This pitch worked for Future of Good
a cold pitch email that turned into an assignment
Hiya writers,
Today I’m sharing a pitch that worked. This will be a semi-regular series moving forward. This week it’s free! But in the future, these will be for subscribers only.
Subscriptions to One More Question are just $6 month. And the first 25 paid subscribers will be locked in for monthly pitch feedback from me. (There are still spots open!)
If you get in on pitch feedback, you’ll simply send me a pitch in a Google Doc once a month, and I’ll offer suggestions for making it stronger and increasing your chances of landing an assignment. I’ll also send you some ideas for publications you could send it to, along with editor contacts if they’re publicly available.
I truly believe that learning to pitch is the most valuable skill you can have as a freelance writer. (Honestly, even more valuable than the skills involved in actually writing the article. You’ll never get a chance to write the article if you don’t know how to send a good pitch!)
Subscribe now to get in on pitch feedback. Or keep hanging out and reading. There’s lots more to come this week. 💛
Subject line: PITCH (time sensitive): Youth Organizers Are Reinventing Earth Day
Hi [EDITOR],
2020 is a critical year in the climate fight, and Earth Day 2020 should be a global opportunity to rally around the future of our planet. But COVID-19 is now making it impossible to move forward with the original plans, which involved large group gatherings and marches across the country. Youth activists are leading the last-minute transition to a new approach.
The new vision for this year's Earth Day is "Earth Day Live," a 72-hour live stream of performances, speeches, artists, activists, and all kinds of educational opportunities. There will be one central site with around-the-clock, live presentations and it will periodically draw in local live streams from around the country. And youth activists are leading the charge to innovate traditional organizing principles for this new online approach.
Youth Activists Reinvent 50th Earth Day as 72-Hour Live Stream
I'd like to interview several youth activists behind both the national efforts for Earth Day and local climate activism groups to find out what it's been these last few weeks, trying to keep Earth Day alive. This piece would focus on their perspectives, the challenges they've faced in losing the in-person element of climate activism communities, and the creativity they've brought to the direction.
I've previously written for Curbed, Sierra Magazine, Playboy, Lonely Planet and many more. I have already made these contacts with youth activists, and could turn this story around in a week.
Let me know what you think, and thanks for your consideration.
Britany
Some thoughts on why this worked…
The timely hook. Always good to have!
I found a specific angle on an event. Instead of just pitching the transition to livestream, I focused on how youth activists were taking leading roles in that work.
I made it clear that I could turn it in quickly.
Editors will eventually be tasked with distilling your article down to a catchy headline, so I like to include one, in bold, in the middle of the pitch. If it catches their attention, they know it’ll probably catch the attention of readers, too.
How it could have been better…
Sharing at least one of my confirmed sources would have strengthened this pitch. Even if you’re not sure whether or not you can reach the person, it helps to give the names of people you might speak to.
And here’s the finished product: How Earth Day Shifted From Strikes to a 72-Hour Livestream
That’s it for today. You can expect the usual Wednesday newsletter tomorrow and another “This Pitch Worked” on Thursday. It’s a newsletter everyday kinda week. Have a good one!