Find the video here.
Ian Chandler, https://
https://www.linkedin.com/in/
"How to Win Over an Editor in 150 Words or Less." 150 words that propose that you write an article for a publication. It's done by email. "I want to write an article for you. Here is what it is about. And here's a little about me." A pitch is not an entire article.
Why 150 words? Editors are really busy. Most don't like reading pitches. Long enough to communicate your idea. What do you want to accomplish?
1. Demonstrate a clear understanding of the publication.
2. Demonstrate your ability to write clearly and concisely that synthesize a lot of information.
3. Prove that you're qualified to write the article. Concisely, clearly, on-target with your topic, show that you're easy to work with.
4. Communicate your idea for the article.
5. Invite the editor to respond to your pitch.
Think about the 2 audiences you’ll be reaching: the
audience of the publication. How does
the information relate to their life? Is
it valuable? Is it actionable? Consequential?
The Readers:
What role will the article serve in their life? Is it practical information or written to
entertain? What specific outcomes or
experiences will the reader have? Think of
readers the way editors think about readers.
The Editor
Editors need articles to publish. They have a publishing schedule. Deadlines. They’re busy. They need competent writers who can submit polished articles that meet their specific needs. Most of the editors can write the articles themselves, but they don't want to; they don't have the time. They'd rather. Paid Publishing Guide Book.
The Paid Publishing Guidebook. A free copy is available.
The Writing Launch Database (1800 Publishers)
Google Search
Twitter. Follow editors of publications that you're interested in on Twitter. If you're following an editor, you'll be more aware of the types of articles they need.
Ask for Help (Find a mentor, network, etc.) from someone more experienced than you.
PUBLICATION
Send a pitch to a publication that works with freelance writers. For example, the New Yorker does work with freelance writers. They work with an FW once every 5 years.
Look for Medium-sized websites, less popular, more niche. Look for multiple bylines, meaning authors.
19:51 Do they pay? Look at the writing launch markets. Paid publishing guideline.
Who Pays Writers? Website.
A lot of the work occurs before you write the pitch.
Process on how to get published on blogs, websites, magazines, etc.
1. Choose a publication to pitch.
2. Send a quality pitch to the editor of that publication.
If you're applying for a job, you submit a resume.
3. Look for multiple bylines.
4. Stay away from the crowd.
5. Check to see if they pay--Writing Launch Markets Database, The Paid Publishing Guidebook, Who Pays Writers.
6. Look for signs that they hire freelancers. Read the contributor bios, editor bios, and submission guideline pages.
Once you've chosen a publication, you want to study that publication to get a sense of the type of articles they publish.
1. Read 5 to 19 articles. What type of articles do they publish?
2. How often do they publish?
3. What categories/departments do they typically publish in?
4. Look for submission guidelines pages!!! It's important to respect whatever the editor requests in his submission guidelines.
5. Find contact information for sending a pitch. 22:04
Tailor your pitch to the unique
needs of the publication. Don’t start
with your idea. Start with what they
need, then write your article.
Look at the dept or category your
article will fit into. Events sections. Recurring columns, recurring categories. A publication might not have specific depts. But
they have specific articles on a regular basis, like interviews with
celebrities. Get a sense of departments
and get a sense. Same author or same 2
authors.
Once you’ve done the research, create 5
ideas. For each idea, write a
headline. For each headline, think
which department will this headline fit?
Does it fit their publication? Their
department? By now you’re ready to start
writing the pitch. 1. Summarize your
idea. Be concise. I have attached an unpublished feature on “Native
Niki Pallington, titled
From Pan Llyn to Palm Springs: The Young Welsh Illustrator Living the American
Dream.” Includes proposed title, which makes
a clear description of the idea. Make it
easy for you the editor. She gives a few
more details. She would love to share
her passion with your readers. Shows she
has an awareness of the editor and readers.
29:40 example.
Headline can be enough. The easier
for the editor to know is enough. Frequent
writer on quora to hacker news.
About me section: 30 words is good
length.
Example:
Robyn McGee is a Los Angeles based
freelance writer and college professor whose work has appeared in Seventeen
Magazine, Truthout.com, bitchmedia.com, and other sites. Robyn’s “Hungry for More” is a nonfiction
book, focused on black women, weight, and body image. When away from the keyboard, Robyn enjoys
whipping up her father’s old soul food recipes, traveling the world, and being
to her love of yoga. Nameste!
1. Proposed your article. “I would like to propose an article . . . .”
2. Said a little about yourself. “About me: . . .”
3. Ask for a response. Does this fit
your needs?
4. End your pitch with a
question. “I can have this article ready
by XXX date. Does that work for you?” 100 to 150 words
COMMON MISTAKES
1. Making it about yourself and not
about the editor’s needs.
2. Following up too soon. Wait!
3. Not carefully reading the
submission guidelines.
4. Copying pitch templates exactly.
5. Sending to the wrong editor.
6. Overconfidence. Don’t compliment yourself.
7. Lengthy article descriptions.
8. Lengthy biographies.
9. Including irrelevant information.
10.
Proposing
too much for a new relationship with an editor.
11.
Send
to the editor in charge of the department you’re writing to.
12. Make your proposal seem like it’s a small risk for them to publish you. Find a way to reverse their risk.
Once you send a pitch, follow these
steps:
1. Expect rejection or simply
ghosting.
2. Wait 2 weeks to follow up with the
editor.
3. Start drafting your next pitch.
4. One sentence: I just want to make sure
that you got this. Let me know if you have any questions.
5. Start your next pitch. If you’re not sending out pitches, you’re not
giving yourself opportunities.
6. Expert feedback on your next pitch.
7. We want to train you and teach you
to write pitches, how to get paid, and then you can be on your way to success.
8.
Database of 1800 range of
publishers, including payment rates and contact information. *******
9.
In-Depth Training on Launching a
Successful Freelance Writing Career. The
Cost? Free for one month. After that, it’s $47/month. Use coupon code Donate at Writing Launch
10.
If
a pitch is rejected, is it okay to send another pitcher at a later date? Yes.
You don’t want to pitch too often.
Give a break to the editors, so they don’t feel like you’re harassing
them. But if you’re sending them pitches
with ideas that fit their needs, they’ll appreciate that and may be willing to
work with you on your pitch or your ideas so that you can produce something
together. Build a relationship with the
editor and their unique needs. Spend some
time getting to know their needs. Wait 6
weeks between pitches. Most editors don’t’
respond even if it’s a “No.” What if you’re
pitching an already published article at another publication. He recommends not doing this. Tailor your article ideas to the
publication.
