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Pitch Your Idea When it comes to freelance journalism, one of the most important aspects to finding work is creating a pitch. For this lab, we will create an email pitch for a story idea to a local newspaper or magazine. This idea can be real or made up, but it must include all of the components of a pitch.Spend some time researching and developing a story idea that you believe would be relevant to your local newspaper or magazine. Select a story idea that would be something you would consider pitching to the newspaper or magazine.Using a word processing program, create your email pitch. Be sure to include:A subject line for the emailA brief description of your story ideaA short statement about your experience (if you don’t have any journalism experience, you can create a fictitious background)Reference to an online portfolio or attached files of sample work (this can also be fictitious)Reference to a deadline Call to action Contact information Your email pitch should use proper grammar and contain no spelling errors.

5 answers

Subject: Pitch: Exploring Local Heroes of Our Community

Dear [Editor's Name],

I hope this message finds you well! I'm [Your Name], a freelance journalist with a passion for telling stories that matter. I’m reaching out to propose an engaging piece for [Newspaper/Magazine Name] that highlights the incredible work of local volunteers who have significantly impacted our community during these challenging times.

Story Idea: The proposed article, titled "Local Heroes: Unsung Volunteers Making a Difference," would feature interviews with individuals who dedicate their time to various charitable organizations and initiatives in our area. From food banks to tutoring programs, these volunteers often go unnoticed, yet their contributions foster resilience and kindness across our community. The piece would not only share their personal stories but also encourage others to get involved, capturing our community's spirit of giving.

Experience: I have written for several local outlets, including [List of Publications or Relevant Experience], where I’ve focused on community stories and human interest pieces. My work has been recognized for its compelling narrative style and ability to resonate with local readers.

Portfolio: You can view my portfolio and recent articles at [Your Portfolio Link], which include profiles on community initiatives and features on local leaders.

Deadline: I aim to submit this piece by [Insert Deadline], ahead of any upcoming community events, ensuring it receives timely publication.

I believe this story can inspire and connect with your readers, and I would love to discuss this idea further. Thank you for considering my pitch, and I look forward to your feedback!

Best regards,

[Your Name]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Your Social Media Handles (if applicable)]

can you make it simpler as if a 9th grader would do it

Subject: Story Idea: Local Heroes in Our Community

Hi [Editor's Name],

I hope you're doing well! My name is [Your Name], and I'm a freelance writer. I have an idea for a story that I think would be great for [Newspaper/Magazine Name].

Story Idea: I want to write an article called "Local Heroes: Volunteers Making a Difference." This piece would shine a light on people in our town who volunteer their time to help others, like working at food banks, mentoring kids, or organizing community clean-ups. I think it’s important to show how these amazing individuals contribute to our community and inspire others to get involved, too.

Experience: I’ve written for a few school projects and have some experience with articles about community events and people doing good things.

Portfolio: You can check out some of my writing at [Your Portfolio Link] to see my style and past work.

Deadline: I would like to have the article ready by [Insert Deadline], especially before any local events are happening.

I believe this story would really connect with your readers, and I’d love to hear what you think. Thank you for considering my idea!

Best,
[Your Name]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]

can you give me the editor name?

Certainly! Since you didn't specify a particular newspaper or magazine, I'll provide a generic name. You can replace it with the actual editor's name when you have that information. Here's the revised pitch with an editor's name included:

Subject: Story Idea: Local Heroes in Our Community

Hi Editor Thompson,

I hope you're doing well! My name is [Your Name], and I'm a freelance writer. I have an idea for a story that I think would be great for [Newspaper/Magazine Name].

Story Idea: I want to write an article called "Local Heroes: Volunteers Making a Difference." This piece would shine a light on people in our town who volunteer their time to help others, like working at food banks, mentoring kids, or organizing community clean-ups. I think it’s important to show how these amazing individuals contribute to our community and inspire others to get involved, too.

Experience: I’ve written for a few school projects and have some experience with articles about community events and people doing good things.

Portfolio: You can check out some of my writing at [Your Portfolio Link] to see my style and past work.

Deadline: I would like to have the article ready by [Insert Deadline], especially before any local events are happening.

I believe this story would really connect with your readers, and I’d love to hear what you think. Thank you for considering my idea!

Best,
[Your Name]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]

Feel free to customize the name of the editor as needed!