· You need to persuade the editor that you can deliver all that you are promising within your pitch. For example, explain in detail evidence that a particular interview has taken/ will take place.
· Focuses on accuracy, no mistakes are allowed.
· Ensure that the style of you pitch matches the magazine/ newspaper that you are pitching to.
· Gather as much information as possible to ensure that all areas and angles of your idea are covered.
· Important to look at formats and decide what section of a publication your feature would go into.
· You need a killer first paragraph to prove that you are capable of writing in a compelling way. Try and summarise your entire work into this first paragraph.
· ‘The nut grab’ or the ‘say what factor’ needs to be described in your second paragraph. Discuss why this story affects people. Why would people want to read this?
· Your third paragraph should include plans that you have for interviews.
· At the end of your pitch, write one sentence about yourself (biographical) and give references. This is a good way of getting back up support from other reporters.
· Always send the pitch in the body of an email; editors don’t want to waste time opening attachments.
· Use 7 words max in the subject field of an email.
· Get someone else to read through you pitch besides yourself as they will have more chance of spotting any errors.
· You should follow up your email the next day for newspapers and 1-2 weeks for magazines.
· There is a fine line between being keen to write for a particular publication and appearing desperate. Show gratitude but don’t appear desperate.
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