Pitch, Please! How to Pitch Story Ideas Like a Pro
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Pitch, Please! How to Pitch Story Ideas Like a ProHi Reader, January just flew by! I hope the first month of 2024 treated you wonderfully. How did it go with growing your client roster? Did any promising prospect meetings pan out? I'd love to celebrate your kickoff victories! But if January wasn't quite what you expected, first of all, take a sec to show yourself some grace. One less-than-perfect month does NOT mean you don't have what it takes. Reflect on what didn't quite go well, then make little adjustments going forward. Progress over perfection, my friends! Personally, January took me all over the place, meeting impressive writers and creative entrepreneurs. My accountability group has been invaluable for bouncing around ideas and keeping each other pumped up, even though we work in totally different industries. But hey, that combo seems to really click for us! As we step into a brand new month, I'm excited to connect with you guys more. Tell me — What surprised, challenged, or motivated you in January? And what are you looking forward to accomplishing or exploring in February and beyond? Can't wait to hear all about it! A word, please!What’s worse: crafting a pitch or getting on a discovery call? Before we go on, I want to clarify what I mean by pitching. When I say pitching, I'm referring specifically to crafting a STORY IDEA to send to an editor. This is NOT the same as a cold email which is when you reach out to an editor out of the blue to offer your services as a writer. I know some of us use the term pitching to mean cold emailing. If you missed it and want tips on cold emailing editors to land assignments, check out this newsletter here, where I spilled allll my best practices. But back to pitches! Pitching used to terrify me. I'd agonize for hours, second-guessing everything I wrote. Is the hook good enough? Are they going to laugh hysterically at how stupid my idea is? So. Many. Questions. I was totally winging it, too, with no solid pitching system in place. Just me, my fears, and a prayer that the spaghetti I was throwing would stick to the wall. Spoiler alert: Al dente spaghetti actually does stick! Don’t ask me how I know… But after way too many hours dwelling and fretting over a pitch idea, I wised up and figured out a solid pitching process. Now I can whip up a strong pitch in less than half the time without needing a paper bag to breathe into! Don't get me wrong, I still get the jitters when I press send. But it's more excited butterflies than heart palpitations now. Meanwhile, discovery calls still reduce me to a puddle of social anxiety… Pitching I can handle now, but discovery calls are my worst introvert nightmare! Anyway, let’s talk about how to create kickass story ideas that make editors take notice and say, "Tell me more!" The key is being prepared LONG before inspiration hits. Pitching takes effort and strategy, in addition to creativity. Ready to put in the prep work so you can pitch like a pro? It’s easy as 1, 2, 3! 1. Do your homeworkYes, pitching requires actual homework! Start by thoroughly investigating your target publications:
This gives you invaluable intel for shaping an idea they’ll welcome with open arms. You’re also scoping out any overlap with topics they’ve recently covered. If they just published a piece on your idea, don't panic! Use the information in the article to shape a different angle or perspective. Plan to interview subject matter experts who can offer another viewpoint. Come at it from a different lens like addressing a related sub-topic not fully covered. Present information readers haven't seen before. It may require some mental aerobics and several brain cells to find a fresh twist, but a unique approach can make an editor sit up and take notice. And part of doing your homework is reading and following pitch guidelines. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to thoroughly read pitch guidelines word-for-word. Yes, poring over the fine print may feel tedious, but doing so demonstrates important qualities. It shows you have the discipline to follow detailed instructions and adhere to their style guide if they assign you the story. 2. Craft your pitchNext, block off time to thoughtfully craft your pitch. Resist freestyling something last minute! Have one or a few go-to pitch template(s) that include:
Here’s how to prepare your template (the following concepts are brought to you courtesy of Adeen Shahid, a brilliant health writer who has mastered the art of crafting compelling pitches!): 👉Set the scene (2 to 3 sentences) Tell a two- to three-sentence story. Let’s say you’re pitching about the benefits of meditation. Start by telling a story about crazy work deadlines, endless school tasks, screaming kids, health issues, etc. Let them feel that anxiety bubble right under their skin. Make that connection. 👉Create relatability (1 to 2 sentences) 👉Introduce your idea (1 to 3 sentences) You've laid out the problem, so what? It’s time to swoop in with your fix, your solution, in a short paragraph. For the overworked employee, mentally-drained student, or frazzled mom, say how meditation will save the day. If you have a different POV about meditation or an app, allude to it here. Give just enough information — a teaser — to pique the editor’s curiosity and have them say, “Ooh, I want to read that story!” 👉Outline the journey (2 to 3 sentences) Summarize how you will structure the piece. For instance, explain you will include scientific evidence, real-life stories, and interview subject matter experts — all of the above is a great combo. This shows you will provide a balanced, evidence-based approach. 👉What’s in it for the readers (1 to 2 sentences) 👉Tell them who you are and show off your samples Now, briefly introduce yourself, and yep, it’s good to prove that you’ve got the skills. Link to relevant work samples. This makes your abilities clear and helps others see the value you bring. Here you go: ✅Set the scene You’re scrambling to meet a project deadline, your inbox is filling up, and just then, the kids burst in, fighting over the TV remote. As stress peaks, your breaths grow shallower by the minute. Breathing is something we do automatically, but the way we breathe can have a profound impact on our physical and emotional well-being. ✅Create relatability We’ve all been there! When we’re anxious or even just sitting at a desk, we tend to take shallow breaths that don’t fully expand our lungs. ✅Introduce your idea Enter the breath coach. ✅Outline the journey This piece will explore the world of breath coaching. I’ll break down the science behind breathing’s power to reduce stress, boost energy, and improve life quality, reinforced by the expert insights of a breath coach. ✅What’s in it for the readers The readers will understand how breathing affects wellness. I’ll also equip them with simple, practical breathing tips from a coach so they can feel calmer, focused, and healthier overall. ✅Tell them who you are and show off your samples My name is _______. I’m a freelance writer, and I’ve crafted engaging content for [PUBLICATION], [PUBLICATION], and [PUBLICATION]. Here are a few work samples: [LINK] [LINK] Tweak each template to fit the publication. 3. Triple-check detailsNothing torpedoes a pitch faster than not doing basic proofing. Before hitting send, go through your pitch with a fine tooth-comb to verify that:
Just like everything in freelancing, it’s not magic! We’ve all bombed a pitch (or twenty). Pitching is a skill that takes practice. But with persistence and prep work, you WILL get yeses! And don't automatically assume failure on your part if your idea gets rejected. It may just mean that publication wasn’t the right home for your story. The beauty of it is that you can shop your story around. Yes, exactly, pitch your story to another publication until you find the right home for it. Keep refining your approach and seeking new opportunities. With a little trial and error, you’ll be pitching like a pro in no time!
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PS: I'm seriously, absolutely, and honestly itching to know how I can make this newsletter the best for YOU and US. This is not a one-way street. You hear from me. But I want to also hear from you. Hit REPLY to share what works and what doesn’t, what you want to see more of, or just say hi! 👋
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