Seven Surprisingly Simple Ways Freelance Writers Can Get an Editor’s Attention

And rise to the top of the slush pile.

Top editors get a lot of pitches from freelancers, so you need to stand out the moment your email hits their inbox. Ironically, many freelancers hate pitching, especially if they’re inexperienced and want to break into a prestigious publication, or land a guest post on a popular blog. No matter how good your writing is, sometimes the hardest thing you’ll write is that first query letter or pitch to an editor or blogger you’d just love to work with.

It took me a while to raise the courage to pitch The Washington Post, so I was shocked to get a yes from them (along with an invitation to join their talent network) within 24 hours. In retrospect, I did a few things right, and not just in pitching them a well-written piece, tailored to their readership. High quality writing (and careful targeting) is essential if you want to get featured in a popular publication, but it isn’t always enough. These simple steps can help you catch an editor’s attention straight away.

Use her name

I accept guest posts on my blog, and I once received an email from a potential guest blogger that opened with ‘Dear Sir or Madam’, despite the fact that my About page shows a clear picture of me…