Pitch Perfect: 4 Steps For Independent Writers To Improve Pitching Skills & Connect With More Editors

Pitch Perfect: 4 Ways For Freelance Journalists To Get Noticed, Get Responses, and Get Commissions

As an independent writer, it’s hard to get noticed by an editor, or to get your foot in the door of a publication for the first time.

Similarly, if you have been a staff writer in-house for many years and are now embarking on a freelance adventure, it can be hard to build a completely new network.

Below are some tips and considerations for pitching to editors and for building professional relationships.

BONUS MATERIAL

For those who make it to the end, we have a pitch template and checklist, which should help you structure your pitches more easily and secure more commissions.

1. What Do Editors Want?
After spending months on end speaking to dozens of editors, on dozens of desks, in dozens of countries, we’ve condensed and compiled the key learnings into one place.

The aim was to understand what editors look for in any inbound pitches coming from freelance writers. If writers improve their pitch, this improves the likelihood of getting a response, and there by increases the chances of securing a commission.

The feedback we get from editors is three-fold:
Not enough time in the day to sort through so many pitches, whether good, bad or indifferent
Many pitches are irrelevant to their desk or publication, with little thought given to narrative, trajectory or relevance
Many of the pitches received are too broad-based or too generic

Lesson for writers when pitching: be concise and precise.

2. How Did You Follow-Up?

Editors regularly look for any potential updates or progressions to the original piece. Be honest, how often do you follow up on commissioned pitches, with more pitches on the same subject?

Many journalists do not follow up effectively, and therefore, they lose out on the low-hanging fruit of follow up commissions from a single story.

If an editor commissions a story, they will often want more coverage from the fall-out, the reaction, the continuation, etc.

Follow up, keep pitching!

3. A Numbers Game: Get More Repetitions Under The Belt

This has been our philosophy since launching Writers’ Bloc, and carries over to many other situations.

The more you pitch, the more commissions you will find. It’s that simple.

While any individual journalist may or may not got one idea noticed at one point in time, the more pitches you send, the more visibility you will achieve.

Visibility is crucial – if they can’t see you or find you, they can’t commission you.

Therefore, increase the reps – pitch more often.

If you have a story you want published, send us your pitch.

What does Writers’ Bloc Do? (Warning: Shameless Plug)

Writers’ Bloc will distribute your pitch to our global network of 800+ English-language magazines and newspapers.

It means editors are directly receiving your stories, based on match criteria, which they are more likely to see and, ultimately, to commission.

The purpose of this is for writers to build consistent relationships with multiple editors, to pitch the editors stories suited to their specific audience, and to increase the likelihood of securing a commission for writers.

4. Not Always the Big Picture – Niche is Nice

While global events are, of course, of huge interest to everyone, don’t be turned-off by smaller stories with a local interest.

Editors regularly ask for local stories with a unique hook, specific to their audience.

So, while stories covering the likes of the World Cup, the Ukraine invasion and the war in Gaza will find a market, so too will pitches with a unique angle and interesting perspective.

Stay away from the generic, wire news stories that anyone can buy, and is not exclusive content.

BONUS MATERIAL

Pitch Template: Below, as promised, is an easy-to-use template that represents an ideal pitch, based on what editors have specified.

Headline Hook

The hook needs to be catchy. A brief sentence that grabs attention, is instantly informative, and sells the story.

Pitch Length

Be concise & precise.

Ideally less than 150 words; enough to whet the appetite, but not so much detail that loses the editors’ attention.

Pitch Content

Ask yourself simple questions that editors would ask. Include the answers in the text.
What’s the narrative, the story?
Why does it matter to them, why should they care?
Why would it fit their audience / readership?
What’s your plan? Briefly, who you will speak to, the sources, and story direction?
Why are you the best person to write this story?
What’s the word-count?
When can you file by?

A Line About Yourself

Finish strong with a single line about yourself.
Include:
Your Name
Location
Areas/Subjects Covered
Awards/Accolades Won

Got a pitch? Send it here – we’d love to hear it!

Want to learn more?

Come visit our blog, where we post advice for journalists and for publishers about how to improve commercial prospects for everyone.