The details

Begins: August 1

Ends: August 31 (if you need more time or want to come back to it later, that's fine!)

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Our challenges are designed for everyone, whether you are a new or established seller. Everyone can have a go!

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Challenges are self-led. If you want to participate, please make time for it according to your own schedule.

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What do I need to do?

To take part in the challenge:

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1. Watch the Pitching to Media: Get Noticed by Editors session.

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2. Write your own gift guide pitch using the formula in Pitching to Media: Examples and Templates document and/or the gift guide exercise slide (find them both here), including what media outlet it is for and a subject line.

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3. Choose one of the media outlets from our non-exhaustive list, or another of your own. Find the email address to send pitches to for your chosen publication (check the footer, Contact or FAQ pages on their websites for informations on pitches and submissions) and send your pitch.

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Let us know how you do in the comments below!

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