Most new writers get caught on the identical place: pitching.
I do know I did once I first began a decade in the past.
I scoured the web looking for pitch examples or tricks to write a pitch that truly labored.
It feels intimidating.
You don’t know what to say.
You’re undecided if you happen to’re sending it to the correct particular person.
And half the time, you hit “ship,” shut your laptop computer, and instantly marvel if you happen to’ve simply embarrassed your self.
The reality is: pitching isn’t that difficult after you have a easy, repeatable system. And through the years I’ve developed a pitching course of in addition to steps on crafting the proper pitch e-mail or message.
As we speak, I’m breaking down your entire course of I exploit (and educate) so you possibly can cease guessing and begin getting replies, whether or not you’re pitching editors, founders, content material managers, or anybody hiring writers.
Let’s stroll via it step-by-step.
However earlier than you begin, be sure that to take a look at my consumer reserving system I’m suing proper now to get extra writing work!
1. Begin With Your Angle, Not the Electronic mail
A pitch is lots simpler when you already know the concept behind it.
I realized this the exhausting manner.
In my first yr of freelance writing, I used to be so wanting to get shoppers that I despatched out pitches with out pondering them via.
I nonetheless bear in mind one of many earliest pitches I despatched, it was for a parenting publication, since my area of interest subjects again within the day have been pure parenting strategies.
I didn’t embody a headline, didn’t clarify the angle, and didn’t even define why the subject mattered. I simply stated one thing like, “I’d love to jot down for you. Right here are some things I can cowl.”
Cringe.
No shock — that pitch went nowhere.
Issues modified once I lastly slowed down and created a easy pre-pitch course of I nonetheless use at the moment and educate to different new writers.
Earlier than I draft a single sentence, I spend a couple of minutes answering:
- What particular matter am I pitching, and what’s the headline?
Once I pitched SmartBlogger years in the past, it wasn’t a obscure thought like “weblog site visitors ideas.” It was a selected angle with a transparent end result. That readability is what obtained the editor’s consideration. - Why does this angle matter proper now?
Editors care about timing greater than writers notice. For Beehiiv, for instance, the angle tied instantly right into a buyer downside for an viewers kind that was trending on social media. That relevance helped me land the writing job1 - How will this assist the publication, model, or enterprise?
The extra you anchor your pitch of their objectives, the simpler it’s for them to say sure. Take into consideration their prospects, viewers or social media presence. - What makes me the correct author for this?
Once I pitched a giant SaaS model final yr, I didn’t go overboard with EVERYTHING I can do to assist them. I merely linked my background — years writing for SaaS corporations, web optimization content material expertise, examples within the area of interest — to the angle I used to be proposing. Content material entrepreneurs don’t want your complete life story. They only need to know you possibly can ship this thought properly.
In the event you can’t reply these questions, your pitch will most likely not get learn.
Your angle is what offers your e-mail construction and confidence.
It reveals the content material marketer or founder that you simply perceive their viewers, you’ve accomplished the pondering for them, and also you’re not simply firing off a mass e-mail hoping somebody bites.
2. Analysis the Publication or Enterprise
This half doesn’t need to take lengthy, however it does need to be intentional.
I didn’t all the time perceive this.
In my early pitching days, I might skim a website for 30 seconds, look on the About web page, and assume I “knew sufficient.”
These pitches obtained ignored.
Not as a result of my writing was dangerous, however as a result of my concepts didn’t match what the weblog really wanted.
Issues modified the day I spent quarter-hour doing actual analysis earlier than sending a pitch to a digital advertising and marketing weblog.
I regarded on the final month of posts, checked the tone, paid consideration to the viewers questions within the feedback, and seen they hadn’t revealed something on a trending matter bloggers or content material creators have been Googling that week.
I pitched precisely that hole — and the proprietor responded inside hours.
Since then, I’ve saved my analysis very simple and intensely targeted.
You don’t have to spend a day digging.
You simply want a mini-checklist that helps you perceive how your thought suits into their content material ecosystem.
Right here’s what I search for once I need to land a SaaS consumer:
- Their services or products
Go forward and research not simply their weblog however how their product helped sellers develop. That angle will make your pitch stronger. - Their target market
Manufacturers all the time write for somebody particular: SaaS founders, busy mothers, small enterprise house owners, eCommerce sellers. The clearer you’re about who they serve, the higher your pitch lands. - The issues the viewers is making an attempt to unravel
Each good pitch solves an actual ache level. - The enterprise mannequin
In the event you perceive what the corporate sells, you possibly can create content material that strikes readers towards these provides. That’s what makes manufacturers say sure. - Content material they’re lacking
Most corporations have large content material gaps and don’t notice it. - Funnel levels they aren’t overlaying
Quite a lot of manufacturers publish “high of funnel” content material (like ideas and guides) however skip the center and bottom-of-funnel items that truly convert. In the event you spot these holes, you immediately turn into extra worthwhile.
3. Discover the Proper Contact Particular person
This step alone can change your whole pitching success charge.
I realized this early on once I spent weeks pitching a to GoDaddy utilizing their generic “submissions@” inbox.
I saved questioning why nobody ever replied.
Later, I came upon the true editor barely checked that inbox and I feel it simply wasn’t working.
It was basically a holding tank.
As quickly as I discovered her private e-mail on Instagram and pitched her instantly, she replied the subsequent day.
That’s when it clicked for me:
You need the choice maker, not the catch-all inbox.
Relying in your goal, this may very well be:
- The editor-in-chief
- The managing editor
- The deputy editor
- The content material supervisor
- The pinnacle of promoting
- The founder (for small corporations — I’ve landed a number of shoppers this fashion)
Each time potential, I attempt to pitch the one who really offers the sure.
One in every of my favourite examples is the SaaS model I landed after messaging their founder on LinkedIn.
No gatekeepers. No ignored inbox.
Only a fast, human dialog that was a paid challenge inside per week. Pitching the correct particular person quickens your entire course of.
Perhaps you’re pondering, “However Elna, the place do I discover the contact information?”
Listed below are some locations which have labored for me.
Observe: I give much more locations and concepts in my course, Writeto1k!
- LinkedIn:
My number-one software. I’ve discovered editors, content material managers, and advertising and marketing leads right here extra occasions than I can rely. - Twitter/X:
I as soon as discovered an editor’s appropriate e-mail as a result of she casually tweeted, “Ship pitches right here as an alternative.” Gold. - About or Masthead pages:
Some enterprise blogs checklist their whole editorial employees, which makes it straightforward to decide on the correct title.
In the event you can’t discover a title after a couple of minutes of looking out, don’t panic. I might verify their LinkedIn profile, discover them there and ship a DM as an alternative.
Use a impartial greeting corresponding to:
“Hello there,”
or
“Hello editorial crew,”
Editors don’t reject pitches since you didn’t discover their full title. They reject pitches as a result of the concept doesn’t match, or as a result of it wasn’t despatched to the one who really assigns work.
So don’t overthink the salutation. Put your power into discovering the correct particular person and making your thought related to them.
4. Make Your Pitch Straightforward to Learn
Content material entrepreneurs skim. They’re drained. Their inboxes are overflowing.
Your pitch must be clear, brief, and easy.
Topic Line
Clear and particular.
Examples:
- Pitch: How Busy Mother and father Can Stop Burnout
- Freelance Author Pitch: 3 Story Concepts
- Article Pitch: Summer time Dwelling-Group Developments
Greeting
Brief. Pleasant. Skilled.
“Hello [Name],”
Opening Line
State your function shortly.
“I’d like to pitch a narrative thought for [publication].”
For manufacturers:
“I’d love to assist your crew with content material and have a subject I feel will carry out properly to your viewers.”
The Thought
Give the editor one thing to react to.
- One robust headline
- 1–3 sentences describing the angle
- Who it helps and why it issues now
- Optionally available: 2–3 bullets with sub-angles
Why You Can Write It
A couple of brief strains that present expertise—not your whole life story.
One thing like:
“I’ve written for [niche] manufacturers corresponding to ___ and ___. My work focuses on serving to readers perceive ___, and I can ship this piece shortly.”
Brief. Easy. Assured.
CTA
At all times shut with a delicate name to motion:
“If this appears like a great match, I’d be completely satisfied to jot down it.”
“If you wish to see extra concepts, I can ship one other batch.”
5. Ship It & Then Observe Up
One factor I began doing early in my profession was to ensure to all the time comply with up on any leads I had.
I do know numerous writers really feel intimidated by this half.
You don’t need to appear pushy, you don’t need to annoy anybody, and also you undoubtedly don’t need to spoil your probabilities.
I used to really feel the identical manner.
However when you’ve been pitching lengthy sufficient, you notice one thing vital:
Content material managers aren’t ignoring you — they’re overwhelmed.
Typically they open your e-mail on their telephone whereas ready in line for espresso.
Typically they learn your first sentence, get pulled into a gathering, and neglect to come back again.
Typically they imply to reply later and by no means do.
Your pitch didn’t fail. It simply obtained buried beneath life.
A follow-up solves that.
I realized this years in the past once I pitched a giant digital publication.
I didn’t hear again for per week and assumed it was a no.
However I adopted up anyway, partly as a result of I used to be curious, partly as a result of I needed closure.
They replied in beneath 5 minutes:
“Thanks for the reminder! That is nice. Let’s run it!”
That response taught me extra about pitching than any writing course ever might.
So right here’s the rule I nonetheless use at the moment:
Wait 5–7 days, then comply with up with one easy line.
One thing like:
“Hello [Name]simply bumping this up in case it slipped previous your inbox. Completely happy to ship extra concepts if this one isn’t the correct match.”
That’s it. No explaining, no apologizing, no rewriting your whole pitch.
You’d be shocked what number of content material managers reply to the follow-up and never the unique e-mail.
What’s even higher is the follow-up script I share in my Writeto1k course.
I even unlocked it for you!
A Easy Pitching System that Works
I hope you discovered this useful!
Pitching doesn’t need to be difficult. As a substitute, make it straightforward with the following pointers.
Let me know within the feedback beneath your pitching course of!
