When to Send Article Pitches (and Other Important Emails). If you’ve worked with the editor before, it still might not be a priority to review your article pitch promptly. After all, an editor may have requested that you submit a pitch to them on a Friday or Monday. It’s simply a way to think about reaching out to someone when they might be more receptive to hearing your idea. Short-term to-do lists: work that must get done that day … or that week Long-term to-do lists: work that is not a top priority but needs to get done eventually If you send an article pitch on a Friday or Monday, the editor might want to respond. If it’s mainly important to you, is there a better time to send the email? But pausing here gives you a chance to think about whether or not the person may prefer to receive it at another time. If it’s an article pitch, would waiting to submit your idea until later in the year be beneficial? If you submit an article to a publication that doesn’t review unsolicited pitches, you likely won’t get a response no matter how compelling your topic is. Over to you … What are your tips for sending article pitches to editors?
It feels good when you’ve done your research before pitching an article idea to an editor:
- You know the publication’s audience
- You know your topic offers value in unique ways
- You know the editor’s content preferences and pet peeves
But you’re not done yet.
Although hitting the “send” button on your email seems like an inconsequential step in your article pitching process, I recommend pausing before you take that action.
That moment of excited impatience could spoil all the important research you’ve just performed.
Caution: avoid these days of the week
Have you ever suggested a fun activity to a friend, significant other, or family member when they’re in a bad mood, and they immediately decline?
Although they would normally love your idea, you’ve asked them at a time when they don’t want to be bothered.
I compare that experience to submitting an article pitch to an editor on a Friday or Monday.
Friday is a day to wrap up the workweek before the weekend and organize upcoming tasks.
Monday is a day to catch up from the weekend and start juggling pressing priorities.
When you reach out to someone you don’t know, your email might get lost in the hustle and bustle of those busy days. If you’ve worked with the editor before, it still might not be a priority to review your article pitch promptly.
Another warning
My theory about Fridays and Mondays is absolutely not a strict rule. After all, an editor may have requested that you submit a pitch to them on a Friday or Monday.
It’s simply a way to think about reaching out to someone when they might be more receptive to hearing your idea.
Keeping that guideline in mind, I’ve had a high success rate of getting responses from editors over the years.
Short-term and long-term to-do lists
We all have to prioritize our work, and there are two common types of to-do lists.
- Short-term to-do lists: work that must get done that day … or that week
- Long-term…
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