Today's the day you're sending that pitch
Rejection who? Today is the day our pitches go out into the world!
The Clothesline is read by hundreds of writers across Canada, as well as the US, the UK, Europe, and Australia. Please share with your writing friends who love working on their freelance business and share our passion for books, reading, travel, art, ideas, and nature.
Upcoming Events: Get your early bird rate for my mid-year planning day!
Circle Friday, May 17 on your calendar now. That’s the last day you can get the early bird rate for my mid-year planning workshop on June 28. This three hour small group workshop focuses on business planning, goal-setting, and strategy formulation so you can have an incredible second half of 2024.
Tickets are normally $85 but you can grab yours for just $49 this week. Learn more about the workshop and buy tickets here.
Food For Thought
This week, I want you to pitch the big pitch. The scary pitch. The pitch that requires a complicated form. The pitch that is almost certainly going to get you a “no”. I want you to swing, even though we both know that you may not hit that ball. Here’s why.
No one is ever going to show up at your door and announce that you are now a good-enough writer. No one is ever going to say that you’ve been at this long enough, that you’re worthy of sending a story idea to that big name outlet. But you know what you will hear? The voice in your head which says, softly and indignantly, “I could have written that”. YOU know the voice I mean. The one that gasps when they see a newer writer with a byline in that coveted magazine (how dare they have the audacity to believe that their amazing story idea and well crafted pitch was worth more than a non-existent system which should yet doesn’t reward writers of a certain age). It’s the voice that says “Wait. THAT’S a story? I could have pitched that.” It’s the voice that scoffs when you see an article published that was nearly identical to the one you envisioned so very clearly – but never once jotted down, let alone submitted.
The importance of pitching, no matter how slight the odds, is on my brain because a colleague recently congratulated me on pitching (and being rejected by!) the Globe and Mail’s travel section. She commented that she never had the moxie to pitch them herself. But here’s the kicker. This woman was my MENTOR at one of my first journalism conferences. You better believe that I’m now on a mission to convince her to send them a pitch.
Sure, the odds of landing a juicy byline with National Geographic or Conde Nast is slim. But guess what your odds are if you don’t pitch at all? You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. However, that’s not why I want you to pitch the big scary outlet. It’s not so you can take a wild swing and maybe connect with the ball if you’re lucky. It’s so you can establish a relationship with the editors.
Every time you show up in their inbox, every time they send you a “no”, that’s a form of communication. You are showcasing your skills with your well-written pitches and they are sharing their leadership style with how they respond. This is the foundation of a working relationship. They want someone they know and trust to write that assignment. Chances are they aren’t going to feel that vibe with just one or two pitches. But four or ten or nineteen? Your odds just went up because you’re no longer the unknown entity. You’re the consistent, confident writer who knows how to stick with things. Who wouldn’t want to work with someone like that?
If you’re reading this, stop what you’re doing and send out a story pitch to an outlet that’s intimidating. Don’t overthink it. Don’t agonize over it. Just send it. Do it now.
Vanessa
PS: I’m giving you ALL permission to pitch the Globe and Mail’s travel section. You are 100% experienced enough to write for them. Your story idea is 100% worthy of publication with them. You do not need bigger bylines, a fancier website, or a more updated portfolio. Email travelpitches@globeandmail.com today. Do it.