Cold-Pitching: The Thrill is Real

Most beginning authors shy away from cold pitching, and there's a good reason for that. It hardly ever works. But when it does, it's an absolutely fantastic feeling. 
Cold pitching is where you send an article or a query for an article or story to an editor who hasn't asked for it. This might happen if you have something to contribute to a publication but you can't find any writer's guidelines. So you track down the email of the right editor, and you pitch your idea. 
The reason cold pitches rarely result in a home run is that magazine editors have tons of articles pitched to them nearly every day of their professional lives (and probably most days in their personal lives as well). 
Here are some tips for the cold pitch. 
  • Do your homework. Make sure you've looked everywhere for those writer's guidelines. If they exist, the editor will expect you to use them. 
  • Know that your pitch is right for the publication. If you are going to gain that editor's attention, you need to offer something relevant. 
  • Make your pitch sing. Write your pitch ahead of time, and edit it for content and clarity. Start with a first sentence designed to grab the editor's attention and interest. 
  • Keep it short. This is not the time for a three-page summary of your piece. Your goal is for the editor to ask you to send more. 
  • Say thank you. For heaven's sake, be polite. You are schmoozing here, so put your best foot forward. 
  • Have realistic expectations. You probably won't get a response at all. But if you do get a response, even a no to this particular pitch, you've opened a door! Wait a few weeks and pitch the same person again with something new. 
Cold-pitches can be fun, and they are great exercises in writing queries. Just try not to be annoying, and you'll find that every once in a while you will get an encouraging response.

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