I am getting TONS of email responses to a recent call for writers I posted, which is great! A lot are writers who are just starting out, so if you're reading this, I'd love to give you some pointers on pitching that hopefully are helpful to you throughout your career. 1/

Before you reach out, give the site or magazine a quick read to get a handle on what the brand's like. This seems obvious but so many people don't do this! It also helps you decide like, hey, do I even *like* this content?? Is this content I *want* to write? 2/

When you reach out, introduce yourself! Give some information on your experience, education, and any other relevant expertise. "Relevant expertise" is where you can shine! 3/

For example: Maybe you're applying to write for a home decor website (hypothetical, obviously). If you're an avid thrifter who spends every weekend at flea markets, that's relevant experience! You have expertise! 4/

Maybe you have 100 houseplants. That's relevant experience! You have expertise! 5/

A good reporter can write about anything, but as an editor, I like being able to assign stories to people who have some understanding/appreciation of the subject matter. So this info is helpful for me! 6/

Do you have a website? Include that, too. If you don't have a website (it's ok if you don't! I don't have one, either!), then link me to whatever social media you consider your "professional" account. That's probably LinkedIn, but idk, maybe your Insta is your portfolio 7/

You should also include a few clips. Three is great! No particular reason for that other than three feels like a nice number. They should be as recent as possible, and it helps if they're relevant to the gig you're applying for (even if it's tangentially). 8/

Avoid sending clips as attachments if you can. Email spam filters are a beast. 9/

Spell check your email. I know, I know! This feels obvious. But in the excitement sometimes we forget! Not just talking about ~looking good~ when applying for a writing gig—I got an email where the person's site address had a typo, so I couldn't actually read their work. 10/

Including a pitch will help you stand out, too. You may not need one, but it makes you look smart! Editors like smart writers. 11/

If you're including a pitch, try to model it off stories that are already on the site—see what sorts of headlines have been favored, and build from there. If there are no numbered listicles on the site, that's probably not what they're looking for; ditto deep personal essays 12/

Specificity is key with a good pitch! You gotta be specific if you're going to approach a common subject matter in a fresh way. "10 plants you can grow inside" is not specific. But! "10 color-changing houseplants you've never heard of" is very specific! 13/

(I made that up, but I sincerely hope that this is a thing.) 14/

Another impt thing that I also have to do every single month when I come up with stories: do. a. site. search. Make sure we haven't run your exact pitch before. If we have, how can you tweak it to make your take different? Are your color-changing houseplants also carnivorous? 15/

Along with your headline, include a couple sentences about what would be in the story and who you'd source as an expert. If you have a super cool, smart, unique expert in mind, that helps the pitch a lot! 16/

Make sure you give me a way to reach you in your sign-off. 17/

Another important thing! If there are pitch guidelines on the site, consult those. Those override any advice I'm giving you bc as much as I would love to be the ultimate speaker for every site I simply am not. (Also lol I would not like this, that pressure is TOO MUCH.) 18/

I think that's... everything? In the whole world? I will add if I think of more! 19/19 the end

PS: Writers of color and Black writers specifically, please pitch me. I want to hear from you!