For a freelance blogger, especially when you’re just starting out, creating a winning pitch or application may seem like nothing short of a shot in the dark.
What if nobody replies? What if you don’t know what you’re doing wrong?
At this point far too many would-be-freelancers give up, frustrated by rejections and lack of response to what they thought were winning pitches.
Thankfully, developing the pitching skills to achieve a high rate of acceptance doesn’t have to be difficult. By following a few simple tips, you can easily boost your chances of winning in the freelance blogging pitch game.
Here are 5 easy ways to increase your freelance pitch acceptance rate.
1. Know Your Publication
One of the biggest and most common mistakes is not reading and knowing the publication you’re pitching to.
Blog editors find a lack of awareness about their material to be the most common and most annoying mistake that freelance writers make.
Having a great in-depth knowledge of your client’s material is essential in developing a winning pitch. With this knowledge, you’re more able to craft a pitch or application that suits both the tone and style of the publication, and it will ensure that you don’t send pitches on topics that have recently been covered.
2. Tailor Each Pitch to Its Target
When it comes to sending pitches to clients, quality is more important than quantity.
While some freelancers send out generic template-based pitches in the misguided belief that success is nothing more than a numbers game, they could not be further from the truth. Sending out 1000 generic pitches is a sure way to get 1000 rejections.
Instead of quantity, focus on spending at least a few minutes tailoring each pitch so that you explain how you’ll meet the exact wants and needs of the potential client and their target audience, in a tone that is compatible with the publication, and on a topic that will provide value for the readers. A tailored pitch is far more likely to be rewarded with success than a generic “please hire me” pitch.
3. Show Off Your Awesome Website
Showing your potential client your own functional and attractive website can be a huge boost to your pitch success rate. In fact, there are editors who choose to accept or reject a pitch based on your website. Having a decent writer’s website shows that you are a professional who has dedicated time and effort to showcase your ability.
Your website also serves as a portfolio to demonstrate your expertise, either through samples and testimonials or through your web copy or blog posts. If you do not have your own website, you need to get one yesterday.
4. Pitch Topics You Know
One of the best ways to craft a successful pitch is by selecting clients or topics so that you have relevant expertise or experience to offer. Many clients place a high priority on selecting writers with demonstrated expertise or experience — Darren Rowse of Problogger named it as the #1 criterion in selecting writers for one of his blogs.
By pitching only on areas that you have expertise in, you elevate yourself above all of the other generalist writers who are unfamiliar with that topic, so you stand out of the freelance writing crowd.
5. Proofread Your Pitch
While proofreading your pitch or application may seem like a no-brainer, it’s easy for silly mistakes to sneak into a pitch. Even a small mistake in your grammar or punctuation can lead a promising potential client to click the delete button before he or she has finished reading your query.
Even if it’s just a few quick lines, ensure that your query is free from errors that may lead clients to brand you an amateur. One great idea is to ask a friend or family member to proofread your pitch to catch those mistakes before they make a bad impression on your potential client.
Although writing a winning pitch or application isn’t easy, following these simple tips will drastically improve almost any pitch.
Pitching is far from being a numbers game. Write a quality pitch to put yourself ahead of the pack and win your dream freelance blogging gig.
Have you found other ways to boost your freelance blogging pitch acceptance rate? I’d love to hear your tips!
Image: Joelk75
Jackson Anderson says
December 1, 2013 at 7:28 pmDaryl, you’re just popping up everywhere the last week or so!
Well done and just like your advice given on Carol’s blog – it’s all just as solid here.
I definitely find pitching is the scariest step to take, I mean it’s that step that takes you from a blogger with dreams to a blogger whose actually pursuing them and may have their dreams crushed haha!
Awesome advice as always, hope all is well on your end!
Cheers
Daryl says
December 1, 2013 at 10:44 pmHa thanks Anderson! Quite by chance both of these posts were scheduled close together!
I guess to some people pitching is scary – but I also believe it’s on how you view it as well. If you’re solid in your belief that you’re a great writer and don’t tie your own self worth to whether you receive an answer or not, then I think that makes it much easier to pitch without fear.
Jawad Khan says
December 2, 2013 at 2:22 pmHey Daryl,
Good to see you making strides.
Great post with all very valid points. For me, though, number 1 and 2 are the most important.
Daryl says
December 3, 2013 at 3:45 amThanks Jawad!
Nicolia Whyte says
December 2, 2013 at 11:28 pmGlad to see you’re get your grind on! I especially like #4. I’m still trying to zero in on my niche, even as I’m practicing my writing again. And you make a good point in #5: a different set of eyes is really important when proofreading anything.
Daryl says
December 3, 2013 at 3:46 amNicolia, sometimes I have to facepalm when these obvious mistakes are pointed out to me, but I’m always glad for an extra pair of eyes!
Lynn Silva says
December 3, 2013 at 1:20 amHi Daryl,
Thank you for a very well written article with quite a few tips I can try out. I really like your point about pitching on your niche so that you appear as an expert…but this didn’t work for me…but it still turned out amazing.
I recently pitched on a topic that I was very comfortable with. They accepted my pitch solely on the fact that they loved my query letter. They did not, however, like my topic. So they switched the topic on me and said if I could write an article on their suggested topic, I was in. I freaked out at first because it wasn’t a topic I’m used to.
As I began researching and writing the article, I ended up absolutely loving it. It’s never something I would’ve chosen. But I did it anyway. From doing this, I learned so much. The most valuable thing I took away is that I am capable of much more than I ever imagined.
I think it goes back to the whole purpose of your article. Focus on a very personalized query. It really does make all the difference in the world. Thank you for some great tips and looking forward to reading more of your posts. : )
Daryl says
December 3, 2013 at 3:48 amHey Lynn,
Personalized queries definitely do make a huge difference! If an editor or whoever else you’re pitching notices that they get a generic form letter without you bothering to even put one iota of interest or personalization, you can almost be assured that it’s being deleted right away!
Amal Rafeeq says
December 3, 2013 at 2:11 amHi Daryl,
I admit that I sucks when it comes to pitching other people on the industry. Especially if it’s about a business deal proposal. But now I think Proofreading can help me to get over it. { I didn’t used to do that }
Thanks for those effective tips. Cheers 🙂
Jordan Clary says
December 3, 2013 at 2:47 amGreat tips, Daryl! I’ve found my highest success rate comes when I don’t think too much, but just jot down a few key points. Sometimes I put a ton of time into researching only to have the pitch fall flat.
Daryl says
December 3, 2013 at 3:55 amThanks Jordan!
Oh and I definitely know the feeling of doing a LOT of research for a query only to get no response! Glad that you are getting some success though.
Camika Hayes says
December 3, 2013 at 3:01 amThese are all great points to keep in mind when trying to get jobs. I wish I had encountered this post a year ago. Instead I struggled with focusing on job boards which cater to the lowest bidder. Thanks for sharing what you’ve learned so others won’t make the same mistakes I did!
Halona Black says
December 3, 2013 at 3:37 amGreat tips! I especially like #3! I spent a ridiculous amount of time on my website and I am quite proud of what I was able to accomplish as a non-designer. I learned (and am still learning) a lot. However it is also important to remember that your website doesn’t need to be perfect before making the leap. It is good to get a basic landing page up and continue to pitch rather than wait until your site is perfect.
Daryl says
December 3, 2013 at 3:50 am100% agree Halona. My own website went through a couple of major changes and is still a work in progress, but it has managed to net me clients and people reaching out to me so it’s sure better than having nothing!
Shauna L Bowling says
December 3, 2013 at 3:07 pmGreat tips, Daryl. I have not yet ventured into the query world; it is very intimidating for me. But, just like anything else, I know it’s a hurdle I will overcome. I just have to take the leap!
Daryl says
December 4, 2013 at 2:39 amThanks Shauna!
In my personal opinion, there’s nothing that intimidating about pitching. Look at it as a fun challenge that you’d like to succeed at instead of a hurdle or obstacle to overcome, and it becomes so much easier!
Shauna L Bowling says
December 4, 2013 at 12:51 pmI like your point of view, Daryl. It’s all in the attitude, right?
Leslie Lee Sanders says
December 3, 2013 at 6:54 pmNice post, Daryl!
“If you do not have your own website, you need to get one yesterday.”
Absolutely. If you call yourself a writer, you better have a website where you can prove it. A website is the perfect place to find info on who you are, what you do, and how well you do it. I agree. A website is definitely a must for any freelancer. 🙂 All 5 are perfect tips for pitching. Love your back-to-basics approach.
Daryl says
December 4, 2013 at 2:41 amThanks Leslie! And yes, I’m still amazed at freelancers who don’t have up a website. This is an absolute MUST if you’re serious about freelancing in my opinion.
Emelia says
December 4, 2013 at 9:23 amGood to see you here Daryl-with great tips as usual.
Daryl says
December 5, 2013 at 1:32 pmThanks Emelia!
Maya says
December 5, 2013 at 2:50 amGreat post, Daryl! Congrats on landing those guest posts- it’s real-life proof that your pitching tips work! Your advice makes so much sense it amazes me that so many writers aren’t getting it and try to reinvent the wheel or rather, cut corners.
Congrats again and thanks for the helpful tips!
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Helper says
December 10, 2013 at 12:00 pmSo happy you found Daryl’s post helpful, Maya! 🙂
Thanks for commenting!
Peter Kanayo says
January 4, 2014 at 3:09 amThanks Daryl for reminding me about avoiding generic pitches.
I love the way you captured it- quality over quantity.
Loved your writing- simple, and clear. You have a way of hitting the nail on the head. Thumbs Up and Happy New Year
Ian spencer says
November 2, 2014 at 3:27 amExcellent article. Tailoring your pitches as opposed to send out template pitches to everyone, is crucial to success. As an experienced Caribbean writer, but I newbie to blogging, I am spending the time getting to know the prospective clients and be specific in my queries. Keep up the good work. IRIE MON. ONE LOVE.