Writing award submissions can feel overwhelming, a bit like being dropped into a chemistry lab without the formula. But unlike the Breaking Bad protagonist, Walter White, you don’t need to improvise under pressure. With the right steps, the process can be structured, simple, and successful.

Insider advice from PR pros who’ve sat on both sides of the inbox. If you’ve ever fired off a media pitch and heard nothing but crickets, you’re not alone. We’ve seen it all and we’ll be the first to tell you that a journalist ignoring you isn’t being rude.