3 Quick Tips for Writing the Perfect Pitch Email to an Editor

You've got an idea. You know who you want to interview and what details will go into the piece, and you've even thought about imagery that will go with the story. Now all that's left to do is find a home for your article. So now, it's time to pitch.

The pitching process can be daunting, and getting through to an editor can be tough. It's important to remember that editors at top-tier publications likely receive hundreds of pitches from writers and press relations professionals. That means it's easy for editors to quickly pass over a pitch if it doesn't immediately feel right. But we have a few ideas to help your pitch shine through the chaos and get to the top of their inbox.

Make your subject line clear and succinct 

Grabbing an editor's attention all begins with a great subject line. Remember, your pitch has to grab them quickly over the hundreds of others they receive in a day — and that typically happens right when they look at their inbox. 

Start by thinking about which emails you click on first. They are attention-grabbing, short, and right to the point — just as your subject line needs to be. Keep it under 60 characters to ensure the entire subject line displays. 

Make it clear what you're after by adding the word "Pitch" to your subject line, unless it's an extremely timely offer. In that case, add "TIMELY Pitch." 

Then, make your pitch clear by adding a grabby headline (just as you would for a story). Something like "Pitch: This Hotel Is Hiding a Major Secret in Its Basement." Who wouldn't want to find out what the secret is?

Keep the email short

Again, editors are busy, so it's important to get to the point. Keep your entire email under 250 words. Yes, just 250 words. 

Use the first sentence or two to introduce yourself if this is the first time you've emailed this editor. "Hi Jane, I hope all is well. Stacey Leasca here, travel and lifestyle journalist with bylines in Travel + Leisure, Departures, the Los Angeles Times, and more. Please find a few of my favorite clips here." (Link to your portfolio or individual pieces.) And don't worry if you haven't written for major publications just yet — it's absolutely OK to link to a personal blog or a college newspaper, or skip that step altogether and just leave it at "...travel and lifestyle writer." 

Next, lead into your pitch by giving them a headline and a brief description of the story, adding any specific details or names of people you want to interview to show you've done some research. Here's an example: 

I've shared a pitch below, but I would also love to stay on your radar for calls for pitches. I look forward to your feedback. 

-Stacey 

'Second Summer' Is almost Here — Here's Where You Can Experience It Best 

The air is a little cooler, and you're already pulling out your sweaters for fall. But hang on — second summer is right around the bend. 

You still have three more weeks to enjoy the official summer season and, in some unexpected places, at least a few more weeks of warmth into mid-to-late fall, according to the American Meteorological Society. It defines "Second Summer" as "a period of abnormally warm weather that occurs in mid to late autumn and after the first frost." And it's prime time to see some of the world's most luxurious destinations without the crowds. (Think of it as the ultimate shoulder season.) 

This piece will define the "second summer" period and where you can make the most of it with tips on visiting still lovely destinations like Turks and Caicos, underrated Greek Islands, southern Portugal, and parts of the U.S. including the Carolina coast and northern New England.

Finally, follow up 

Haven't heard back? It's OK to follow up. But there's an art to how you do it. 

First, don't overwhelm editors. Keep it professional by only following up on their work email. Do not take it to their personal emails or to their personal social media channels (NOTE: Some editors put a line in their social bio saying "DMs are open," which means it's fine to send a note there, but remember it's their personal space and this is the exception, not the rule). 

Next, follow up — once. That's it. Once. Sometimes an editor can miss your initial email. Sometimes they liked it, and then it slipped their mind. Again, it’s OK to follow up, but do not do it over and over again. If you do that, all you're doing is building a reputation as a pest. Follow up one time with a quick, "Hi, Jane, following up on the pitch below. Thanks for your time." And that's it. If it's a timely pitch, you can add in, "Hi Jane, following up on the pitch below. Due to its timely nature, I will pitch to a few other publications on Thursday if I don't hear back, but I wanted to give your publication first dibs. Thanks for your time."

What if you get rejected?

Great! Seriously, that's great. It means the editor took the time to read your pitch and email you back. It may just be that it's not right for their publication at the moment, they are low on budget, or they have different needs. But what they've done by rejecting you is open the door. Email back thanking them for their response, ask if they have pitching guidelines or needs, and follow up as soon as you can with a few more ideas that fit. And take the rejection as a win.