Here are the key points I gathered from the discussion:
- Do thorough research on your topic before pitching a story idea. Understand the issue inside and out.
- Have a clear reason for why the story is relevant and timely. Outline the peg/context in the pitch.
- Keep pitches concise, ideally one well-written paragraph that engages the editor.
- Follow up gently after 1-2 weeks if you don't hear back, to remind editors of your idea without being a nuisance.
- Building relationships with editors takes time. Be persistent but also flexible and easy to work with.
- Get real reporting experience under your belt before deciding if an idea is worth pursuing.
2. Q: What is the best method for pitching a news story?
A: Know what the issue is and why it's important. Don't just
say "I want to write about (whatever)." Know the subject
and put it in context. And be able to do it succinctly.
A: The story idea must be communicated instantly to the
editor. Not every detail, but a sort-of headline that should
spring to mind whenever the idea comes up. The reporter
must then be able to explain clearly what the story will
explore and explain. These things can change as the story is
reported and things are uncovered, but the idea should be
clear from the start.
For example…
3. For example: "It's a shark attack story. But it's not just
another run-of-the mill shark-bites-man story. Some
scientists are saying the common perceptions that shark
attacks on humans are increasing are wrong, and sharks
don't really like eating people. I want to examine whether
the man-eating "Jaws" is real or a myth.“
4. SUMMARY
Q: What is the best method for pitching a news story?
-Know the issue (do some reporting before you pitch!)
-Be clear and succinct (don’t be wordy!)
5. Q: What are you looking for in an effective global news
story pitch?
A: A passion for the issue. A reporter has to care about what he or she is
doing and should be excited about doing it. At the same time, the writer has
to be able to look at multiple sides of the issue -- don’t enter with a given
conclusion already reached.
Something that, while it may appear local, can be seen in a bigger context.
i.e., the lack of clean water may affect a small village but, is it isolated to that
area, or does the region or country have the same problem?
A: The story must have appeal to the broadest possible audience. It must
either be important to an audience outside the country in which the story is
occurring, or say something new and interesting about that country or its
people that will resonate with an outside audience. The journalist pitching
the story should be able to put it in that context.
6. SUMMARY
Q: What are you looking for in an effective global news
story pitch?
-Reporter’s passion/concern BUT “don’t enter with a
given conclusion already reached.”
-Needs broad, global appeal
7. Q: What makes you want to hang up on a news pitch, or
delete a query from your inbox?
A: Time more than anything else. Be succinct; know
that editors are busy and get to the point. And don’t be
obnoxious. You can push your agenda without going
overboard. Listen to the questions the editors pose --
and be sure they are answered in the final version of
the article.
A: Ideas that have not been thought through and are
unspecific.
8. Q: What is the single most important piece of advice you can leave with the students
today?
A: My best advice is to write and write and write. It’s the best way to hone
the craft.
Read the good journalists in your region and look carefully how they handle
a story and craft it. Read any good writers -- even novelists -- for an idea of
what works (and what doesn't) as far as reading ease and clarity. Don’t
condescend to your readers but also don’t expect they know the subject as
you do; each time you write about a subject needs to include background.
Just because it's not the first time you've read on the issue doesn't mean
your readers have done so.
A. Know your stuff. Do some reporting before you decide whether you are
on to a story or not. Be willing to listen to other ideas, and take them on
board. Many great stories come from collaborations that start with a good
idea but that take twists and turns as they are reported out or as others
bring in ideas.
9. Q: What is the best way for a writer to sell
themselves and their story to you without
becoming obnoxious?
A: Do your homework. A good editor should always be
willing to hear good ideas, no matter where they come
from or who pitches them.
But editors are also trained BS (bullshit) detectors and
the chances are that if you don't know your stuff, they
will be able to tell.
11. Q: What should a seasoned journalist do before
pitching their news story? How should they
prepare?
A: There are three things one should remember before pitching:
1. Research well the topic you are pitching. You should have a
solid grasp of the topic to be able to answer any resulting
queries with confidence.
2. There should be a clear reason/peg why you are proposing
the story at that very point in time and it should be outlined
right in the beginning.
3. Lastly, but most importantly, the pitch should be your story in
a nutshell. Ideally it should be no bigger than a paragraph. But that
paragraph should be able to engage the editor as much as the story
would later engage the readers.
12. Q: Is follow-up on a news pitch important?
A: Yes, it is very, very important.
The editors receive many mails in a day and sometimes they put away
mails thinking of getting back to you later and often they will tend to
forget.
As a freelancer, it is very important that one should gently remind the
editor after a week or so about the idea. If it's a pitch with a longer shelf
life then you can query again after 2-3 weeks. But follow-up is must.
The challenge is to find a balance where you do follow-up but without it
looking like you are harassing the editor. So, space it out, keep it casual and
friendly and restrict it to a line or two.
13. Q: What were some obstacles you've had to
overcome with editors?
A: Some editors are nice, some are not, some are cranky, and some are
plain nasty. But editors are clients and as they say “the client is always right
.”:)
I have had to overcome too much enthusiasm from certain editors who
have been overexcited about stories and then gone incommunicado when
it came to execution of the story ideas. I think for me that was the biggest
obstacle when editors went incommunicado. But I never really gave up and
would e-mail them gentle reminders from time to time till they got back to
me.
The other problem I encountered was that some editors were
approachable only till the story was happening and when it came to the
payment part they worked really slowly. They always blame it on
accounts, but I think it is an editor's responsibility to see that his/her
freelancer got paid on time.
14. Q: What was the greatest lesson you've learned
about pitching a news story?
A: That it cannot be hurried. You have to invest time to come up with a
good pitch. You cannot just throw together a few lines.
Q: Do you have any other advice for the students?
A: Persistence, discipline and diligence are the key words to being a
freelancer. Also, get a website for yourself - it always helps. It tells the
editors much more about you as a person than a black and white CV.
Good luck!
