Pitching: Just do it!

FREELANCE journalism is one of the most democratic professions on the planet. If you have a great idea (and hopefully, some talent) you can send an idea to a commissioning editor and have a job within the hour, writes Diane Shipley.

Which is why I'm always surprised and mystified when students and "newbies" take a softly-softly, must-work-my-way-up approach to pitching. They'll have a great idea, mull it over, ask other people for opinions, sit on it for days... then decide there's probably no point pitching it. And regret it later.

If this sounds like you, what are you waiting for?

Okay, you may not know how to write a pitch. Find out - it's not that hard. (If you fall at this hurdle, maybe you're going into the wrong profession.)

You don't know if your idea's good enough? Get feedback from someone in the business if you can, or just work at the pitch until it sounds great (a good tip is to write it in the style of the publication you're pitching). And make sure to target it to the right market, to increase your chances of success. (If a magazine doesn’t run personal essays, they won’t make an exception for you). I’m assuming you have some interest in writing and at least a modicum of talent, by the way. Be honest with yourself: you know if you’re good enough or not.

Once you’ve got an idea you believe in, and written a great pitch, then do something radical: SEND IT.

Editors can’t magically see into the drafts folder of your email; your little pitch is going to have to voyage out into the world. Yes, it may be rejected. Yes, it may be ignored. But it may also be accepted (my first ever pitch was, by a glossy at that) and you’ll never know unless you try. Every journalist has their ideas rejected but we just keep going.

The good news is, you can start today. You don't need a degree in the subject. You don't need any special equipment: just motivation, a brain and an email account. Send some features editors some ideas and aim as high as you like - I can promise you a rejection from The Times feels the same as a rejection from Local Newsletter Monthly (perhaps better if they tell you to send more ideas in - you then have a foot in the door at a national).

You'll get no prizes for following some outdated set of rules about beginners being seen and not heard and working their way up from tiny publications over many years… Boldness, persistence, and self-belief are the only ways to get ahead in this profession. The editor of Cosmo or The Guardian isn't likely to psychically intuit that you're the man or woman for them and offer you work out of the blue. Putting yourself out there and risking rejection is the only way to get good cuttings.

I haven’t been freelancing for long but I've been published in national newspapers and magazines and edited a books website for over a year. When I started, the things I didn't know were legion. But I didn't tell editors or contacts that. I acted confident, I found the information I needed, and I delivered what I promised in my pitch.
It's not easy, but it is simple.

So should you pitch? Who knows! Do it anyway.

WHERE NOW?
• Mslexia’s ‘Toolkit’ (How to pitch and other useful info):
• Renegade Writer: (The book is well worth buying, too)
• www.journalism.co.uk
• www.journobiz.com (see the forum’s ‘Pitches that worked’ section)
• And of course… this book.

Comments

[Lindy]

Hi Diane, thanks for this piece - I find it quite thought provoking as I'm not sure I entirely agree with you!

It's all very well pitching and getting commissioned - but it's delivering perfect copy, on time that counts. I don't think you should pitch unless you have a realistic chance of doing that - and that's where people may take a 'softly softly' approach.

I certainly agree you should grab the moment but only so long as you are confident you aren't going to make a complete **** of yourself.

There's a world of difference between pitching 450 words of say opinion on a light-hearted theme where your views will be appealing to the readership, and managing to piss off an experienced editor by gaining the commission and then falling down because you don't know how to find the case studies/aren't aware of legal issues etc.

So all in all I would advise some caution.

I've edited a couple of publications over the years that had a freelance budget and felt very let down by people who pitched confidently but filed a pile of doo-doo.

Confidence is all very well but a proven ability to deliver is also an important part of the process, I reckon.

To really make the most of a career, you do actually have to know what you are doing, don't you? Not just be content with firing off pitches...do you agree? :)

Thanks again, even if you have got me chuntering on.

[DIANE]

Ha yes, it is important you can deliver on what you pitch, but that's a different issue I think.

I'm talking about confidence in your ability, not kidding yourself with false bravado.

There are talented newcomers who are too scared or reluctant to pitch and I'm not encouraging them to step totally out of their depth, but to have the courage to take a chance when they've done their preparation.

[DIANE]

Anyway, thank you for publishing me Linda! x

[Lindy-Lou]

Nooooo, thank you.

[maz]

Yes, but how do you know you're any good if you never send anything off? There may be hundreds of talented people out there who are terrified of rejection but it's usually the ones who turn out a load of 'doo doo' who actually have a bash. How many times do we read about now-best-selling authors whose masterpieces were initially rejected, time after time? It's only life after all, we're not here for long, so why not try to get the best you can out of it? I truly envy anyone who is paid for doing the thing they love most - and surely one person's doo-doo is another's masterpiece. N'est pas? I think so. (Great guest blog, by the way!)

[Linda]

Yes I agree with you entirely when it comes to fiction.

But not for a piece of journalism, there are accepted standards of spelling, grammar, reporting, research and sound legal knowledge.

So if someone has an idea, pitches it, gets it accepted and then delivers a rubbish feature - or can't find people to actually back up their brilliant pitch, then they are in the doo-doo.

It happens. The editor says: "Sorry it's not going to work" which can be a great blow to your confidence, not to mention your reputation.

Or you have to go back to the editor and say something like: "You know I suggested a feature on women who have overcome anorexia to go onto inspirational careers, well actually I haven't found any in the week you gave me..." then you will look like a wally.

You know you are good because you have taken the time and trouble to find out, by training to be a journalist, or working as a journalist, getting to grips with libel and contempt and all the other basics - not by thinking "How difficult can it be?" and pitching a busy editor who's likely to drop you like a ton of bricks if they give you a chance and you blow it.

But yep thanks again Diane.

Much love to you Maz :)

[Dave Lee]

Great piece -- it's the sort of thing I could have done with reading when I was starting out. I definitely sat on my laurels with some ideas that I now realise were pretty good.

It's one thing getting a pitch rejected because the editor doesn't like the idea (which doesn't, of course, always means it's a bad one), but it's another kettle of fish pitching an idea that is completely wrong for the publication, or badly researched, or an old idea etc.

So, in that sense, a 'go for it' attitude can come back to bite you on the bum if you're not careful. But, on the other hand, not having a 'go for it' attitude can cost you a story.

What I tend to do is try and sell the article to my mum. Even complicated technology ideas that go over most peoples' heads are worth telling family and friends. You find as you start to say it out loud you'll find the holes and amend as neccessary.

[Linda]

"What I tend to do is try and sell the article to my mum."

Thanks for making me smile Dave. Hope the wk/ex is going well.

[DIANE]

Again I just want to emphasise that I'm not talking about just thinking 'how hard can it be?' and encouraging anyone to have a go - this is addressed to students and new writers with some knowledge and ability, but a lack of confidence.

I'd also argue that even making an idiot of yourself once or twice isn't the end of the world - you learn from it and move on and editors will soon forget about you!

Finally (!) I like your idea, Dave - sell it to your mum, fab! And I think you're a great example of someone who's out there and doing it, which I know will stand you in very good stead :)