Submitting a source request on PitchResponse is how you open the door to pitches from qualified experts and contributors. The more clearly and completely you fill out your request, the better the responses you will receive. This article walks through every field in the request form so you know exactly what to provide and why it matters.
For guidance on writing a query and requirements that attract quality responses rather than a flood of poorly matched ones, see 04. Writing a Request That Attracts Quality Responses.
Accessing the Request Form #
Once you are logged in to your journalist account, navigate to the Requests section of the platform and select the option to create a new request. The form that opens contains all the fields described below.
The Request Fields #
Summary
A short headline for your request. This is the first thing sources see when browsing available opportunities, so make it specific and descriptive. A summary like “Seeking CFOs who have navigated a Series B in a down market” will attract far more relevant responses than “Finance experts needed.”
Journalist Name
Your name as you would like it to appear on the request. If you prefer not to display your name publicly, use the Anonymous Opportunity option described below.
Contact Email
The email address where you want to receive notifications about incoming pitches and where sources can follow up with you directly. Make sure this is an address you check regularly, particularly if your deadline is approaching.
Media Outlet
The name of the publication, podcast, newsletter, or other outlet the content will appear in or on. Sources use this to assess whether a placement is relevant to their goals, so be accurate and specific.
Domain (URL)
The web address of your publication or outlet. This allows PitchResponse to pull domain metrics that give sources a sense of the authority and reach of your publication.
Link Type
Whether the article will include a dofollow link, a nofollow link, or whether this is unknown at the time of posting. Many sources on PitchResponse are focused on SEO and link building, so providing this information where you know it will help attract sources who are a good fit for what you are offering. If you are unsure, selecting Unknown is fine.
Category
The broad topic category your request falls into, such as Business, Technology, Health, Finance, or Marketing. This helps PitchResponse surface your request to sources who have indicated expertise in that area.
Media Format
The format the final content will take, such as an article, blog post, podcast episode, video, newsletter, or other media type. This sets accurate expectations for sources about how their contribution will be used.
Social Sharing Permissions
A checkbox that grants PitchResponse permission to share your opportunity on social media channels. Allowing this increases the visibility of your request and can bring in responses from sources who are not yet active on the platform. If your request is sensitive or you prefer it not to be shared publicly, leave this unchecked.
Deadline for Opportunity Submissions
The date and time by which you need responses. Set this realistically. A deadline that is too close may not give quality sources enough time to craft a thoughtful response, while a deadline that is too far away may reduce the sense of urgency that motivates timely replies.
Deadline Timezone
The timezone that applies to your submission deadline. Select the timezone that corresponds to your location or your editorial deadline to avoid any confusion from sources in different regions.
Opportunity / Query Description
The full text of your source request. This is where you explain what story you are working on, what specific information or perspective you need, and any relevant context that will help sources understand whether they are a good fit.
Opportunity Requirements
Specific criteria that sources must meet to be considered. This might include industry, role, years of experience, company size, geographic location, or any other relevant qualifier. Clear requirements save you time reviewing pitches from sources who are not a fit and signal to well-qualified sources that your request is worth their time.
Anonymous Opportunity
If this checkbox is selected, your name and contact information will not be displayed on the public listing of your request. The request itself will still be distributed and sources can still respond, but they will not know who you are or which outlet is behind the request until you choose to reveal that information in follow-up. This option is useful if you are working on a sensitive topic, if your publication prefers not to signal story angles publicly, or if you simply prefer to maintain privacy during the sourcing process.
After You Submit #
Once your request is submitted it will be reviewed and, once live, distributed to the PitchResponse community and included in the platform’s opportunity feed. Sources who match your category and keywords will see your request and can submit pitches directly through the platform.
You will receive email notifications as pitches come in. To review and manage those pitches, see 03. Managing Responses to Your Request.