Lately I've been talking to people a lot about pitching #freelance story ideas.

There seems to be some idea out there that there's ONE RIGHT WAY to pitch. But I think if anyone tells you that they've figured out THE pitching method that works, they're selling you snake oil.

The reality is that the system is broken. Overworked editors with tiny budgets getting hundreds of ideas per week in crowded inboxes.

No pitch structure or email subject line is going to fix that. It's a SYSTEMIC issue.

Yes, sometimes your idea isn't right for the pub. Sure, sometimes the idea isn't really interesting at all. I help people work through stuff like that.

But there's no RIGHT answer. Pitching 100x per month or pitching 2x per month might get you the same result.

I want to say that again: It is a broken system.

Nobody should have to run a business that requires dozens of hours of unpaid work to get one assignment for $200.

No pitch course/ method/ system can correct for that.

What we need is: Subscribers = more money at publications = more budget to pay freelancers + hire more editors = setting clear expectations and getting back to people = more pitches landed/ more learning for writers = better mental health for everyone.

We need a new biz model, not a sneaky way to get your email past dozens of barriers.

/ end pitching rant. (I hate cold pitching.)