Not getting the traction you were hoping for? There are a few concrete things you can do to change that.
Complete your profile
This one is worth spending real time on. A complete profile helps Qwoted match you to the right opportunities, makes a stronger impression on journalists when you pitch, and helps you rank higher in our source database so reporters can find you directly.
Here's what to fill out and why it matters:
Bio: Adding a bio to your source accounts can help to quickly and effectively establish your credibility and expertise to journalists - which is key when you're on Qwoted.
Headshot: Puts a face to your name. Simple, but it makes a difference.
Hashtags: Qwoted uses your hashtags to match you with relevant opportunities and notify you when new ones come in. They also work as filters in the source database, so adding them is one of the easiest ways to boost your visibility on the platform.
Employment: Your title and company show up when you pitch, and add credibility to your submission.
Recent quotes: These can be published or unpublished. Pull from a past article, a blog post, or even a pitch you submitted that didn't get picked up. This section gives reporters a preview of your tone, perspective, and angle so they already have a feel for how you'll show up as a source.
Recent commentary: When you pitch, you'll see the option to "Auto Summarize." If selected, Qwoted will summarize your pitch in two to three sentences and surface it on your dashboard and on relevant journalists' dashboards. It will also appear under "story ideas." You can delete any of these if you'd prefer.
Media: Link to articles, podcasts, broadcasts, white papers, or any media you've been published or featured in.
Gallery: Separate from your profile photo, this is specifically for journalists who need a headshot or other business related photos to use in their story. The Gallery is for downloadable pictures. You can use the same image for your profile picture and the Gallery if you like.
Gender identity and location: These are required because they're the two most commonly used filters on the platform.
Email and phone number: Not required, but including contact details gives journalists a direct way to reach you outside the platform.
Social media: Adding two social media links gets you to 100% profile completion.
One thing worth knowing: Qwoted profiles are public-facing by default, which means they can show up in Google searches. If you'd prefer to limit that, there's a "network" setting under Profile Visibility when editing your profile.
Here is a blog post we wrote to help you make your profile even stronger:
Pitching Tips
Pitching Best Practices
Move fast - Even with a few days until deadline, try not to let more than 12 hours pass before you send your pitch.
Keep it clean - Use bullet points and short sentences. Pitches with 7 to 12 sentences tend to get the best response rates.
Be unique - Tailor each pitch to the specific journalist and request. A generic pitch reads as one.
Avoid selling - A pitch is a chance to help a reporter answer their question, not a chance to sell your product or service.
Answer the questions - Treat each pitch as a direct response to the journalist’s request by clearly addressing the specific questions or topics they’ve outlined. Reporters are usually reviewing many pitches at once and tend to look for responses they can quickly assess or quote without additional clarification.
Make it "Qwoteable" - Write your answer so a reporter can lift it with minimal editing. Ask yourself:
What do I know that a journalist can't just Google? Firsthand experience, patterns you've seen with clients, real numbers, something surprising. That's the good stuff.
Is it concrete? A specific number, a client story, a result, a comparison. Vague insights get skipped. Specific ones get quoted.
Would a real person actually say this out loud? Read your pitch back. If it sounds like a press release, rewrite it in your own words.
Here are a few articles that share a few best pitching practices, in case they are helpful:
Avoid AI Usage
Even light AI use can flag the AI checker (i.e grammar, structure, brainstorming, etc. It's best to avoid AI anywhere in your workflow.
Reporters often cannot use pitches that have a likelihood of being written by AI and may be using an AI checker tool to check your work. We recommend you do the same to understand how your pitch may be perceived.