I think one of the more valuable bits of advice that I& #39;ve mentioned on both @TWC_pod and yesterday& #39;s great
@ScienceWriters Q&A about freelancing is: SEND OUT A SOFT PITCH so you& #39;re not initially sinking so much time in developing a full pitch. [thread]
@ScienceWriters Q&A about freelancing is: SEND OUT A SOFT PITCH so you& #39;re not initially sinking so much time in developing a full pitch. [thread]
Here& #39;s a skeleton of a soft pitch I sent yesterday on a walk (where my best ideas come from, IMO)
Subject line: offhand story idea
[salutations!]
I saw [SOMETHING INTERESTING, while being as specific as possible]. I& #39;m interested in doing a story about [MY ANGLE.]
Subject line: offhand story idea
[salutations!]
I saw [SOMETHING INTERESTING, while being as specific as possible]. I& #39;m interested in doing a story about [MY ANGLE.]
[GIVE EXAMPLE OF QUESTIONS I& #39;D WANT TO ASK.]
"Is this of interest? Curious to hear your thoughts " /end
"Is this of interest? Curious to hear your thoughts " /end
Does this work better if I& #39;m pitching an editor with a preexisting relationship? Sure! But you can also tailor this to an editor you& #39;re cold pitching. Here& #39;s how I& #39;d do it.
Subject line: Story idea from a freelancer: [TKTK catchy thing.]
Subject line: Story idea from a freelancer: [TKTK catchy thing.]
Hi [editor],
[your salutations]
I am an independent writer based in TK, who& #39;s written for [...]. I have a story idea about [...] I saw [something interesting], and would want to do a story that focuses on [some new angle]. [throw out a few questions.]
[your salutations]
I am an independent writer based in TK, who& #39;s written for [...]. I have a story idea about [...] I saw [something interesting], and would want to do a story that focuses on [some new angle]. [throw out a few questions.]