INTRODUCTION
Understanding who will be interested in a story and what makes an idea attractive to a publication

WHO TO PITCH YOUR IDEAS TO
Deciding which editors to approach
Tailoring your pitch to different editors

HOW TO PITCH YOUR IDEAS
Selling your idea by phone
Selling your idea by email
How to ‘blanket’ pitch

PITCHING BY PHONE
Creating a good contact list
There is an art to selling your ideas on the phone; what to say and what not to say

PITCHING BY EMAIL
Your email must capture the editor’s interest and make sure they read your proposal. Learn to create short, succinct emails that convey the message and interest of your story idea.

THE IMPORTANCE OF ATTENTION-GRABBING HEADLINES
A headline can make or break a story. Many editors commission story ideas based on the headline alone. We show you how to write clever, attention-grabbing headlines that will get you those vital commissions.


WRITING YOUR PROPOSAL
How to structure a proposal
Deciding how long a proposal should be and how much information to include.
Why it's important to include case study pictures in your initial story idea
How to present an idea in different ways to enable you to pitch to several different publications

WHEN AND HOW TO FOLLOW UP YOUR INITIAL PITCH
How long after you've sent in a proposal should you start pestering the editor? Learn how to enquire about your idea and receive useful, constructive feedback, even if your idea is turned down.

HOW TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH EDITORS
A good relationship with a commissioning editor can lead to last-minute commissions, regular employment and recommendations for other work.

HOW TO APPROACH NEW CONTACTS
How to 'sum up' your skills and experience
How to develop ideas suitable for different magazines and papers.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS