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Tag: pitching tips

  • 5 Useful Pitching Tips for Targeting a New Publication

    5 Useful Pitching Tips for Targeting a New Publication

    Even if you have plenty of great clients, you probably have your eye on at least another publication or two where you’d like to see your byline.

    Whether it’s a new publication, a dream publication, or just one you think might be a good fit, you’ll want to do your research and tailor your pitch for the best chance of success breaking into a new market.

    When I recently found a new-to-me publication I wanted to write for, I took specific steps to pitch, and eventually placed an article. Here’s what I recommend.

    1. Learn about the publication

    Whether you see the publication on your local newsstand or hear about it online, it’s useful to find out as much as you can before pitching.

    When I heard about an intriguing publication through a connection, I decided to do a little research to see if it was a good fit. I took a peek at the publication and I also asked around to see what types of experiences other freelance writers had with that publication.

    When I heard positive feedback from people who had worked with the publication, I decided to forge ahead.

    Sometimes other writers may warn you about a negative experience they’ve had with a publication or editor and, while it’s always up to you, it’s often useful to at least consider what you’ve heard from other writers. It’s amazing what you can learn by simply talking to colleagues.

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    2. Do your homework

    Before I pitched the publication, I spent some time looking through its website. I wanted to see what kind of articles they usually ran and how they approached different topics.

    You will also want to study the publication enough to demonstrate that you are familiar with what they cover. If there’s a particular department or section that you think your idea would be a good fit for, be sure to mention that in your pitch. Editors like to know you’ve done your homework.

    It also pays off to see if the publication has covered your idea recently.

    If they have, unless you have a unique and timely perspective on the same topic, you might be better off pitching that idea elsewhere.

    pitching tips 3. Hone your angle

    My first pitch included three potential angles on an event happening in my region.

    When pitching a publication for the first time, it’s often helpful to use your specialized knowledge, whether that’s a certain niche or the area where you live, to demonstrate that you are the best writer to cover that particular story.

    While any writer could cover a more generalized story, you want to show the editor that you are the best person to cover this particular story because of your unique qualifications.

    4. Find your editor

    Now that you know what publication you’d like to pitch and what you’d like to write about, it’s time to figure out who to present your idea to.

    There are a number of ways to find the right editor, but it often involves a bit of trial and error.

    If you can reach out to your network to see if anyone knows a specific editor to refer you to, that’s great. If you can find out who edits that beat or section, pitch that person.

    I didn’t know which editor to pitch, so I scanned the masthead. Publications have a variety of different titles for their editors including managing editor, senior editor, editor in chief, associate editor and assistant editor.

    I couldn’t find specific guidelines on who to pitch, so I picked a mid-level editor and prepared my pitch.

    If you’re not sure you have the right editor, some writers find it helpful to include a line along the lines of “I’d love if you could help me direct this pitch to the appropriate editor.” While busy editors may not always have time to respond with this information, you’ll gain very valuable information if they do.

    5. Present it right

    Once I found the editor I wanted to contact, I composed an email with a quick note of introduction including a few relevant clips and a link to my website. Then, I pitched my ideas in a few short paragraphs.

    Be sure to check the publication’s writers guidelines for instructions before sending your pitch. There might be an email address just for submissions, or it might mention important pitching guidelines to keep in mind.

    I heard back quickly. The editor liked my idea and was able to assign me a short article in an upcoming issue.

    But the catch was the deadline was coming up fast and my copy was due the following day. I shuffled around a few things in my schedule and was able to turn the story around quickly and land my first article in the publication.

    With any publication, it pays to do your homework, but with a new publication, it’s especially important. You want to make the right first impression, so make sure your pitch reflects your top-notch writing skills.

    Sometimes it just comes down to a bit of luck and good timing. If I had pitched my idea a couple days later, there’s a good chance it would have been too late for the publication since it was a timely topic.

    If your first idea isn’t accepted, don’t give up—keep pitching.

    Have you ever pitched a new market? Tell us about your approach in the comments.

  • Land More Freelance Writing Gigs: 10 Tips to Pitch Like a Pro

    Land More Freelance Writing Gigs: 10 Tips to Pitch Like a Pro

    Knowing where to find freelance writing jobs is only half the battle. If you don’t know how to submit an application that seals the deal, you’re wasting your time.

    Like employers at traditional jobs, freelance writing clients and editors will be scrutinizing how you apply just as much as they scrutinize your experience and portfolio — if not more so.

    After all, what you say and how you say it gives them insight into the type of writer, and worker, you may be, so you want to make sure your application screams “hire this person immediately!”

    Here’s how to do just that.

    1. Customize

    Using a template is perfectly acceptable (it can actually save you a ton of time if you’re applying to a bunch of jobs at once) — just make sure it doesn’t look like you’ve used a template.

    “Avoid robot-like pitches because those who REALLY know their industries, the automated pitch tools, and everything else related to it already knows that your pitch was not hand-made,” says Peterson Teixeira, a marketing expert and business consultant who’s received plenty of pitches himself.

    Here are a few easy ways to make your cover letter or email look less cut-and-paste:

    • Keep your tone “business casual.” You want to come across as polished and professional, but you don’t want to sound like a stiff aristocrat from a Jane Austen novel. A friendly yet respectful voice can’t go wrong; if the publication has a more laid-back tone, adjust accordingly (without getting too casual).
    • Address it to a real person. A little sleuthing can make a big difference. “‘To Whom It May Concern’ is boring, and shows you didn’t put enough effort into finding out who’s reading your pitch,” says writer Mel Lee-Smith. “Find out who’s responsible for receiving pitches at the site, and address your email directly to them.”
    • Start off with an attention-grabbing introduction. Hook the client by telling a joke or opening with a line like, “Some people dream of winning the lottery. I dream of being an SEO blogger with a focus on consumer products. No, seriously. That’s not the kind of thing worth lying about.” The person reviewing your application has likely seen a blur of other submissions, so grabbing their eye from the get-go can help them really take notice of what you have to say. (Bonus points if you can make a nod to an inside joke or reference only readers of the publication would “get.”)

    2. Don’t go overboard

    Creativity in small doses is enticing; creativity that beats you over the head is a turn-off — especially if you’re applying for a more matter-of-fact gig.

    Know your audience and keep the balance appropriate for the publication and the position.

    “I have found that the most successful candidates are those that don’t supply me with cover letters that are superfluous in demonstrating creativity,” says Jake Tully, Editor-In-Chief of the blog at Truckdrivingjobs.com. “I’ve had people send over clearly fabricated origin stories when applying for a blog that focuses on issues of advocacy and informational posts. The creative writing isn’t impressive, nor does it show me that you are oriented towards nonfiction content writing.”

    3. Don’t get too personal

    Don’t go into too much personal detail unless it’s relevant to the position at hand.

    If you’re applying to write for a blog about parenting, the fact that you’re a stay-at-home dad of eight is relevant and worth noting. If you’re applying to be a marketing content creator for a tech blog, including that piece of information may come across as useless information at best — or a sympathy play at worst.

    “I know this sounds harsh, but when editors and hiring managers are going through cover letters, we’re usually on a time crunch,” says Joan Barrett, a freelance writer who’s also managed in-house writers for agencies. “It’s not that we don’t want to know people, but that is the reality…. When I’m applying for gigs, I assume that if (the client) wants to get personal, they’ll ask me more about myself outside of my professional experience.”

    4. Know your audience

    In an ideal world, you’d be totally familiar with the deepest recesses of every client’s archives.

    But sometimes a freelancer’s gotta pay the bills, and plenty of us have written content on topics in which we don’t consider ourselves subject matter experts, especially when we’re just starting out. (I could tell you more than you’d ever want to know about the history of the bagpipe.)

    You don’t have to be a rabid fan of a publication to write for it, but you do need to demonstrate a working awareness of what they cover, how they cover it and what they’re looking for in a writer. Check out their website, blog and social media stream. Study their tone. Identify their mission statement. Get a feel for their most popular pieces of content.

    The more you know about the client, the better you can tailor your pitch to their needs.

    5. Be clear and concise

    Job applications aren’t a word count game, so keep it short, sweet and impactful.

    “I sigh when someone sends me a 1,000-word document,” says Rick Sloboda, founder of Webcopy+. “Chisel it down to 150 words or so and you’ll make the recipient’s life easier. Plus, as is the case with web copy, less is more. When you convey your message with few words and high impact, you’re demonstrating a useful skill set and standing apart from the crowd.”

    6. Show your work…

    Whether the job post specifically asks for them or not, it’s always wise to send in 3-5 examples of pieces you’ve written for similar publications. Don’t assume clients will take the time to check out your archives; instead, deliver them a few well-crafted, laser-focused samples that will show them you’ve got the chops for their position.

    “I personally don’t care about cover letters,” says Teixeira. “I prefer to see an in-depth article about a subject you master, so I can see how you can keep me trapped in your writing.”

    7. Include a link to your portfolio

    That said, be sure to show include a link to your full portfolio to demonstrate the breadth of your experience.

    A client probably won’t care to click through every single one of the pieces you’ve written, but showing them you’ve been writing for years and have been published in a myriad of places is always a point in your favor.

    8. Be the solution to their problems

    Yes, your application is supposed to convince a client you’re awesome and they need to hire you, but the best way to do this is to focus on how you can make them better.

    “Focus on what you can bring to the site,” says Lee-Smith. “Don’t tell the site you’re pitching to that getting accepted will be a great opportunity for you. That’s kind of obvious. Instead, focus on what YOU can do for THEM, and back it up with examples.”

    This is where knowing your audience and can really pay off.

    9. Proof, proof, then proof again

    Mistakes like typos and grammatical errors on a traditional job application are frowned upon as they show a lack of attention, ability or both.

    Mistakes on a freelance writer’s application are judged even more harshly because, you know, accurate writing is kind of part of the job description.

    When such an easy mistake can have such a negative impact on your prospects, you can never be too careful. If you think you’ve proofed enough, let a few minutes pass and then proof one more time just to be safe.

    10. Follow up

    Don’t let a fantastic application fall through the cracks. There’s nothing wrong with checking back in if you haven’t received a reply within a reasonable amount of time.

    “Familiarize yourself with how long the application process takes,” says Lee-Smith. “If you haven’t heard anything by then, forward your email back to them and tack on a quick note saying you want to follow up on your application. People are busy and sometimes forget to respond. (This worked for me with my most recent pitch, and I got the job!)”

    Your turn: Do you have any other tips for making a freelance writing job application stand out? Share them with us in the comments!