10. Pitching Ideas

Unlike other forms of copywriting, where there usually has to be a ready need and budget for you to get a job, it is possible to sell a significant amount of work to editors simply by pitching speculative ideas. The process for doing this is relatively straightforward. Pick a publication, pick a subject, do some research on it, and contact the editor with your proposal for a story. It can be a good idea to phone up the editorial department in the first place, although an editor will almost always ask to see a synopsis by letter, fax or email.

Your synopsis should be a short summary of the story you intend to write (usually not more than about 100 to 150 words), mentioning the sources you have approached or are hoping to approach for information. Also include notes on photography (if there is any), a line or two on your credentials as a writer, contact details and possibly a specimen introduction.