The Propel Media Barometer - Q1 2023
In the fourth quarter of 2022, earned media underwent some substantial transformations, such as the increased need for compelling storytelling and the introduction of advanced technologies, both causing a ripple of effects in the PR sector. One important way to understand the industry's evolution is by breaking down the data at the pitching level.
Here at Propel, we put together a quarterly data report called the Propel Media Barometer to support comms pros in creating successful PR strategies and ensuring their story is heard. For the Q1 2023 report, we analyzed approximately 500,000 pitches that were sent out by PR professionals through our platform during Q4 of 2022 to outline all the components of a successful pitch today. Such elements included the right length for the subject line, an adequate pitch length in total, and when is the ideal time to pitch in order to receive the most responses from media professionals. By understanding the facts about PR pitching that are uncovered in this research, PR pros will have a clearer understanding of how to make their pitches as effective as possible, and ultimately spread their messages.
A few key findings from the report include:
- We unfortunately saw a 20.6% decrease in the average journalist response rate to pitches this past quarter, moving from 3.35% in Q3 to 2.66% in Q4.
- Journalists are still opening the majority of pitches they receive within one hour of them landing in the inbox (54.79% of pitches).
- In Q4, journalists responded to the most pitches on Tuesday (23.73% of pitch responses), which stands out compared with our previous barometer report showing that journalists responded to the most pitches on Wednesday in Q3.
- While the majority of pitches that result in published articles convert in a matter of three days, approximately 11% of articles published take more than a month to convert.
- With tons of new buzz surrounding ChatGPT, The wave of PR pitching around this topic has already begun, as we saw over 1,200 pitches sent mentioning the chatbot, receiving a 6.18% average journalist response rate.
Download the full Q1 2023 Propel Media Barometer below: