As explained in the introduction, there are different types of feature, and no such thing as a generic ‘feature’. When pitching to editors you need to have a specific type of feature you’re going to propose, and you need to format it in a way that will fit with the magazine. If you send off a random feature that isn’t targetted towards a certain slot, it cannot be used – it is then put into the ‘slosh pile’.
Pitching to editors is one of the hardest things in freelancing – news more than features. A good way of knowing this would be to network with the commissioning editors and to get to know the things they like. It becomes easier once you have a portfolio of work and they can trust the work you produce. If you get no answer, that is a resounding no.
You have to persuade the commissioning editor of two things: that you have access to the event/person/topic of your feature, and that you have the ability to deliver.
Important elements to think about:
- Pictures (portraits and collects[a picture that when you do an interview with someone you have a collection of pictures of the subject]/availability of subject)
- Timings (the person can be interviewed, it can be written up in time) Lead times – how long it takes to get a magazine out on a stand [cosmo are working on april/may in jan/feb]. You need to be able to produce your article instantly.
- Style – important that you write in the style of the magazine itself (e.g. Sun would be short words, colour [life], straight forward)
Payment:
- For yourself – look at how much it pays per word when freelancing. Subbing pays more. Aim for £350+ per 1k words. Take all effort and time into consideration and judge whether it is worth it.
- For the subject (all women’s will pay the subject, newspapers won’t generally).
Never assume/presume, always ask about all the above points and make sure you’re clear.
Jennifer Kahn (journalist in USA, works for NYT magazine, sports illustrated) shared crucial points on freelancing and how to do it. Here is a summary of The Science (Not Art) of the Magazine Pitch:
- Magazine = strip tease, newspaper = flashed on the subway.
- Research before you pitch (10 one-hour phone calls before pitch, 25% of reporting done before pitch)
- Send pre-pitch introductory email before major pitch – the editors have then asked for the pitch.
- Pitch in five paras
- Summarise story or use an excerpt
- Why we should care
- Why the story affects people in the real world
- Go into specifics – people, places, travel plans
- Remind editor what question you’ll be answering in your feature. Include what you have done, prove yourself, include it in the body of the email rather than seperate.
- Be specific in what you’re going to cover – don’t present ‘junk in the trunk’ – a trunk full of junk that you’re going to rummage through. Have a narrative.
- Keep the start of the pitch short and sweet.
- Send follow-up email 1-2 weeks later. Send an email reminding the editor what your story was, ‘just wanted to check and see if you had a chance to look at it yet’.
- Email subject lines don’t matter – be brief.
- Re-pitch elsewhere if you’re turned down.
Press Gazette is generally a fantastic website for resources, and when it comes to pitching they have an article ‘perfect pitch’ that gives you an insight into some editors’ expectations.
Once you get a good 10 articles published, then contact a PR website.
Very important – where do ideas come from?
- Keep cuttings
- Little jottings
- Talk to friends and family
- Community
When it comes to a portfolio, think about websites with pay walls on. You cannot show your story from a website that has a paywall on it.
zeenawinchesterjournalism.wordpress.com 