What you really need to know about pitching

Also: Do pitching courses really help?

If I could go back in time and give my younger freelance self some advice, I wouldn’t tell myself to travel more or buy a certain camera or chase a certain trend. It would be this: Pitch more. Pitch consistently. And don’t let rejection shut you down.

I didn’t pitch nearly enough in my early years. I didn’t have a system, I didn’t treat it like a priority, and I took every rejection personally. That combination held me back more than I realized at the time.

I know better now. Here’s what I learned the hard way:

1. Pitching Has to Be a Non-Negotiable Part of Your Week

These days, I pitch on Mondays. Not because Monday is the magic day (you’ll hear all kinds of theories: “Pitch on a Tuesday!” “Never send anything on a Friday!”). The truth is, the best day to pitch is the one you’ll actually stick with.

For me, making Monday my “pitching day” keeps things simple. It’s part of my routine. I don’t let myself push it to Tuesday… or next week… or never. And even when I don’t feel like it—and I rarely do—I still do it. That consistency pays off.

2. Rejections Are Brutal—But They’re Also Progress

So far this year, I’ve been rejected 55 times. It’s never fun. I still cringe when I see the “thanks, but no thanks” emails. But I’ve learned that a rejection is often the next best thing to a “yes.”

When an editor takes the time to personally say no, it usually means they like your writing and your idea. It’s just not the right fit right now. That kind of rejection isn’t a closed door—it’s a gentle nudge to keep going, keep pitching, and eventually find the right home for your story.

They don’t hate you. Your pitch isn’t embarrassing. They want you to place the piece—it’s just not going to be with them.

3. Courses Help—But Only If You Show Up

I’m a big fan of Write Like a Honey Badger school. It’s a solid program with courses on pitching, story development, and interviewing. But even the best resources can only take you so far.

The key is this: you must pitch regularly. No course, format, or template can replace consistent effort. Pitching is a craft. You get better by doing it—again and again. It’s awesome if a course helps you jumpstart that process but it all comes down to you.

My pitches today are very different than they were five or ten years ago. They’re sharper, tighter, more tailored. But guess what? Both versions—the old and the new—have landed me assignments. And both have been rejected. That’s just how it works.

4. A Good Pitch Makes the Editor’s Job Easier

That’s it. That’s the whole goal.

A good pitch is short, clear, and focused. It gives editors a reason to say yes quickly. It makes them look good to their bosses because the idea is timely, relevant, and well-thought-out. You’re not just tossing them a topic. You’re offering them a story: one that’s timely, compelling, and right for their readers. And it shows that you’re ready—you’ve done your research, you have a strong angle, and you’re a safe bet to deliver.

Pitching isn’t magic. It’s not about finding the perfect day or the perfect format. It’s about showing up again and again and learning to treat “no” as a step toward “yes.” I’ve often thought about crafting my own pitch template to share with readers—maybe one day it will happen! But I know from my own personal experience that it’s not about having the ideal template at hand. They can certainly be helpful if you’re feeling stuck but what’s a million times more important is that you develop your own voice, your own rhythm that lets you show editors that you got this.

So what are you going to pitch this week?

Yours,
Vanessa