Since starting my internship, I have sent out multiple pitches to editors, so I have been able to hone my skills through practice and feedback. I’ve had the chance to sit down with my supervisor and go over pitches that I am going to send out or have already sent out and get feedback on what works and what doesn’t when it comes to pitching. Below are tips on how to effectively pitch an editor!
Catchy Subject Line
A witty subject line is extremely important because it is what will catch an editor’s attention and provide the first impression of the information that you are sharing. Editors receive tons of emails every day so it is important to make your subject line stand out.
Quick and Concise Email
Editors do not have a lot of time to read through your email, so you want to make it brief and make sure you get to the point quickly. If your email is too long and you don’t share the value of your information early on, they may not read the whole thing and disregard the pitch altogether.
Give Ample Lead Time
Make sure you send out your pitch far enough in advance so that you are able to follow up with an editor at a reasonable time. You don’t want to send out a time-sensitive pitch too late and then have to follow up the next day. This will just annoy the editor and show poor planning skills on your end.
Know an Editor’s Beat
Do your research before sending out your pitch! Even though a writer may work at a magazine that fits with your pitch idea, they may not cover the topic that your pitch is focused on. So, when putting together a pitch list, choose editors that cover your pitch topic in order to increase your chance of securing coverage.
Provide Imagery
Always try to include imagery in your pitches not only to provide a visual reference but also to help out the writer. When you provide a photo and photo credits, it is helpful to the editor because it means that they don’t need to go digging for more information.
How to Be an Effective Communications Writer 