Pitching stories to editors
- 1. Pitching stories Q&A with editors
- 2. Q: What is the best method for pitching a news story? A: Know what the issue is and why it's important. Don't just say "I want to write about (whatever)." Know the subject and put it in context. And be able to do it succinctly. A: The story idea must be communicated instantly to the editor. Not every detail, but a sort-of headline that should spring to mind whenever the idea comes up. The reporter must then be able to explain clearly what the story will explore and explain. These things can change as the story is reported and things are uncovered, but the idea should be clear from the start. For example…
- 3. For example: "It's a shark attack story. But it's not just another run-of-the mill shark-bites-man story. Some scientists are saying the common perceptions that shark attacks on humans are increasing are wrong, and sharks don't really like eating people. I want to examine whether the man-eating "Jaws" is real or a myth.“
- 4. SUMMARY Q: What is the best method for pitching a news story? -Know the issue (do some reporting before you pitch!) -Be clear and succinct (don’t be wordy!)
- 5. Q: What are you looking for in an effective global news story pitch? A: A passion for the issue. A reporter has to care about what he or she is doing and should be excited about doing it. At the same time, the writer has to be able to look at multiple sides of the issue -- don’t enter with a given conclusion already reached. Something that, while it may appear local, can be seen in a bigger context. i.e., the lack of clean water may affect a small village but, is it isolated to that area, or does the region or country have the same problem? A: The story must have appeal to the broadest possible audience. It must either be important to an audience outside the country in which the story is occurring, or say something new and interesting about that country or its people that will resonate with an outside audience. The journalist pitching the story should be able to put it in that context.
- 6. SUMMARY Q: What are you looking for in an effective global news story pitch? -Reporter’s passion/concern BUT “don’t enter with a given conclusion already reached.” -Needs broad, global appeal
- 7. Q: What makes you want to hang up on a news pitch, or delete a query from your inbox? A: Time more than anything else. Be succinct; know that editors are busy and get to the point. And don’t be obnoxious. You can push your agenda without going overboard. Listen to the questions the editors pose -- and be sure they are answered in the final version of the article. A: Ideas that have not been thought through and are unspecific.
- 8. Q: What is the single most important piece of advice you can leave with the students today? A: My best advice is to write and write and write. It’s the best way to hone the craft. Read the good journalists in your region and look carefully how they handle a story and craft it. Read any good writers -- even novelists -- for an idea of what works (and what doesn't) as far as reading ease and clarity. Don’t condescend to your readers but also don’t expect they know the subject as you do; each time you write about a subject needs to include background. Just because it's not the first time you've read on the issue doesn't mean your readers have done so. A. Know your stuff. Do some reporting before you decide whether you are on to a story or not. Be willing to listen to other ideas, and take them on board. Many great stories come from collaborations that start with a good idea but that take twists and turns as they are reported out or as others bring in ideas.
- 9. Q: What is the best way for a writer to sell themselves and their story to you without becoming obnoxious? A: Do your homework. A good editor should always be willing to hear good ideas, no matter where they come from or who pitches them. But editors are also trained BS (bullshit) detectors and the chances are that if you don't know your stuff, they will be able to tell.
- 10. Q&A with a freelance journalist
- 11. Q: What should a seasoned journalist do before pitching their news story? How should they prepare? A: There are three things one should remember before pitching: 1. Research well the topic you are pitching. You should have a solid grasp of the topic to be able to answer any resulting queries with confidence. 2. There should be a clear reason/peg why you are proposing the story at that very point in time and it should be outlined right in the beginning. 3. Lastly, but most importantly, the pitch should be your story in a nutshell. Ideally it should be no bigger than a paragraph. But that paragraph should be able to engage the editor as much as the story would later engage the readers.
- 12. Q: Is follow-up on a news pitch important? A: Yes, it is very, very important. The editors receive many mails in a day and sometimes they put away mails thinking of getting back to you later and often they will tend to forget. As a freelancer, it is very important that one should gently remind the editor after a week or so about the idea. If it's a pitch with a longer shelf life then you can query again after 2-3 weeks. But follow-up is must. The challenge is to find a balance where you do follow-up but without it looking like you are harassing the editor. So, space it out, keep it casual and friendly and restrict it to a line or two.
- 13. Q: What were some obstacles you've had to overcome with editors? A: Some editors are nice, some are not, some are cranky, and some are plain nasty. But editors are clients and as they say “the client is always right .”:) I have had to overcome too much enthusiasm from certain editors who have been overexcited about stories and then gone incommunicado when it came to execution of the story ideas. I think for me that was the biggest obstacle when editors went incommunicado. But I never really gave up and would e-mail them gentle reminders from time to time till they got back to me. The other problem I encountered was that some editors were approachable only till the story was happening and when it came to the payment part they worked really slowly. They always blame it on accounts, but I think it is an editor's responsibility to see that his/her freelancer got paid on time.
- 14. Q: What was the greatest lesson you've learned about pitching a news story? A: That it cannot be hurried. You have to invest time to come up with a good pitch. You cannot just throw together a few lines. Q: Do you have any other advice for the students? A: Persistence, discipline and diligence are the key words to being a freelancer. Also, get a website for yourself - it always helps. It tells the editors much more about you as a person than a black and white CV. Good luck!