Tired of rejection? Here are seven pitches that are likely to net you an assignment.
- Fillers- Ok, in all fairness, you don’t really have to pitch a filler with a separate query and etc. Instead, simply include the filler copy in your letter. Fillers are likely to land you an assignment because they’re more open to new writers and there are simply more of them available.
- Date-Based Pitches- If it’s National Day of Green Buttons (or whatnot), and you’ve got a pitch about green buttons that you can slam out of the park, well, you’re likely to land that assignment. Keep in mind that writing for magazines is journalistic writing, and you’ll understand why those fresh ideas are exactly what editors want.
- Pitches Based on the Editorial Calendar- Look, that editorial calendar is a lot of work to put together. Use it to successfully target your queries.
- Pitches Responding to a Call for Submissions- I recently spoke to an editor who told me “I know I’m going to get a lot of submissions with this call, but I have no choice- we’ve been on hiatus for a year, and have 2 issues to fill.” If that doesn’t scream “opportunity” I don’t know what does!
- Pitches With Extras- Offer to save an editor work and time by providing high quality photos or well-researched sidebar, and they’ll probably look twice.
- Big Name Pitches- If you know a heavyweight in the industry, by all means, use that connection!
- Perfect Pitches- Yes, this one is obvious, but keep in mind that most editors can tell the difference between a writer throwing an idea out there and a writer who has sat down and outlined their article, sidebar, quotes and subheads in preparation for the perfect pitch.
Now, play ball.
