How to Pitch a Story

By Elizabeth Kirwin

How to Pitch a Story

Ever wonder why we refer to convincing an editor a story is worthy by “pitching a story?” I have. I’m a baseball enthusiast, and it makes a lot of sense to me. When the editor is at bat with you, he or she has a few swings to make before making a connection – through the story idea (ball) that could end up being a base hit or a home run. Naturally, everyone wants to hit a home run when they go to bat with an editor. Sometimes publicists and writers do have to walk to first base for the story assignment. Here are some helpful tips on how to pitch a story to an editor – and how to at least hit a single, double, or triple – if not a home run on occasion.

Use an Editor’s Time Productively

Time spent on the telephone with an editor is more like a gift from God. If you want to be successful at purveying a story idea, it’s best to have the information you want to convey rehearsed, or in note written form prior to your call. Try not to spend more than 10 or 15 minutes speaking about your story idea. Always ask the editor, “Is this a good time for you?” before beginning your pitch. Another great way to reach an editor is by a well-written e-mail pitch. In either case focus the presentation or conversation on your story idea(s). If the editor is interested, he or she may ask more questions. If not, the editor should tell you.

Facts, Sources, Images

The editor needs to be interested in the theme of your story. A quick 2-3 sentence synopsis should offer an original focus or angle on a topic related to the publication. For example, if I wanted to pitch to Ms. magazine, I’d want to have a feminist event, profile, or feature idea that would be appropriate. Identify potential research sources for your story, or elaborate upon contacts with experts in the area, to let the editor know you are capable of tackling the subject. This expansion on your topic is key to keeping the editor’s interest. Many magazine and newspaper editors will also ask you up front about the availability of photographs to go with the story. Be prepared answer this question with some viable suggestions for photos and a creative approach. By now you’ve sold the story idea. So, don’t forget to ask about the availability of a staff photographer from the publication to assist with photos.

Where do I Find Stories to Pitch?

Whether you are working for yourself or an organization or company, you have your comfort zones. These are vendors you are doing business with, your immediate environment, and social functions that seem aligned with your work. Go outside of your usual boundaries, experiment in other social venues, and talk to people as often as possible. I look for story ideas when I’m on assignment with a story. Because I write daily, I know that one story will inevitably lead to another. I also pick up story ideas in the bar, at the university where I work as a teacher, from other clients, from students, local activists, or during outdoor group activities such as hiking and camping. I listen closely to what people say, and I carry around my favorite pocketbook sized bungee notebook to record my thoughts and story ideas. When I have an editor on the telephone, or am lucky enough to meet one in person, I act like I did when I played ball: I just start pitching.

Tools of the Trade

Once, I had a bead collection I acquired from a friend who was sick of beading. She said to me, “if you just look at the collection long enough, you’ll have ideas.” This is what I did, and this is how I made my necklaces.

For writers, I recommend they look at as many hard copy and on-line publications as possible. Don’t forget to obtain a copy of the current Writers Market. It’s a useful publication for profiling buying publications. I suggest the budding writer look into publications in sync with their personal interests. For example, I enjoy backcountry hiking and camping. I would probably want to contact outdoors magazines to pitch them some stories. I also have an interest in local newspapers, travel, educational, and holistic healing magazines. I’ve pitched to all of these types of publications. When you find a publication you really like, write down the editor’s name, e-mail, phone number and start to pitch. There’s also a great writers’ site called www.writingformoney.com. For $8 per month you can review an interactive on-line listing of publications which are currently buying new work. With these links, you can visit the publications directly, read about them, and e-mail the editor your pitch. The longer you look at these tools of the trade, the more ideas will percolate.

Hit a Home Run

You want to hit a home run with an editor and land a story? Well, try going to bat with two to three story ideas instead of just one. Or the story you’ve developed can be pitched at different angles, which may make it more suitable for your publication of choice. Make sure to view at least several articles from the publication itself before pitching an editor, so you can have an idea of that editor’s taste in material and style. All of these tips should help you land a great story, and even more in the future. As with baseball: practice. With practice, you’ll learn how to pitch like an expert.

About The Author: Elizabeth Kirwin has published work in national magazines and newspapers. She is co-owner of Sidhe Communications http://www.sidhecommunications.com in Asheville NC. She develops web sites, newsletters, brochures, and other marketing materials for companies and health care ogranizations nationally.For more information, e-mail ekirwin@bellsouth.net. ekirwin@bellsouth.net

5 Questions To Generate Great Ideas

One of the handiest bits of "equipment" to the idea searcher may be an inquisitive child. The best place for him may prove to be, not the quiet spot on a mountain top he dreams of, away from people, but in a battle of wits with his children. The number of questions a child can ask is astonishing. Why are handkerchiefs square? Why is soap slippery? Why is a clock called a clock?

A list of questions has been devised to keep you moving on a straight track instead of foggily in a circle. These questions will help you quickly analyze an ordinary problem; enable you to see all around it completely, get at its hidden values, give you many fresh ideas, talking points and idea-seeds.

Every newspaper reporter is familiar with the five questions - what, who, when, where, why. These are a good beginning for any analysis of a situation. Using these, you should seek every possible association of your subject - the subjects closely related to it in any practical way.

What?

Begin any search for ideas with a definition. Just what is the problem or the thing? Of what is it composed, and of what other materials might it be made? Thus the use of plastics for metals saves vast quantities of useful natural resources. What is the purpose, and can an additional purpose be found for it, as a truck that moves from town to town and also houses its occupants (the trailer); or a hassock that opens on top and provides space for little oddments inside.

Who?

Who are the people concerned. Every product or idea is good only as far as it is suitable, and available to the people for whom it is intended. You must know the buyer, the audience, the user, the reader, or whatever group you wish to appeal to. You must keep your idea within the range of their capacity to use, enjoy and pay. Think of the people - their needs, tastes, comforts. Think too of the people who will be engaged in producing the product. This often opens up new angles.

When?

When is it used? Can it be used at another time? For instance basic dresses, which may be worn day or evening by a simple change of accessories. Or a canned fruit, which may be preserved in summer for use in winter. Or a book of the month plan which functions recurrently.

Where?

Some ideas can be transplanted from another part of the world. A few years ago someone traveling in Japan found that the natives used only paper handkerchiefs. The practice impressed the traveler for its sanitary, disposable quality, and when he returned, he invented a modern, better way based on this idea, and gave us Kleenex. He also gave us by way of his advertising, countless additional uses for the same product, and was among the first to awaken other people to the value of paper for kitchen and household uses.

Why?

Can you find additional reasons "why" for its use, other virtues or values to exploit in it that make a stronger idea? Some products have such values that are never even realized by users. Thus few people who used a certain well-known soap, knew that there was a reason why there was a little indentation in the top of it. But when the piece was well worn down, you could fit it into this recess of a new cake the two wet pieces merging and thus eliminating waste scraps. Look for these plus values.

How?

Another important question is How. By analyzing all the processes and methods, new ideas and improvements may be discovered. Thus, crinkled hairpins or bobby pins that stay put. Another manufacturer roughened his paper clips, causing them to hold papers together more securely, and made a large fortune on this small improvement. Consider how it was made and whether it can be made a more convenient way, as windows, which may be washed from inside the room.

With these simple questions as your basis, you will be able to generate any number of great ideas. Good luck! About the Author: Discover The Secret Brainstorming Techniques To Solve Problems, Quickly & More Effectively Than Even Before! Click here for FREE online Ebook http://www.brainstormtechnique.org/