Pitch-Perfect: How to Land Your Dream Assignment

As an aspiring writer, publishing your work is now easier than ever in this web-based content economy. However, due to the influx of online media outlets and the ease associated with breaking into the industry, there is plenty of competition among skilled writers. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but the truth is, your amazing idea will never hit the page if you don’t pitch it well.

Trying to get an editor to notice your work, read your pitch and act on it? Continue on to learn more about pitch-perfect tips to help you secure your byline!

What is a pitch?

A pitch is a strong proposal that resonates with an editor and secures you an assignment. Oftentimes, nonfiction articles, even the creative kind, are negotiated before they are written. So, instead of trying to sell something you’ve already created – with a voice and style as unique as yours – take a look at the magazine or website for which you hope to write. Each will have a personality all its own, and an editor will want you to know it – and emulate it. Many sites offer writer and submission guidelines on their websites. According to Slate, you should Google your idea before you pitch it.

“It may seem like a no-brainer, but often we reject a pitch because the writer’s argument doesn’t feel fresh or original. A brief search for other articles on your proposed subject can go a long way to figuring out what’s been written about it, so you can avoid pitching something that feels familiar.”

Every outlet has its own set of rules to follow, so if you think you’re ready to pitch that big idea, your first step is to browse that outlet’s website, or pick up the latest edition of a magazine, and read it. Seriously, actually read it!

The Framework of Your Pitch  

In all my years of pitching and teaching others how to pitch, I find that the simple Writer Guidelines from Psychology Today say it best. According to the outlet, you should send an email query explaining:

• What you want to write.

• Why you want to write it now.

• Why you should be the one to write it.

Additionally, Psychology Today encourages its writers to tell them why – and how – a story will change the lives of others.

The Importance of a Timely Story Pitch

There are a couple of keywords to unpack within these guidelines. For instance, “Why you want to write it now.” The “now” is crucial to selling any story. Publications want to be on-trend. They want to be part of the current conversation brought to the top of every Google search, not following some other site’s more current news. In order for a publication to be the publication for readers to turn to, it needs to have the most current material on any given subject matter.

How to Prove You Are the Best Writer for the Story

Next, why are you the best writer for this assignment? Take this article idea as an example: “Why Immigrants Need to Vote in 2020.” This could make for a fantastic on-trend, controversial article that many U.S. outlets would be interested in publishing. Now, add to your pitch that you are a first-generation American. You might even have a few relatives struggling for citizenship. In other words, you have first-hand knowledge that many people in our country may not know already. This includes those currently reading this particular publication, those who don’t currently read this publication and those who may become new readers.

This makes you more of an expert on the topic than most other writers. Your personal experience, understanding or knowledge about a topic is paramount to a successful pitch. Who you are matters!

Placing the Article

Now that you understand the mission of your hopeful publication, make the editor’s job easy. Tell him or her exactly where your article fits in, whom the article will reach and why those readers will want to read your article. If you are writing in response to a previous article, all the better. Point this in information out. Find a specific reason a certain editor will want your story in the pages of his or her publication.

Key Elements to Bookmark for Your Pitch

There are a few key elements your pitch should absolutely include. Think about making a generic pitch containing these elements, and use it as a starting point for every future pitch you write, customizing it as you go. Keep in mind to:

1. Use a direct greeting: “Dear Editors,” for example, should become “Dear Jon Smith, Culture Editor.” If you don’t know the name of the editor you want to pitch, do the research. Oftentimes, section editors are listed in the masthead; sometimes with direct emails. Score! It’s always a good idea to email an editor directly. Submitting to a generic submission manager is as good as throwing your pitch in a trashcan. If an editor has a Twitter account, and many often do, use that a pitching platform, too!
2. Outline the specifics in your opening: Your opening paragraph, if not your first sentence, should include your proposed word count and title. “My 500- to 1,000-word article, tentatively titled, ‘When Pigs Fly…’”
3. Simplify the pitch content: Delete all those lines that say, “X presented me with many challenges,” or “Y is something many people encounter…” Those challenges and encounters are things that everyone is experiencing and are too generic and too vague for a pitch. Your story will outline those challenges.
4. Craft a strong subject: The subject line of your email is just as important as a clickable headline. Make an editor want to read your pitch. Then, make sure that the editor knows how to get in touch with you by including your contact information at the end of your email.
5. Don’t include attachments: This is an important rule to follow, unless you are specifically asked to send an enclosure. Some editors will simply delete any email with an attachment, just so they don’t get a computer virus. If an editor likes your pitch, he or she will ask for your work and request the formatting accordingly.
6. Include a short bio: Author a two-to-three sentence bio at the end of your pitch. If you have past published works, include a link, or “clip,” to a couple of your favorites. Don’t include content in your bio that makes you sound anything but an expert in your field. “I’m a college senior who has never published before,” is an extremely weak way to sell yourself. Instead, “After four years studying microbiology, I have come to find…” See how this makes you stand out as an expert?
7. Include your website: If you have a personal website or a link to your digital portfolio, make sure to include this information. If you do not have either, make sure to send your LinkedIn profile. Note: Editors will Google you.

What if I already have a completed article?

There’s been debate surrounding which comes first, a publication’s assignment (chicken) or the big idea (egg). While that can depend on how the writer works best, or how the writer gets words on the page, many veteran essayists will tell you to know your worth. If you write without direction, you may have to produce a rewrite to fit the publication’s tone, length or intended audience – which means twice the work for one paycheck. However, an editor who sees a completed work exists, on a topic that fits the bill, may just say to send it on over.

Among a sea of pitches, maybe a finished article will be the thing that gets you noticed. My personal opinion? If you’ve got an idea that is itching to be written, write it. You have a good chance of placing it with an outlet where your voice makes sense. Otherwise, get an assignment first. No one says it must go one way or the other.

What happens after I pitch?

Editors get swamped. They go on vacation and maternity leave and get sick. If you haven’t heard back in a week, especially if your pitch is time-sensitive, send a follow-up email.

If you do get your pitch accepted (hip, hip hooray!!!), find out what the publication pays in advance, and make sure you’re getting what’s expected. You should always ask for a contract – and should read through it to see how many (and how long) the outlet has rights to your work. If the publication doesn’t automatically send an agreement, ask!

Now that you’ve learned how to land a story, it’s time to start pitching. Good Luck!

If you are an aspiring writer and want to learn about a specific niche, take some time to learn the ropes. Block Media Worldwide offers writer training for those interested in hands-on lesson plans and one-on-one critiques!