I’d like to share with you a string of emails I sent and received recently.
Dear [Editor],
I would like to offer you this feature idea for [publication]– hopefully I haven’t missed your print deadlines for your next issue. If you’re interested, please get in touch.
[My pitch went here -- you think I'm gonna show off my technique? Pfft!]
I hope you are interested in the piece and I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards,
Dave
The reply:
Dave,
Thanks for getting in touch. We have already lined up an article about [my pitch] for next month.
Regards
[EDITOR]
Balls. My reply:
Hi [EDITOR]
Not to worry — thank you for getting back to me so quickly.
Best wishes,
Dave
End of discussion. Or was it? A few moments later:
Dave,
I see from your blog that you write about media & technology. We had half an idea for looking at [story]. Is this something you’ve been following?
[EDITOR]
Ah ha! Looks like Mr jBlog has helped me out — yet again!
My piece went into the magazine last week, earning me a modest yet satisfying sum.
Is it worth starting a blog? This piece alone has covered hosting/domain costs for the next two years. You’d be a fool not to!
But isn’t that a bit like trying to hit the bull’s eye shooting at a target with your eyes shut ? You selling something off your blog being read is completely random.
And few editors will have time to read a blog just because you include its URL in some email or pitch.
It is undeniable that commissioned might ensue from a chance reading of a blog, but think of the time taken putting the blog together.
I know I waste too much of my time blogging and am begining to wish the 60-70 thousand words I’ve written in a few months had been better spent writing that novel I’m avoiding or even just selling a few more pitches.
MODERN TIMES IN MUDSHIRES at: http:rocketspage.wordpress.com
rocket’s last blog post..World at War – Gormless Gordon Brown’s Third Reich
It’s too bad that a year of hosting costs less than a week’s worth of groceries.
But still, way to go.
I guess it’s an advantage of your blog being so integrated, if the editor saw your portfolio the blog was only a click away.
Mine is the same, but I’ve yet to have my blog very far ahead of my own solicited work, mostly using it for side notes on stories I’m already covering. Also now blogging on sending myself willingly up a creek and into journalism.
“[My pitch went here -- you think I'm gonna show off my technique? Pfft!]”
Spoilsport!
Seriously, the editor must have been intrigued by something in your pitch (awareness of house style, snappy prose, original angle, free doughnuts …) to be tempted to click on your blog.
Maybe it won’t work for everyone, maybe it will, but it certainly worked for you.
With so many of your 1500 followers on twitter clicking though to your blog, I bet this is not the last commission you get that is prompted by a lively and interesting blog.
Cool article you got here. I’d like to read something more about this theme. Thnx for sharing this information.