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1stPass: Start Strong.
You wrote the op-ed, but the hook feels off.
You drafted the awards entry, but something's missing.
You outlined the panel, but you're not sure it's compelling.
You rewrote your pitch, but journalists aren't responding.
You updated your website, but you're not sure it's actually working.
You workshopped your messaging, but it still sounds like everyone else.
You might be stuck. And you don't have time to stay stuck.
You might be really close. But you're not sure how close. It's possible that you feel great about what you've done. And it's about one last look.
No matter where you are, that's what 1stPass is for.
We give you a second set of eyes—both AI and human—to spot what you're too close to see. We analyze your work against proven frameworks, identify what's working and what's not, show you the specific fixes that will make the biggest difference, and give you clear next steps so you can move forward with confidence.
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6 Tools to Help You Move Forward
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Pitch Pilot
You set up a press pitch—for your agency or a client—but something isn't connecting.
The angle feels flat. Your subject line gets ignored. You're not sure if the story is actually newsworthy or just interesting to you.
What you submit
Your pitch draft, key story details, and what makes this news right now.
What you get back
- Newsworthiness assessment based on what trade journalists cover
- What's not working—weak hook, buried lede, missing context, timing issues
- Refined pitch angles that connect your story to industry trends
- Subject line options tested against patterns that get opened
- Quick fixes vs. strategic repositioning—can you save this pitch or do you need a new angle?
Why this helps
Journalists ignore most pitches in under 10 seconds. We help you understand what they're looking for.
Join to AccessOp-Ed Optimizer
You—or your CEO—wrote a thought leadership piece, but you're not sure if it's ready.
Maybe it reads too much like a pitch. Maybe the argument wanders. Maybe you're not sure if the topic even matters right now.
What you submit
The draft op-ed, the general topic area, and what you're hoping to accomplish.
What you get back
- Quality assessment across categories publications care about
- The specific issues affecting your chances—promotional language, weak sourcing, unclear argument, no news hook
- Top 5 priority fixes ranked by impact—what to tackle first vs. what can wait
- Specific before/after language examples you can use
- Strategic guidance on whether this needs minor edits or a bigger reframe
Why this helps
Most op-eds get rejected because they violate basic editorial standards, not because the ideas are bad. We show you what editors see and what needs fixing.
Join to AccessAwards Optimizer
You drafted an awards entry, but something doesn't feel right.
You're not sure if you're bragging too much or not enough. Your evidence feels thin. The story doesn't flow.
What you submit
Your draft entry, supporting materials, and which award programs and categories you're targeting.
What you get back
- Storytelling strength assessment across the elements judges score
- Where your evidence needs work—vague claims, missing metrics, no proof of impact
- How to differentiate from other entries saying similar things
- Tone calibration—are you underselling your work or coming across as inflated?
- Section-by-section improvements with specific language you can use
Why this helps
Judges read entries fast and compare you to everyone else in the category. We show you how to make your story clearer and your evidence stronger.
Join to AccessPanel Pilot
You're building a panel discussion—for a conference pitch or an event you're hosting—but you're not sure you're heading in the right direction.
Maybe your topic feels too broad. Maybe your speakers aren't the right mix. Maybe your description doesn't capture why people should care.
What you submit
Your panel idea, proposed speakers, and the conferences you're targeting (or context about your own event).
What you get back
- Three-tier proposal strategy—"easy win" panels with your current network, "moderate ambition" trending topics, and "moonshot" potential ideas
- Newsworthiness scoring that shows if your topic feels urgent or stale right now
- Conference fit analysis—is your proposal right for their format, audience, and programming style?
- Speaker configuration advice—who should moderate, who should be added, what dynamics work
- Title and description rewrites optimized for how conference committees review
Why this helps
Conference programmers review hundreds of proposals. We help you understand what might make yours stand out.
Join to AccessWebsite Optimizer
Your site looks good, but you're not sure it's actually working.
You know something's off, but you can't tell if it's messaging, case studies, or how you're presenting your work. More importantly, you're not sure if marketers and search consultants are staying on your site long enough to actually consider you.
What you submit
Your website URL and context about who you're trying to reach—CMOs, consultants, specific industries.
What you get back
- Evaluation across functionality, differentiation, content quality, and self-indulgence
- Issues that might cause people to bounce—broken links, unclear positioning, missing case studies
- What evaluators look for—clarity, proof, and relevance (not just beautiful design)
- Self-indulgence check—where you're talking about yourself when you should be addressing client needs
- Top 5 priority fixes that could improve how your site performs and keep visitors engaged beyond the first five seconds
Why this helps
Search consultants and CMOs visit your site with specific questions. If they can't find answers fast, they move on. We show you what might be creating friction and what keeps people interested.
Join to AccessMessaging Optimizer
Your messaging feels muddled and sounds like everyone else.
You keep using words like "innovative" and "strategic." Your value prop could describe twenty other agencies. This could be external messaging—homepage copy, positioning statements—or internal communications to your team.
What you submit
Your current messaging (external or internal), context about your audience, and what you're trying to accomplish.
What you get back
- Messaging effectiveness assessment across clarity, audience relevance, credibility, and red flags
- What might not be landing—generic claims, inside-out language, no proof points, unclear audience
- Credibility gaps that could create skepticism—unproven claims, vague benefits, buzzword overload
- Specific rewrites with before/after examples you can implement
- Differentiation analysis—what could only you say vs. what anyone could claim?
Why this helps
Your audience decides if you're worth their time in seconds. Clear, credible messaging makes the difference.
Join to AccessHow It Works
Submit what you've got
Doesn't need to be perfect. That's the point.
AI analyzes it
Catches clarity issues, missing evidence, and patterns that don't work.
Human expert reviews
Adds strategic context, competitive insights, and solutions AI misses.
Complete analysis
Score, specific issues, improvements you can use, real examples. Clear next steps.
How This Helps
You're not starting over.
You're improving what you've already built.
You get clear direction.
You know what to fix and why it matters.
It's fast.
24-48 hours beats weeks of second-guessing or waiting for internal reviews.
It keeps the human touch.
AI speeds things up. Humans make sure it's right for your situation.
It doesn't add to your workload.
No learning curve. No new platform to master. Submit, get feedback, move forward.
Don't see what you need here?
Schedule a member success sprint with us.
Join to Book Your SprintAny questions?
We're here to help you figure out which tool is right for your situation.
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