Whether it’s through poetry, essay writing, or recalling my lived experiences as the daughter of an immigrant through my memoirs, I’ve always found writing more of a calling — almost a necessity — than a mere act of expression. 

As for many writers, I find the act of sharing my words both powerful and cathartic, often fueled by the hope that those words could resonate with even one reader. But for me, one of the most challenging parts of the writing process is pitching my ideas to online media sites. 

How, after all, can I translate my fabulous idea into a succinct 300-word pitch letter without losing the spark I want to get across? And more to the point, what can I say that captures the attention of managing editors?

The good news is that after decades of honing my craft, I’ve learned some tricks of the trade for getting your work past that industry firewall known as the pitching process. And since I’m all about helping other folks up the ladder with me, here’s a breakdown of my tips for crafting the perfect pitch letter. 

1. Understand what they’re looking for.

One of the biggest mistakes writers make when pitching features for online or print publications is simply pitching content that doesn’t fit what that website is looking for. Take your time to read through the site’s pitch guidelines carefully before even starting your pitch letter. More importantly, spend some time reading other content on their site so you have a good sense of what works with their brand and what doesn’t.

2. Don’t just summarize.

Your pitch letter shouldn’t just rehash your main points. Instead, you’re showing the editor what makes your topic something readers will want to click on. Is your idea related to a recently trending topic? Give examples to show how your idea can leverage that trending topic for search engine optimization (SEO). At the same time, try to break down what makes your idea different from the rest of the content. 

3. Keep it simple.

Resist the urge to infuse your pitch letter with a whimsical quality or overshare personal information. Remember that managing editors can sort through a good deal of content on any given day, and they’re mainly concerned with whether your topic will generate a high level of interest. Keep your pitch letter concise, professional, and streamlined.

4. Include your publication credits.

You don’t want to include everything on your resume, but linking relevant writing credits — especially those that performed well — can go a long way in making your case for why this pitch is a solid bet. If you’ve got a well-established social media presence, be sure to include that information as well since that shows you’ve already got an established audience.

Do you have any tips for writing the perfect pitch letter? Let me know in the comments, and thanks for reading!