How To Pitch A Profile

Before pitching a profile to an outlet, you should check to see their pitch guidelines to see whether your idea is a good fit. After you’ve done that, check out these essential steps to crafting a good pitch:

• Research whether this topic or person has been covered before. If it has, what’s your new angle? Is this artist/figure addressing/plugging something new?

• Determine 3 -5 things that you’d like to cover in your profile. Your pitch should be a synthesis of what you want to cover. Boil down your pitch to 3 – 5 points, and go from there. For instance, if you’re getting an interview with an artist about their new exhibition, include 3 -5 things that you will ask them about. 

• Introduce your pitch with a general sentence about who you are, and any recent bylines.
• Your pitch shouldn’t be longer than two paragraphs. Editors are very busy. Hence, your pitch should be short and sweet and to the point. You don’t need to write the whole article beforehand. Rather, you should give a broad idea as to what you plan on writing. 
• Word count. Propose a word count to the editor. However, the editor may get back to you asking for more or less.
• Proofread. Read your pitch out loud and check for any grammatical errors. This is a sample of your writing, and as such, should read well.

• Send! Wait 7 – 10 business days before following up with the editor. In general, only follow up once. Best of luck!