How to Write a Good Pitch: Tips from the Editor of The Atlantic (2024)

FAQs

How do you write a good pitch to an editor? ›

Remember, when pitching to a journalist, it's important that you keep it short – so get to the point quickly. Write a catchy subject line, personalize the mail using the journalist's name and other relavant information, and explain why your story is newsworthy and relevant to their audience.

Good pitches illustrate that the reporter has already made some calls, gathered information and/or identified the main players in a story. Editors generally want to know — before green-lighting — that the story is more than a curiosity or a wild goose chase.

to start to do something as part of a group, especially something helpful: If we all pitch in together, it shouldn't take too long. [ + to infinitive ] When I bought this house, all my friends pitched in to help fix it up. My brother pitched in with an offer of help.

Pitch words also communicate more information than stressed words. In the following sentences, the words "like" and "where's" are stressed words. The words "water" and "baby" are stressed words and pitch words. I'd like some water.

He was taken to hospital after his collapse on the pitch. He dribbled the ball to the edge of the pitch. At the end of the match, the pitch was a real quagmire. Unfortunately the game was cancelled because of a waterlogged pitch.

There are only seven note names (A, B, C, D, E, F, G), and each line or space on a staff will correspond with one of those note names. To get all twelve pitches using only the seven note names, we allow any of these notes to be sharp, flat, or natural.

The purpose of the three sentence pitch is to communicate who you are, what you do, and what you want in three sentences. There are many fancy ways to slice this. For example, you can include a catchy intro, articulate your unique value proposition, and exchange business cards to follow up with a call.

How long should a pitch be? ›

Pitches are typically 1 to 1.5 pages long, with a typical structure as follows: i. A paragraph that hooks editor and shows you can hook reader, in the style of the journal. ii.

Pitch letters should not exceed 1-page in length and you should write them in the style and voice of the publication that you would like to write for. Clarity is key. You should use simple, declarative sentences, clear paragraphs, and a minimum of qualifiers in your pitch letters.

The 3Cs of Copy Editing – Correctness, Consistency, Completeness.

A great editor revels in your best moments often enough to soften the mentions of your worst ones. A great editor knows when to push you a little harder and when that will only sow frustration. A great editor makes you feel safe and supported enough to take chances, but pipes up when you're taking a truly stupid one.

Has strong writing and language skills. Language and writing are at the heart of any editor's work. An editor should also have a keen interest in writing and a strong command of English in general. They must ensure that all written content follows proper grammar, punctuation, and syntax rules.

When it comes to communicating, remember The Four C's: Content, Clarity, Concise Information and Compelling Delivery. Make sure your content is relevant, your language is clear, your delivery is well-paced, you don't include any unnecessary details and that you do all you can to connect with your audience.

How do you sell yourself in a pitch? ›

Compose Your Story/Elevator Pitch

Developing your pitch is relatively simple: You want to express what you do in your current role, how you contribute, and where you'd like to be and why. Keep it short, around 30 to 45 seconds, and targeted to the role and company to which you're applying.

Some common synonyms of pitch are cast, fling, hurl, sling, throw, and toss. While all these words mean "to cause to move swiftly through space by a propulsive movement or a propelling force," pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target.

She was calling out to him in a high pitched sound. This is not a pitched battle for the future of humanity. Outside a pitched battle was taking place.

We were late, so we missed the beginning of the movie. The changes that have been made so far are just the beginning.

Blowing a whistle produces a high pitch sound while hitting a drum produces a low pitch sound. You will realize that a violin produces a high pitch sound, while human heartbeat has a low pitch sound. In a similar way, chirping of birds is a high pitch sound, while a lion's roar is a low pitch sound.

In the work of Trager and Smith there are four contrastive levels of pitch: low (1), middle (2), high (3), and very high (4).

A simple sentence is a sentence that consists of just one independent clause. For example: I know the answer. My dog and my cat sleep together on the sofa.

How long should a pitch to an editor be? ›

Pitches are typically 1 to 1.5 pages long, with a typical structure as follows: i. A paragraph that hooks editor and shows you can hook reader, in the style of the journal. ii.

If the pitch is time sensitive I follow up within 24-48 hours, but if it's not I tend to follow up after a week. I used to wait 10 days – 2 weeks before I would follow up, but recently I've started getting impatient and following up after just seven.

Warm pitching “warms” up potential clients by creating a connection with them. Instead of emailing random people, you're reaching out to companies you genuinely want to work with.