Things to Correct in Your Freelance Pitch

The life of a freelancer usually involves sending off your freelance pitches to editors and waiting on a response, but what you should also consider as a freelancer sending out a pitch is that other people also send thousands of articles on a daily basis.

What will make your freelance pitch stand out not fall into lost files is by not making these five classic mistakes:

1. Sending an Inappropriate Pitch

Your story is not going to be right for every media outlet. A magazine for lifestyle and fashion enthusiasts won’t cover hunting and fishing, regardless of how brilliant the article may be. Start by looking for publications that are right for your idea.

So don’t waste your time or anyone else’s by sending a pitch that has no chance of being accepted.

2. Failure to Research

Always study the masthead of a particular publication or learn about different editors’ preferences. Don’t just send your pitch out without making proper research and find out what is required of you as a freelancer.

3. Attaching a Résume

If you’re a new freelance writer I know you might be tempted to attach your resume to your pitch. Unless the job ad asks for it, DON’T. DO. IT

Why?

Because most people on the other end of the receiving the pitch emails treat any attachments as a virus. They probably get hundreds of email pitches and ones with an attachment surely are put in the trash.

4. Grammar Errors in Your Pitch

Make sure you don’t have any grammar or spelling errors in your pitch. This is the first time a potential client will view your writing skills. Before you send it out ask a family member or friend to give it a read and to mark any grammar errors they may find.

5. Failing to Follow-up

One of the biggest mistakes a freelance writer can make is not circling back. You can also follow up on older leads and start communication with them. You never know! They may not be happy with their current writer or they may have a spot open for more writers.