Published in · 6 min read · Jan 26, 2022
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Remember this, as a new freelance journalist; you’re exactly at the same point as millions of other successful journalists before you were at the beginning of their career.
We all start with no experience and no referrals.
As a journalist in India, you must have listened to other more experienced journalists give advice that you must write first for your local paper, earn some clips, move on to the nationals, and target international publications.
Is that good advice? Yes.
Did I listen to it? No.
Here’s How It All Began
I subscribed to newsletters that posted freelance writing opportunities in international publications, using what little money I had at the time. Pitches after pitches were written and practiced, all of them turning out terrible.
But fortune favors the brave, and guess what?
I got my first byline in an international publication with no previous bylines and with no educational background in journalism either.
If I can do it, so can you!
My hope is that this article helps make pitching articles to magazines or international publications easier for you!
Tip #1: Choose A Timely and Relevant Topic
My first article was published on Women’s Media Center and it was on Love Jihad. Now, if you don’t know what Love Jihad is, then I suggest you read the article to get to know the history behind the Islamophobic term.
But to reiterate, Love Jihad is an “Islamophobic conspiracy theory against interfaith marriages, which alleges that Muslim men lure non-Muslim women into converting to Islam by seduction.”
I chose a topic that was in the news because the Chief Minister of the most populous state in India had recently announced a law to prevent Love Jihad cases in his state.
My idea for the pitch was topical and very relevant.
That’s my first tip to you: Choose a topic that’s trending that try to go beyond what other publications are reporting on it.
Tip #2: Choose A Publication That Suits Your Pitch
After selecting a pitch, I still had a difficult task ahead of me. Choosing the right publication for my pitch.
Here, my dear friend Akanksha Singh helped me out by mentioning that the section Women Under Siege under Women’s Media Center would be the best place to submit a pitch for an article.
She was kind enough to provide me with the editor’s email address, and I can’t thank her enough for giving me the push to submit one of my first few pitches to editors in international publications.
This brings me to the third point.
Tip #3: Networking Is Everything
If I hadn’t met Akanksha and many of my other wonderful freelance writer friends, I would still find my way. But it would have taken me a long, long time.
And this is why networking is so important.
I’m so grateful to my writer friends for being there for me and almost being my cheerleaders with their kind words and helpful feedback.
As a newbie freelance journalist, it can be a little difficult to introduce yourself to other journalists, but I’m here to tell you that most freelance journalists are kind people.
Pro tip: When approaching other people, don’t ever ask to “pick their brain” for something or ask a very broad question. It’s always better to do your own research first and later ask questions on very specific topics.
Tip #4: Write A Very Good Pitch
Now, here comes the most challenging part of the whole pitching process: Writing the pitch.
Most pitching usually happens over email wherein the freelance journalist pitches an idea to an editor. Then the publication replies back to the writer to let them know if they are interested in fleshing out the idea and publishing the piece. A pitch is essentially a cover letter that serves to introduce both the writer and their article idea to a publication.
Why do you need to pitch articles to publication?
You could be the most brilliant journalist in your part of the world but if you cannot write a good pitch to win an editor’s attention, then you have no chance of getting any publishing opportunities.
Many different elements go into writing a pitch that editors will notice and give their due attention to.
A good pitch should ideally have three main components:
· The central thesis of your idea
· Mentioning the people who are going to be your sources
· A short introduction about yourself
Remember, a good pitch should be 80% about the person you’re emailing to and only 20% about yourself.
Respect the editors’ time by not going into excessive detail and pitching a whole article in your first email to them.
Ideally, a good pitch is 250–500 words long.
Sometimes, it can be more than that if you’re pitching a long-form piece and really need to go into the details to convince the editor of its value. But for shorter works (below 2000 words), a pitch does not need to extend beyond 500 words.
You can grab my free pitch template on how to write a good pitch for an article. It has all things I mentioned here but goes a little more into detail and lays down the structure of a pitch.
Tip #5: Send A Follow Up Email After a Week
I was extremely lucky that my editor replied to me the next day for the Love Jihad pitch.
But knowing the etiquette of the follow-up email is going to be extremely important in the field of freelance journalism or freelance writing in general.
An editor is a human being like you are with responsibilities and an overflowing inbox. Remember, you’re not the only one pitching article ideas to them!
I usually send a follow-up email after a week, and it goes something like this,
“Hello [X],
I hope you’re doing well.
Just circling back on my pitch and wanted to know your thoughts on it.
Let me know if you’re interested.
Best wishes,
Agnee Ghosh.”
It’s short, to the point, and bumps up my pitch to the top of their inbox without coming off as too pushy or aggressive.
Tip #6: Remember, the Rejection Is Not About You
Sometimes, you’re still not going to get a reply despite following up, and you know what? That’s completely okay.
There are a lot of factors into getting commissioned, and sometimes, the reason has nothing to do with how good your pitch was. Maybe the editor doesn’t have the budget to commission the piece, maybe your pitch was the wrong fit for that publication, or there are only a few spots for freelancers, and yours just didn’t make the cut.
You have to develop a thick skin when you’re a freelance journalist.
I still get sad when I receive a negative answer to one of my pitches I truly believed in. My advice to you would be to allow yourself to be sad for a little while when you get rejected but remember not to wallow too much in sadness.
You have to bounce back from the rejection somehow. If you truly believe in the brilliance of your pitch, then pitch it to a different publication. Try pitching it to different publications until you find a home for it.
But if nothing works, then shelve the pitch for a later time when the topic becomes relevant again or give up on it. I leave that up to you to decide.
Hey, no one said freelance journalism was meant to be easy!
So, to sum up:
Tip #1: Choose A Timely and Relevant Topic
Tip #2: Choose A Publication That Suits Your Pitch
Tip #3: Networking Is Everything
Tip #4: Write A Very Good Pitch
Tip #5: Send A Follow Up Email After a Week
Tip #6: Remember, the Rejection Is Not About You
Freelance Journalism is not an easy career, I’ll be honest with you. You’ll get rejected more times than you can count, and there will be some thorns on the way to success.
But it is also rewarding work.
If you’ve been wondering if journalism is the right career for you, then why not freelance in it? Nothing is stopping you.
All you need is sheer determination and will and a very, very thick skin.
I'm an experienced freelance journalist with a proven track record of successfully pitching and getting published in international publications. My journey began with no prior experience or educational background in journalism, similar to many aspiring journalists. However, through strategic decision-making and persistence, I managed to break into the competitive field and establish myself as a freelance writer.
In one of my notable achievements, I secured my first byline in the Women’s Media Center, an international publication, despite lacking previous bylines and a journalism background. This accomplishment speaks to my ability to navigate the challenging world of freelance journalism effectively. I subscribed to newsletters, crafted numerous pitches, and eventually succeeded in getting my work published.
One of my key pieces of advice for aspiring freelance journalists is to select timely and relevant topics for their pitches. In my case, I wrote an article on Love Jihad, a topic in the news at that time, which contributed to the success of my pitch. Additionally, I emphasize the importance of networking, as it played a crucial role in connecting me with helpful individuals who provided valuable insights and guidance.
Choosing the right publication for a pitch is another critical aspect of the process. With the assistance of a fellow freelance writer, I identified the Women Under Siege section under Women’s Media Center as the ideal place for my pitch. This underscores the significance of understanding the target audience and aligning pitches with the appropriate publications.
Furthermore, I highlight the necessity of writing a compelling pitch. I stress the importance of focusing on the editor's perspective, keeping the pitch concise, and including essential elements such as the central thesis, sources, and a brief self-introduction. I even offer a free pitch template to aid others in crafting effective pitches.
Additionally, I emphasize the significance of sending a follow-up email after a week to inquire about the status of the pitch. This demonstrates professionalism and keeps your pitch on the editor's radar without being overly intrusive.
Lastly, I acknowledge the inevitability of rejection in freelance journalism and stress the importance of not taking it personally. Rejection can stem from various factors unrelated to the quality of the pitch, such as budget constraints or editorial decisions. Developing resilience and perseverance is crucial for success in this challenging yet rewarding career.
To encapsulate, my firsthand expertise in freelance journalism has allowed me to distill essential tips for newcomers:
- Choose a timely and relevant topic.
- Select a publication that aligns with your pitch.
- Networking is crucial for success.
- Craft a compelling pitch with key components.
- Send a follow-up email after a week.
- Understand that rejection is not a reflection of your abilities.
Freelance journalism demands determination, resilience, and a thick skin, but the rewards are substantial for those who persevere. Feel free to connect with me on Twitter for more tips on kickstarting your career in freelance journalism.
