In a previous post, we discussed the importance of including the appropriate amount of information to make your idea stand out when pitching to editors.
We invest a lot of time and energy in researching, planning, and crafting a pitch, and the last thing we want is for our idea to be turned down. However, the reality is that, as health writers, we will face rejection, not just once, but many times. The good news is that pitch rejection does not always imply that our idea was bad or that we made a mistake. Sometimes, the timing might not be right even if we have extensively researched a topic and carefully considered the focus and requirements of a publication.
But don’t worry. Even if your pitch gets rejected at first, it can still lead to making some important connections.
I recently submitted a pitch to a magazine editor. I spent so much time researching the topic and developing my story idea, making sure it aligned with the publication’s style, tone, and readership. However, the editor rejected my idea, explaining that they weren’t currently interested in that particular topic. She added she’d be open to revisiting my idea in early 2025! I was a little disappointed, but I also sensed that my work and idea had been acknowledged.
I thanked the editor for being willing to reconsider my idea and told her I’d be in touch about the topic in 2025. She replied to my message saying she’s open to other pitches!
Regardless of whether your pitch gets accepted or rejected, always take the time to thank the editor for the time they took to consider your proposal. A polite thank you note could spark a conversation that may lead to future assignments or discussing other ideas.
So, what’s next for me in terms of pitching to this magazine? Generating ideas consistently can be quite challenging when cold pitching is part of your job, so I’ll turn to generative AI for help with brainstorming.
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