A Beginner’s Guide To Pitching Article Ideas, According To A Professional Freelance Writer
'Sometimes, pitching isn’t about landing the story but simply becoming familiar with the editors and the overall process.'
Welcome to the Collective World Careers Newsletter. Collective World is a one-of-a-kind creative network powered by the minds and voices behind The Thought & Expression Company. We’re so glad you’re here.
Today, we’re talking to writer Molly Burford about freelancing and how to send a pitch like you mean it. Molly’s work can be found on Cosmopolitan, The Spruce, Allure, Teen Vogue, Verywell Health, Glamour, The Financial Diet, and SELF, along with Thought Catalog and Collective World.
Tip 1: Ask the right questions
First, determine whether the publication and its audience are a match for the story you want to write. For example, an article about almost relationships wouldn’t make sense for Creepy Catalog but it would make sense for Collective World!
That said, to figure out if a story is appropriate for a particular pub, ask and answer the following question:
Does this story make sense for this publication and its readers? Why or why not?
The “why” is the most important component of this question. Why does your story matter to the readers? What’s the readers’ takeaway? Why should they care?
As well, where does your article fit into that particular publication (i.e. section or vertical)? Have they published something too similar recently?
If you can answer these questions and defend your story, it’s time to pitch. If not, think about other places that might be a better home.
Tip 2: Have a pitch email template
When pitching, having a basic email template can be helpful. Mine looks like the following:
Hi [Editor’s Name]!
My name is Molly Burford, a freelance wellness writer who has been published in Allure, Cosmopolitan, Teen Vogue, SELF, Thought Catalog, and others. You can find samples of my work here. I had a story idea for [publication you’re pitching] I would love to share with you. Idea below:
[Basic headline idea]
[A paragraph or so describing your idea.]
Please let me know if you think this would be a good fit for [Publication Name].
Thank you!
Best,
Molly Burford
On that note, do not send full essays or articles unless explicitly asked. It’s a pitch!
Tip 3: Always follow up once
For evergreen stories, about two weeks after sending the pitch is appropriate. (A week is okay for more timely pieces.) Most editors’ inboxes are a nightmare, so it’s possible your email got lost in the shuffle. So, don’t be afraid to follow up once. In fact, I’ve landed stories I would not have had I not followed up!
A follow up email looks like the following:
Hi [Editor Name]!
I hope you’ve been well. I wanted to follow up quickly on my pitch and see if you thought it would be a good fit.
Thank so much for your consideration!
Best,
Molly Burford
Sometimes, your editor likes your concept but needs it to be tweaked a bit (see above). Be willing to be collaborative with editors! Because it turns into a byline and you can take your original idea somewhere else.
If the editor does not reply to your follow-up, that means no and you need to move your idea elsewhere. And that’s okay!
Tip 4: Please be polite
Editors are people, too. Always greet the editor by their name and introduce yourself before diving into your pitch. Manners matter more than you think!
Tip 5: Remember: It’s nothing personal
Rejections are going to happen. Sometimes, everything from budget constraints to the editor’s preferences are the reason you hear “no.” Usually, it’s nothing personal.
Before I came back to TC, I pitched former Site Manager Kendra Syrdal some ideas and received the following back:
See? Usually, nothing personal!
Sometimes, pitching isn’t about landing the story but simply becoming familiar with the editors and the overall process. Don’t be afraid to hear no.
For more from Molly, check her out Instagram and Collective World.