1) FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE PUBLICATION
Read the magazine or listen to the podcast before pitching so you know if your idea is a fit.
2) BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH FOLKS IN PUBLISHING
It’s often the assistant editors who are the gatekeepers to what the final decision makers see.
3) CONSIDER WAITING TO POST IMAGES ONLINE
Editors may reject submissions if the project images are already online because they want to be the first to publish it.
4) KEEP PITCHES CONCISE
Include a few descriptive sentences and include 2 - 4 photos in the body of the email.
5) PITCH A PROJECT TO JUST ONE PUBLICATION AT A TIME
Give the editor about a business week to respond before sending it elsewhere.
6) FOLLOW UP JUST ONCE
You can follow up by saying, “I haven’t heard from you; I assume it is not a fit, but I want to give you first right of refusal before submitting to another publication.”
7) BE RESPONSIVE
Editors like reaching out to people they know will get back to them quickly.
8) GET EDITORIAL-READY PORTRAITS
Editors like photos that are ready for the magazine in case of a tight deadline or inability to send a photographer to the submitter.
9) MEET EDITORS IN PERSON, BUT DON’T PITCH
Build relationships and allow editors to put your face to your name at trade shows or conferences, but wait to pitch until after the event is over.
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