You are a freelance writer trying to get you work published in different magazines. Yet no one is accepting your submissions. It’s frustrating to be sure. More than likely, the problem lies in not knowing how to write a catchy pitch that captures the attention of the editor. Writing a good pitch is essential to getting published. Here is a step-by-step guide to writing a great email pitch that editors will read and want to publish your work.
Things to consider if you haven’t yet written an article
If you have an article idea but haven’t quite written it yet. There are a couple of things you need to do before you write your pitch. The most important one being do your research. If you want to write an article about trout fishing, trying to pitch that idea to the editors of Vanity Fair is an unbelievably bad idea. “Spend time considering who your target audience is and what publications they are most likely reading, and craft your email pitch to the relevant publication editors” says Joleen Ferron, a writer at Ukservicesreviews.com and Simplegrad.com.
The next step is to find the submission guide for your chosen publication and use that to help you write your article. Keep referring back to it as you write your article, making sure you follow it to the letter. After you have finished writing, while you are proofreading the article, go back to the submission guide and double-check that you have included everything listed in the submission guide.
Writing The Email Pitch.
So, now you have decided on which publication, or several publications and you know how to write your article, it’s time to make your pitch. The most common way of pitching to editors these days is by email. Here are several key ideas to keep in mind.
1. Keep the email pitch simple and to the point.
Editors get hundred of emails daily with pitches for different articles from freelance writers. If they don’t know you by name, or your subject line isn’t succinct and eye-catching they will skip right over your pitch.
Include your story topic in the subject line. The body of your pitch email should include the following:
- Proposed writing format- is it a personal essay? Is it an opinion piece?
- A working title
- Planned sources
- A written elevator pitch- a summary of your pitch so direct that you can relay it to another person during a short elevator ride.
2. Offer a proposed deadline with your article idea.
Even though there is no guarantee you will land the job, being dependable is just as important. Include a proposed deadline with your pitch and if accepted, definitely follow-through.
3. Provide the editor with a hook.
In your email, include a reason or two why someone would want to read your article. If you have a target readership, it’s worth point them out. Magazines today know their brand via subscriber data, so if your story aligns with their audience, your pitch has a higher chance of being successful.
4. Include links to your writing samples.
Potential employers are not likely to hire you on a great pitch alone. “It’s important to provide an example of a past completed piece with your by-line” explains Victor Parker, a blogger at Bestaustralianwriters.com and Topcanadianwriters.com. If you are including any examples that are unpublished, make sure you give them a second glance, correcting any typos or grammatical errors.
5. Wait a few weeks, then follow-up.
Don’t badger your potential new boss. Editors are human beings, and they to can fall behind with their work. Give them some time to catch up. Wait two weeks, then follow-up with a short polite email, asking if they have had time to review your work. If you still don’t get a response, try giving them a call, although most editors prefer emails. Sometimes, you won’t get a response at all. In those cases, it might be best to pursue other avenues.
These five suggestions will help you land more freelance writing gigs. Your email pitches will not go unnoticed, and editors will publish your work.
Emily Henry writes for Assignment writing service and Essay Services. She is enthusiastic about educating her readers on their rights and helps them find representation. Emily is also an editor at Boomessays Review.
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