Most pitches get ignored.

I’ve pitched a lot of people, I’ve been pitched a lot of things and that is a universal truth.

It’s not because people are rude. But because most pitches are:

• Way too long

• Weirdly self-absorbed

• Were 100% written by an A.I.

If you want the “yes”… whether it’s from a podcast host, a potential partner, or someone you really want to work with… you have to pitch like a human who isn’t experiencing their first day on earth.

Here’s how…

Why Your Pitches Flop

1. Too long. If your email or DM takes longer than a minute to read... they’re not reading it.

2. All about you. They don’t care about your whole backstory. They care what’s in it for them.

3. Zero specificity. Asking someone to “collab” or “for a quick chat” means nothing without context.

4. No clear ask. If they’re not sure what you're asking for or what’s involved, it’s a no.

The 4-Step Genius Pitch Framework

(can be applied everywhere, the example here is asking someone to be featured in the newsletter)

Step 1: Start personal

Open with something real and specific. Flattery doesn’t work. Recognition does.

Step 2: Make it relevant

Tie your ask to your mission. Make them feel like a perfect fit.

Step 3: Ask clearly

State your ask in one sentence. Max. Tell them exactly what you want them to do. Make it feel as low lift as possible for them.

Step 4: Make it easy to say yes (or no)

Close with zero pressure, maximum warmth.

Genius Tips

• Keep it under 150 words or under a minute read time. It shouldn’t take any time for someone to understand what you want. It should be instantly clear.

• Don’t over sell it. It’s not that deep. You don’t need to share your life story, or your biggest dreams. This isn’t shark tank.

• Follow up once. After 5–7 days. No guilt trip. Just a gentle nudge in case something got missed.

• Steal your own wins. If a pitch worked, use that version again. Don’t reinvent every time.

Genius Takeaways

• A strong pitch is about them, not you.

• Specificity beats volume, every time.

• Follow up but don’t be annoying.

• Make saying “yes” the easiest option. Make the ask as clear as possible.

I’ve pitched podcasts, partnerships, collabs, and cold DMs that led to game-changing stuff. A few years ago I was sending terrible ones that almost never got a reply.

What made the difference? Clarity. Specificity. Humanity. Not being a weirdo and not taking things personally.

If you take anything away from this, take this: 1 line of flattery, 1 line of ask, 1 line of close.

Rooting for you always.

— Alex @heyalexfriedman

P.S. For the first time in 2+ years I’m opening up space for a few more consulting / advisory clients.

If you are in the 0-1 phase of building your business and looking for help with:

• social / content strategy

• founder brand building

• getting your first clients or customers

• investor relationships / fundraising

Schedule a 15-minute chat here with my team and I to see if we are a good fit!