Pitching For Work
Pitching for work is as easy or as difficult as you choose to make it.
If you approach it methodically and create an easy system for you to follow then you'll find it takes up much less time than it otherwise could and therefore will increase the time available to you to write; which in turn should lead to more sales.
Below are my five top tips for pitching for work - effectively and efficiently.
1.
Research your target audience To pitch your work efficiently, you need to understand who your target audience is and what it is that they want to read about.
If you are writing with a specific publication in mind then try and obtain back copies so that you can see what style of writing they favour and what topics have already been covered.
2.
Understand the publication guidelines Some publications offer a set of guidelines for you to use prior to submitting any work.
If they do offer them then ensure that you follow them closely as usually any deviation will ensure that your work is rejected.
If they don't then you will need to submit a query letter or email to the commissioning editor to see whether or not they would be interested in your piece.
3.
Use your time efficiently Try to set aside time every day to pitch for work or, if that doesn't suit you then set aside a block of time in your diary once a week to deal with it.
Unless you pitch regularly then the level of commissions you receive will be much lower than someone who makes the effort and regularly puts the time in.
You need to get it done efficiently so make sure you the time you allocate is achievable and don't use it for something else.
4.
Dealing with rejection Everyone gets rejection slips / emails / letters.
It's part and parcel of the job and you need to develop a thick skin.
Remember, it's not you personally they are rejecting, it's the idea you presented at that moment in time.
Keep at it, go back with different suggestions or ideas - eventually one of them will stick! 5.
Keep writing For some writers, the temptation is to write once piece and then wait to see if it sells before you go on and write the next one.
If you are a hobby writer then this approach is fine but if you are a working writer then it's a sure path to starvation.
As soon as one piece is done, get it marketed and move on to the next one.
The more you write, the more you will eventually sell.
If you approach it methodically and create an easy system for you to follow then you'll find it takes up much less time than it otherwise could and therefore will increase the time available to you to write; which in turn should lead to more sales.
Below are my five top tips for pitching for work - effectively and efficiently.
1.
Research your target audience To pitch your work efficiently, you need to understand who your target audience is and what it is that they want to read about.
If you are writing with a specific publication in mind then try and obtain back copies so that you can see what style of writing they favour and what topics have already been covered.
2.
Understand the publication guidelines Some publications offer a set of guidelines for you to use prior to submitting any work.
If they do offer them then ensure that you follow them closely as usually any deviation will ensure that your work is rejected.
If they don't then you will need to submit a query letter or email to the commissioning editor to see whether or not they would be interested in your piece.
3.
Use your time efficiently Try to set aside time every day to pitch for work or, if that doesn't suit you then set aside a block of time in your diary once a week to deal with it.
Unless you pitch regularly then the level of commissions you receive will be much lower than someone who makes the effort and regularly puts the time in.
You need to get it done efficiently so make sure you the time you allocate is achievable and don't use it for something else.
4.
Dealing with rejection Everyone gets rejection slips / emails / letters.
It's part and parcel of the job and you need to develop a thick skin.
Remember, it's not you personally they are rejecting, it's the idea you presented at that moment in time.
Keep at it, go back with different suggestions or ideas - eventually one of them will stick! 5.
Keep writing For some writers, the temptation is to write once piece and then wait to see if it sells before you go on and write the next one.
If you are a hobby writer then this approach is fine but if you are a working writer then it's a sure path to starvation.
As soon as one piece is done, get it marketed and move on to the next one.
The more you write, the more you will eventually sell.
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