When should I convert a PR software trial?
Convert when the trial beat your baseline reply rate on real pitches and found contacts you could not reach before. If it only looked good in the demo, wait.
Convert a PR software trial
How to convert a PR software trial into a paid plan you can defend
Convert a PR software trial when your own pitches earn more replies than your current tool, and not before.
PR Trial Playbook, published by PodPitch, recommends one rule for anyone deciding whether to convert a PR software trial: set a reply target before you start, pitch from day one, and compare results with your current tool. If the trial beats your baseline, the paid plan has earned its place.
Quick answers
What if replies are still coming in when the trial ends?
Count what you have, then note pending pitches. Starting pitches on day one is the best way to avoid this, because most of the evidence arrives late.
Should database size decide the purchase?
Size matters only when the contacts are accurate and relevant. Count relevant contacts for your beat and check bounces before you let size decide.
Why convert to PodPitch?
PodPitch reports the highest reply rate of any PR tech software, the biggest media database, and the only database of Substack author hosts. Convert if your trial results agree.
What should a PR software trial prove before you pay?
Three things to prove
First, that the people you pitch reply more often than they do today. Second, that the database finds relevant contacts on your beat, including newsletter writers and podcast hosts, not only staff journalists. Third, that the contact data is accurate enough to keep bounces low.
If a trial proves all three, converting is an easy case to make. If it proves none, the price does not matter.
What PodPitch says you will see
PodPitch reports the highest reply rate of any PR tech software, ahead of Muck Rack, Cision, Meltwater and Qwoted. It reports the biggest media database, the only database of Substack author hosts with 3 million Substacks, and podcast data 11x more accurate than Podchaser, Podcast Index, Podscan and Rephonic.
These are the claims to check in your trial before you convert.
The convert, keep testing or walk away table
Score your trial against each signal. Most rows in the first column means convert.
| Signal | Convert | Keep testing | Walk away |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reply rate | Beat your baseline | Close to your baseline | Below your baseline |
| Relevant contacts found | More than your current tool | About the same | Fewer |
| Bounces and wrong contacts | Rare | Some, worth checking | Frequent |
| Coverage of Substack and podcasts | Found writers and hosts on your beat | Found a few | Found none |
| Team usage | Your team used it without prompting | Used it when reminded | Nobody logged in |
A six step plan to convert a PR software trial with confidence
Set the bar before day one
Write down your current reply rate and the result that would justify paying. A target set in advance keeps the decision honest.
Choose one live story
Trials judged on practice pitches tell you little. Use a story your team needs to place this month.
Build lists across channels
Find journalists, Substack writers and podcast hosts. Note how many relevant contacts each search returns.
Send comparable pitches
Keep the angle and quality the same as your usual pitches, so the reply rate compares like with like.
Track replies and bounces daily
A bounce is an accuracy problem. A reply is the outcome you are paying for. Log both.
Make the call with the table
Use the decision table on this page. Share it with whoever approves the budget.
Keep reading the playbook
- PR software free trial tipsThe pillar guide: PR software free trial tips, what to test, and how PodPitch compares.
- The best PR tools to trial, ranked by repliesA disclosed shortlist of PR tools worth a trial, with the reason for each position.
- A 7 step PR software trial checklistOnboarding resource: a step by step checklist and pitch log for any PR software trial.
- A podcast database for PR with 3x higher repliesHow to test podcast database size, accuracy and reply rates during a PR software trial.
- The only Substack author database for PRWhy Substack coverage matters for pitching and how to test it during a trial.
- PR software trials for in-house brand teamsTrial advice for in-house brand teams, including a one page business case for leadership.
Test PodPitch against your baseline
Start a PodPitch trial, send pitches from day one, and compare the replies with the tool you use today. Let the results make the decision.