In this article on Mediargh, freelance writer Erica Buist has put together a guide on pitching feature articles, where she gives tips on when and how to reach editors in order to increase your chances of getting your story commissioned.
For example if you can't find the name of the person responsible for the section you want to pitch to, don't hesitate to just call the company and ask for their name and details. Buist also advises to avoid pitching at certain times, such as when the paper is about to go to print, or at the beginning and end of the week, when editors are probably busy and your email might go unnoticed.
Once you start structuring your email pitch, summarise your idea and make sure you mention what you can bring to the table to contribute to the story, for example photography skills, because “that eases the pressure on time, organisation, and budgets”.
Want to get started with freelance feature writing? Check out our online course taught by Ellie Levenson.
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