Developing The Perfect Pitch

travel writers learn to develop a perfect query

Are online publications really that much different from glossy mailbox delivered ones?

Some aspects…yes. Others…not so much. After all they both accept articles, stories and photos.

So where do you start when you want to pitch a story idea to an editor?

Can you use the same information, the same tactics and even the same article? Perhaps. There are some commonalities but there are differences as well.

How do you know which way to focus?

Before you write, read

First, your initial step should be the same for either an online or offline publication. Read it. I don’t mean glance at the publication and then think you know all about it. Read the articles, look at the editor’s column, check out the writer’s guidelines, know how long the articles are and get a feel for what this publication is all about. Not only will you have a better idea for your article or story idea but you will be able to intelligently speak about the fit of it as it relates to the publication.

If you can help an Editor sell their publication….you have a chance of being included

Speaking of guidelines, be sure to read them… and then follow them closely. Are photographs required? If photos are not allowed, please do not send some with your article “just because they are so special and will make my article pop”. That’s a sure sign you haven’t really read the guidelines. How many words do they require? Online publications may be asking for shorter more intense articles. If that is the case, you will need to have your title or your description tight and to the point. Grab the attention quickly…of both the editor and the reader.

Know your audience

This sounds simple but you need to ask yourself “who reads this publication?” Many times the reader for an online one is greatly different than for an offline one. You may need to pitch your idea and your article differently, possibly even rewriting it as needed.

Write your query letter accordingly. Online publications probably want a query by email. Offline ones may or may not. This information will be in the writer’s guidelines. Either way, address your query to the correct person with the correct title…spelling everything correctly.

Keep it short, but don’t forget the hook

Queries for both types of publications need to be short enough to read quickly, contain enough information to explain your idea or article and include enough of a spark to catch the editor’s attention. Too long, too flowery, not enough white space or too short are all queries that probably won’t grab the editor. Remember you only have a few seconds to get his or her attention.

What if a query letter is not required? Again, read the guidelines. And once again, follow them exactly. How about attachments? Are they allowed or does the publication want the article in the body of the email?

Always remember

Editors of both online and offline publications are looking for interesting stories, well written articles, and writers who can follow their guidelines and then deliver. They need to sell their publication. If you can help them do that, you have a chance of being included. This is the time to branch out. If you have never written for one publication or the other…try it now.

Finally…be sure to have all of your contact information readily available. Do not make an editor of any type of publication have to search through a long email or letter just to find out how to contact you. Chances are…they won’t.

~Wendy

Do you have success with your pitches? Share your advice!

About Wendy VanHatten 11 Articles

Wendy VanHatten left the corporate world to become a professional freelance travel writer and author. In addition she is an editor, travel business owner, author of a variety of published books, and photographer.

Currently, Wendy is writing several books on such topics as women and success, positive travel experiences, and recipes combined with destinations.  She continues to write several times a week on her blog Her website, http://wendyvanhatten.com/, features sample articles, photos, services and links, and her newest ebook can be found at www.mylifethesequel.com.

Twitter: http://twitter.com/WendyVH
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/wendyvanhatten
LinkedIn:http://www.linkedin.com/pub/wendy-vanhatten/3/25b/297

11 Comments

  1. As much as I love writing for print, I’ve found that online publications are more receptive for pitches simply because there it’s a lot easier to publish more content. It’s easy for quality to falter online, so I actually think a strong, quality pitch to an online editor is much more likely to be well-received.
    .-= JoAnna´s last blog post: 5 Undervisited National Parks That Deserve Your Attention =-.

    • Good tips. I limit myself to pitching only one or to print magazines a month because I have found too often in the last two years that I spend time on a pitch, discuss details with the editor (sometimes even get a contract) and the magazine puts a freeze on freelancing or even folds.

      I will continue to do occasional work for print, but my guaranteed income is coming from online.

      Marcia
      .-= Marcia Frost´s last blog post: My Flavored Vodka Party =-.

  2. As an editor of a well paying print magazine, I was always amazed at how many submissions weren’t appropriate and made it clear the writer hadn’t bothered to look at the publication. Since we published mostly essays, we looked at things on spec – and it is much more time consuming to read an entire article than a cover letter. Anything a writer can do to make an editor’s job easy is always much appreciated. For instance many writers also ignored preferences for format (codes can get wonky in a Word doc unless saved as RTF) – On certain days I swear I think I accepted something just because a writer took special care and got that right. Great advice! :) PS -I think the whole thing of having to spend more time writing cover letters than actually writing is kind of sad :)

  3. Excellent advice. Read read read is very good common sense information that I don’t think people follow. I want to send more articles in from my travels right now, but I haven’t had the time to research the publications that I want to send to, so I am holding off until I have the time to really read their archives. I would hate to look foolish by sending in something that doesn’t suit their content or has already been written about recently.
    .-= Dave and Deb´s last blog post: Our favorites from India: A Photo Story =-.

  4. Some good advice here. I often tend to do things my way to make the article unique. Has worked good so far for me.

Sorry, Commenting is automatically closed on all Posts older than two years.

Some links on this page do earn us a small amount of money if you click on them and make a purchase. Not much, maybe enough for a cup of coffee or a beer, but we would never recommend any item if we didn't believe in it's value to you. Plus, every little bit helps keep this site going and helps us continue to provide you with great information.  We appreciate your support!