– Lynnette Lounsbury
Pitching your wor
k to an editor can be one of the most intimidating things you will ever do as a writer. Not quite as bad as sending your manuscript to a publisher – but close. We are sensitive creatures – we writers, and putting ourselves in the hands of someone we cannot see or talk to is terrifying. Selling yourself and your ideas is also a skill set – one that writer’s, who, by the very nature of writing, can be quite solitary, introverted creatures, don’t always naturally have.
Selling your work is a skill that can be learned. Thick skin can also be learned. Both of these lessons sound painful, but they don’t have to be. Editors are people too, treat them as such, and you will be rewarded with polite and useful feedback.
Here are some quick tips to get your started:
1. Read the publication thoroughly and if possible look at a couple of editions. What sort of articles are they publishing? What sort of writing style do they use? Is it long narrative stories, short punchy news articles, how-to articles with lots of breakouts? Make sure your pitch SUITS THE MAGAZINE. Also check that they haven’t published anything similar in the last few issues. I have had to reject, or put a hold on articles simply because we can’t publish five or six Thailand pieces in a row.
2. Find out the submission guidelines. Look in the front of the magazine or on their website to see what the submission guidelines are. Some magazine want you to send an entire article for approval. Others want an idea. Make sure you give them exactly what they ask for and send it to the right person. If they have a style guide, read it carefully. Follow it to the letter. Here is Ytravel’s style guide as an example:
YTravel: A blog written by and aimed at Generation Y travellers. Age focus – 18-35. Readers will be mostly students or entry level professionals, low income, looking for bargains. This demographic wants something different, off the beaten track and is concerned about eco travel. Your writing should be casual, personal and punchy. We have several recurring themes: adventure travel, ecotourism, voluntourism and Geek travel. Articles are not overviews of a country or place – they are about the details. Eg. A trip to South Africa – the article make discuss only a hike up Table Mountain, or the local foods, or a wildlife park, but not all three. Most articles will be about 500-750 words in length. Focus should be adventure and unusual travel. Ytravel also publishes photo essays of up to 10 high quality photos with blurbs.
3. Plan your article idea in detail. What do you want to write about? Write a summary and then think up a great headline. Are you providing pictures? If so attach a couple of examples. Will you be using academic references or sources? If so give a couple of examples. How many words approximately do you foresee it being (the editor will give you a final amount) and when can you have the article done (the editor will give you a final deadline but if you can turn it around in a week, it will be promising to them.)
4. Write your pitch as a personal email. Find out the name of the editor and write directly to them. Do not be over-familiar – in this case the editor is considering hiring you so they are YOUR BOSS. Be respectful. Do not fill your letter with flattery however, simply get to the point.
5. Add a few of your details that are relevant: If it is a hiking magazine and you recently did Base Camp, mention it. If it is a health magazine and you are studying acupuncture – mention it. If you are a WRITING STUDENT – mention it. If you have any published work whatsoever (of good quality) attach a sample as a tearsheet. Editors are much more interested in seeing your writing than in hearing that you got a good mark in English.
There are plenty of other articles out there about pitching, so if you need more information, take a look at some of these: