Pitch Me: Tamara Graham

By on September 30th, 2008 In ValleySource

Name: Tamara Graham
Title: Editor-in-Chief
Outlet: True Genius Magazine (online magazine): www.truegeniusmagazine.com
Phone: 480.471.5782
Email

1. What are your main daily duties?
On any given day you’ll find me interviewing, screening story submissions and researching and writing content for the magazine.

2. What kinds of stories are you looking for?
We seek stories about the good that is happening in the world—especially when it comes to people finding their “true genius.”

For our Genius Kids category we seek stories that are all about young people who are doing incredible things (going above and beyond) to help change the world and make it a richer place for all of us to live. We also feature Athletic Geniuses which are stories about kids who are sports phenoms.

For our Creative Genius category we seek stories on independent artists in a variety of genres (and from all age groups), including music, movies, fashion, writing and art.

For our Environmental Features we seek stories regarding environmental issues. This can include cutting edge technologies, alternative energies, companies and people who are inventing new ways of doing things, etc. With this, we also focus on new studies that show old ways or mainstream ways of going green aren’t always the best for the environment and what we can do instead. We’re not interested in bandwagons or “pseudo environmentalism,” as we like to call it.

For our Genius Products category we seek stories on products that we cannot live without or are considered simply brilliant. These may or may not have an environmental focus.

For our Genius Companies category we week stories on companies that go above and beyond to make our world a better place, support their customers and are very involved within the community—whether it be locally, nationally or internationally. We do not seek stories about companies that tout what it does that falls within regulations (that which they are legally required to do but want widespread recognition for it as a proactive move), but those who recognize the need to do good and are proactive in doing it.

For our Genius Charity category we seek stories on charities that are working to become obsolete because they are truly meeting the needs of the community they serve. They must also give at least 90% of their revenue to the program with 10% or less to administrative costs.

For our Matters of the Self category we seek stories that are about self improvement, motivation and self discovery.

We also have a Health & Fitness category where we seek stories about health and fitness in addition to a Culinary Genius category where we publish recipes that are easy and healthy enough for kids to get involved in the kitchen and their own nutrition. The recipes are delicious enough for any age group.

We also seek opinion pieces that fall within the theme of our magazine as well as guest articles from experts or authors that fit with our overall theme.

3. What’s the best way to approach you with a pitch?
Via e-mail first and then I’ll follow-up to schedule a time to chat if I’m interested. You will receive an e-mailed response from me either way.

4. What recommendations do you have for PR professionals?
If you’re not sure if your clients’ story meets the needs of the publication, follow-up with the publication for clarification before sending a long email with a lot of information that isn’t relevant.

5. What’s the strangest/weirdest pitch you’ve ever received?
Given the content of our magazine, I haven’t received a strange or weird pitch – yet. However, I’ve received long emails with a lot of information on topics that didn’t fit with our content. I’ve also been pitched by a lot of parents who want us to highlight their children because they get straight As and are smart. Though that is great, our focus is on those who are going above and beyond.

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