17 ways you could Cold Pitch this week for more cash + more fun
If you didn't see my last article - when I was just starting out, I 5x'd my business with zero social media.
Thanks to cold pitching people I wanted to work with.
(Yes, the term "cold pitching" irks people, but it really is simply reaching out to someone who doesn't know you & making an offer/ask/invite)
If you're like "yeah, but I don't see how this applies to me" well, I have created SO MANY ideas for you - how you can use it in your business *this week*
17 to be exact. For 3 different businesses/industries!
You ready??
IF I WAS HOSTING A RETREAT - here are 4 ways I’d use cold pitching to make the retreat more successful (and easier to promote)
1. I would cold pitch someone I was a superfan of, that has a larger audience than I do to co-facilitate, or teach 1 special workshop at the retreat
Since I’m a superfan I would suggest a few topic options & talk about how this retreat would serve their mission or make them look good.
With this special guest, the retreat promotion would reach more people, and be more exciting for people to attend.
2. I would pitch a handful of people who I know would be deeply served by attending
This is more of a “warm” pitch, since I already know the people in some capacity (maybe they’re prior attendees or past clients) but the rules still apply ;)
I’d point to the exact elements of the retreat I think they’ll love, and let them know how they inspired certain parts of the retreat (if relevant/true)
3. I’d cold pitch aligned brands to sponsor the retreat
I would come up with a list of amazing products/services that I absolutely adore, and that align with the vibe and intention of the retreat & pitch them to send free stuff for the guests & I’d share how it aligns with their mission and how I would make them look good + promote their stuff.
4. I’d make a list of podcasts that I love listening to, that align with my mission, that are like-minded, and pitch them to be a guest
I’d keep this list short & trim it down to podcasts I would be head over heels to be featured on & I’d spend time listening to each podcast and tailoring the cold pitch directly for them (no copy-pasting - ew!!)
On the podcast I would give their people amazing value & at the end, mention that I lead retreats on [specific topics] for [specific people], and let them know about the next one coming up.
Not bad, right??
IF I WAS A LIFE COACH — here are 5 ways I’d use cold pitching to boost my business this week.
1. I would pitch my mentor to teach a class or guest-coach in their program
Okay, this is more of a WARM pitch, but the same rules apply ;P If I got certified or was mentored by someone, this is a no-brainer.
I would come up with a stellar topic that would deeply serve their people, and pitch them on how this can be a value-add for their program & give them a much-needed break.
2. I would cold pitch podcasts in complementary fields that I’m a fan of.
Instead of trying to be on a coaching podcast, I would reach out to interest-based podcasts that aligned with my niche or my personal interests! Like, I’m a dancer, so I’d find a podcast hosted by a really cool dancer I admire and pitch them to bring me on to talk about how to handle stage fright or body dysmorphia or how to coach yourself before a competition.
You better bet I’d listen to a bunch of the podcast’s episodes & be very specific on what we could talk about + how I would promote the podcast on my end + make it super easy for the host to look good!
3. I’d directly ask my friends and connections to pitch for me!
I’d gift people I know — who I know are friends with or connected to the types of people I know I can help — with free sessions to gift to their friends! They get to be generous & I get to have intro sessions with amazing people.
I’d be incredibly clear about what I do, who I help, and I’d of course offer these friends and connections to do a free session with me to experience it themselves.
4. I would pitch my local chamber of commerce if I could speak at one of their events.
I’d use my network and connections to learn about the person I was reaching out to, about their interests and values, and I’d customize my speaking topic to the types of people attending.
In-person events are awesome for finding clients, making connections, and as a speaker you get instant credibility!
5. I’d pitch someone I’m a superfan of to do a joint workshop with me.
Since I’m a superfan of them, I already know their values, mission, all the things, so I would craft my pitch to explain exactly how this workshop would serve their mission or their people.
I would make it incredibly clear as to how I would do all the work and it would be SO easy for them.
IF I WAS AN ARTIST 🎨 — here are 8 ways I’d use cold pitching to sell more art
1. I would find aligned brands and ask them to sponsor me
Why should only athletes be sponsored??
I would only pitch products I use and adore & I would let them know exactly how sponsoring me would support their mission.
2. I would cold pitch local shops to show my art
I’d be picky that the shop had aligned values with me and that it’s patrons were my type of people
I’d try and think out of the box and not just local coffee shops.
3. I would pitch a museum to buy art from me
Talk about cred!! I would do a ton of research on the museums donors, curator, and exec director to learn about their background, mission, what they care about, etc. so I can speak directly to why it would benefit their organization to carry my art.
4. I would cold pitch a patron of the arts
This one would take much more research & patience bc it would rely on expanding my network.
I would try to find someone who likes my style of art, and who believes in similar causes as me. I would put in the legwork to attend similar events & “run in the same circles.” I would share about my vision of the world, and invite the patron to be apart of creating that vision.
(Remember, the most life-changing pitches are worth the legwork!!)
5. I would cold pitch a collaborator for an exhibit
Probably someone who uses a different medium than me - a musician, ceramicist (is that a word?), jewelry artist.
Or maybe someone who isn’t even a classic artist - a tarot reader, fashion designer, mixologist…
6. I would cold pitch a physical product company to use my art on their products - with royalties, of course!
I would find a company that is aligned with my values (organic, inclusive…) and pitch my art to be on their towels, mugs, journals, panties…
I totally think cool companies would love custom art for their stuff!
7. I would cold pitch a fellowship program or grant
Most nonprofits are notoriously terrible at applying for funding so I would use my Cold Pitch Magic skills to get funding for my art! I would research the donors, board members, directors, and past winners so my pitch was attuned to what they’re looking for.
8. I would cold pitch an online magazine to write an article about my work
I’d choose one that clearly spoke to my people, but wasn’t necessarily a magazine for artists - I want art buyers, not just street cred! If the undercurrent of my art is connecting with Nature, maybe I could pitch a gardening magazine and talk about the importance of art and gardening for child development, or how to use your vegetables to make dyes.
...
So many options!!! And no social media required!!?!
Cold pitching is such a versatile skill as a business owner (and a human tbh) — it helps you make more money, become more visible, make a bigger impact, and experience the coolest shit.
My 2-hour workshop COLD PITCH MAGIC with Simone Seol is TOMORROW - on Thursday, June 20th at 8-10pm ET.
Click here to grab your ticket — it’s only $45 (!!!!) and you get lifetime access to the replay and bonus resources.
