How Many Pitches Are You Putting Out There?
Sunday September 28, 2008
As many of you may have read, this reader wasn't having any luck with their queries to magazines back in the Spring. Yesterday I got another writer with the same problem, and have expounded on three more reasons your pitch may not be working.
I know this is a tough nut to crack, and I know the rejections are annoying. But, it's not impossible- I swear. If at all possible, go for volume. Send out a spate of 10 to 15 well-written, well-aimed pitches in one weekend. Cover your bases, increase your odds. If you give up, you will never be printed. It's as simple as that.
Are you successfully getting published? I'd like to know how many pitches you send out in a month.
Comments
I don’t know: I’ve landed a few articles in national magazines right away but I suppose I did have communications/writing experience under my belt and I studied the publications thoroughly before submitting.
You’ve got to come up with a unique, interesting idea that suits the pub, craft the query perfectly and follow-up politely after two weeks if you don’t hear back.
HI Allena,
I ususally apply to five writing jobs monthly because I have a full-time day job. Sometimes I get a bite, sometimes not. But, the key is to keep on trying. Great post. I will work on getting 10 great queries out. Thanks for the advice.
Hi Allena,
I seem to get quite a good response from my queries, but I put a lot of work into them. I will try to read back issues, see what subjects have been covered recently, familiarise myself with the various departments or sections, and then try to be really specific in my pitch. I also use the approach of beginning the query with the first paragraph of the article, if that holds their interest the chances are their readers will like it too. I finish with specific commitments to word legnth and deadline so that the editor knows that I have planned ahead.