Why Now Is The Best Time Of Year To Pitch
It’s true: timing is everything
It’s fair to say that 99 per cent of the writers I’ve worked with are terrified of pitching.
They tell themselves they’re not good enough to be shooting ideas at that publication, worry their angle isn’t original enough, and second guess the way they’ve written their pitch.
It’s hard: there’s very little info out there guiding writers on how to pitch well.
There’s also nothing about WHEN to pitch. Often, this can be the difference between whether or not you get a green light from an editor, or client.
If you nail the timing, there’s a good chance they’ll not only open your email, they’ll also be receptive to it. Hit send during their busy period, and they won’t even notice your carefully crafted pitch that you’ve spent way too long on and plunged your heart and hopes into.
So, how to get it right? Here’s a huge tip: mid-January is the BEST time of year to send out pitches.
Why?
It’s when editors are crawling back to their desks, revived from the festive holiday but with nothing in their ‘next issue’ files. They’re scouring around for ideas with a blank mind that’s still sitting beside the pool with a cocktail. From their perspective, half the population is still on leave, and no one is answering their phone or checking their email, making generating fresh stories hard work.
It’s a time when editors are HUNGRY for anything that resembles a decent story.
So, if you’ve been procrastinating on an idea you think might work as a piece of writing, send the pitch NOW.
Want more evidence?
In the past week, I’ve been asked by both ABC radio and 6PR to talk about hot travel trends and destinations for 2023. Why have they booked me to talk about something that comes around every. single. year. at this time? Because the ideas tank is empty, listeners are constantly interested in trends and new stuff, and the radio producers know they can rely on me to return their calls and deliver the goods.
That’s what editors want in January.
If you need any support around how to write an excellent pitch and approach the publication of your dreams, feel free to get in touch.
I’ll be accepting new 1:1 mentoring clients (only a couple spots left!), and I’ll be launching a new group writing course from mid-Feb onwards (it’s filling up already). I’m offering a special price on each of these, but only until Jan 24.
Hit the button below if you want to know more and we can have a chat to see if it’s what you’re looking for.
Here’s to a rip roaring 2023.
3 things my mentorship clients are asking about (and you might find handy)
Q. How can I write what I want, rather than just accept jobs that come to me?
A. This is where pitching comes in. If you’re burning to write in a particular way, and/or about a particular topic, research your idea thoroughly then craft a targeted pitch and send it to the publication it fits best in. If you’re struggling, this is something I can help you with.
Q. What’s the easiest way to polish my writing skills?
A. One word: read. Read as often as possible, and read the sorts of publications you’d love to see your writing in. Challenge yourself to read more sophisticated/characterful/personality-driven writing than you might normally. Google words you don’t know the meaning of and learn them. Read with an eye on the styles used. You’ll learn a lot and it will naturally filter through to your writing.
Q. How do I shift writer’s block?
A. There are loads of techniques I share in my mentoring programs, but probably the simplest is to just change your location. If you’ve been writing from your home office all day, skip out to a cafe and notice how the change of scene revitalises both your writing and your mental outlook.
