Sharing Our Stories (SOS)

Sourcing and Pitching Guidelines

• There is no minimum website or Alexa ranking criteria. Our editors reserve the right to restrict or ban anyone who violates these guidelines.  You can confirm that your query has been approved, by visiting the SOS page on blackconnect.com.   If you would like to volunteer to serve as an SOS editor, please sign-up.  If you have a question, please email sos@blackconnect.com.

• Media Outlet means any form of media including TV, Radio, Online, Newspaper, Podcast, Blog, Book in any medium (print, audio, visual, digital, electronic, online).

• Members of Black Connect may submit unlimited source requests per day.  Non-members may submit one source request per day. Black Connect, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  Your dues are tax-deductible and help us expand our programs and services. We invite you to become a member. 

• You must have a fully launched website or have blogs, articles, or podcasts published on BlackConnect.com.

• You may not ask a source for any type of compensation of monetary value for the source to appear in your media outlet.

• You must include your full name and accurate contact information as requested in the Source Request Form.  Your contact information will not be published if you choose to remain anonymous. This information will used to contact you if there is a problem or question about your source request and to send you updates and notices regarding SOS.

• You must include the name of your publication.  If you do not want the name of your outlet published, please check the “Anonymous” box in the Source Request Form. Outlets may only remain anonymous to prevent spam, harassment, story leaks, and poaching.

• You must give proper credit to the source once the content is published.

• You may not ask respondents to submit information via a link, comment on content or take a survey.

• Gift bag source requests may be submitted only by non-profit organizations.  Your organization may only request items for a single, in-person event (no online events or giveaways) and must list in the source request the name, date and description of the event, including information on the attendees. Also include the quantity desired. You cannot ask for event sponsorship, nor charge a fee for gift bag inclusion.

• Source requests for product samples are only accepted from reporters representing TV stations and verified print and online media. Any products you receive must be returned to the sender at your expense. We recommend that food products not be requested and that beauty products not be returned.

• Requests for event or conference speakers are not permitted.  Such requests may be posted in the Community Share Group on blackconnect.com.

• You may not ask for prerecorded audio or video.  You may ask that sources appear in a video that will be recorded by you.  You must credit the source of any audio or video.

• Source requests for reviews are not accepted, i.e. - book reviews or product reviews.

• You must report any source that appears to be spamming you with off-topic pitches or harassing you by forwarding the emails to sos@blackconnect.com.

• You must disclose your outlet and final story link(s) to the source(s) included in the story.

• You may not submit the same source request more than once per week.

GUIDELINES FOR PITCHING

Black Connect reserves the right to take appropriate action should a member violate these rules. If you have questions regarding the SOS rules, please contact sos@blackconnect.com.

• Source Requests from media outlets will be sent in one daily email and posted on the SOS page on blackconnect.com. 

• You may only respond to Source Requests by submitting this form.

• Do not spam media outlets with off-topic pitches or harvest information contained in Source Requests for any reason or purpose.

• Do not pitch products unless the source request specifically asks for a product.

• You may share Source Requests to others via email or social media. However, anyone who submits a pitch must be a paid member of Black Connect, Inc. or their pitch will be discarded. Black Connect, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  Membership dues are tax-deductible and help us expand our programs and services. We invite everyone to become a member. 

• Your pitch should be relevant to the subject and provide complete information.

• Include a short bio and your contact information.

• If you are a public relations professional replying on behalf of your client, include your client’s full and complete response.

• Attachments are not accepted.  Provide a link to relevant information in your pitch.

• Please report any inappropriate or unethical activity by any media outlet to sos@blackconnect.com.

Don't be discouraged if you don't hear from the media outlet.  

Your story is important.  Keep sharing your truth!