Ian Reeves. What you’ll need Market knowledge An idea A hook Research Contacts Pictures Luck Persistence.

Ian Reeves

What you’ll need

Market knowledge An idea A hook Research Contacts Pictures Luck Persistence

Market knowledge

Your target publication: know it inside out – sections, word counts, key staff (particularly commissioning editors)

Your target publication’s competitors – in print and online

The community that you will be reaching. Do your research.

The idea

Can come from anywhere Likely to arise from your research

into a specific community Try to put yourself in their shoes and

ask questions they want to answer Ask:

Why is this interesting to the community?

Has it been done before? Or recently?

The hook

Why is this interesting now? Is there a news story that has put the

issue into the spotlight? Are there

reports/investigations/court cases underway that will help?

Is there a specific person or group of people looking for (or trying to avoid) publicity on the issue?

Research

You can’t do enough of it Become an instant expert Read all coverage you can find Talk to as many interested parties as

you can Ask every contact who else you

should speak to Talk to PRs

Contacts

Identify the individuals or groups that are essential to your feature

Build their confidence in you Explain what you need and where

you plan to publish Keep them posted about

developments

Pictures

Does your publication use a staff photographer?

Will you need to source your own pictures?

Can your contacts help provide them?

Search the picture libraries and check the cost

Ask PRs

Luck

Budgets Timing Internal politics Unethical staffers Remember there’s no copyright on

ideas

Persistence

Don’t be afraid to follow up your pitch

But don’t push it Don’t expect a high success rate

The pitch

Email is fine – but generally first to check they’re accepting pitches

Keep it short – 4 pars is usually enough Start with the hook – something with the ‘wow’

factor Brief outline Explain who your main sources will be Be clear and specific about which section you’re

pitching at Suggested word count Suggested illustrations Brief biog details about yourself

Feature pitch resources

How to pitch to…. Various specific magazineshttp://www.pressgazette.co.uk/perfect-pitch

Company magazine features ed on how to pitchhttp://www.company.co.uk/careers/how-to-pitch-article-to-a-magazine

Successful magazine writers on how to pitchhttp://www.stylist.co.uk/100/how-to-write-a-magazine-feature

Time Out features editor’s perfect pitchhttp://journograds.com/2013/08/08/how-to-pitch-your-story-to-editors/

How not to pitchhttp://www.theopennotebook.com/2012/01/04/how-not-to-pitch/