As I tried to explain last week, pitches must be smart and cater to the needs of the editor and their publication first and foremost. Again, in my researching markets, I came across a guidelines page with great advice. Climate Change News posts detailed and informative guidelines at https://www.climatechangenews.com/write-for-us.

In your pitch, explain:

What is new? Whether your story is based around a single event, ongoing process or trend, explain why *now* is the time to read about it.

Why does it matter to an international audience?

Who are the main actors? To catch a reader’s attention, there should be colourful characters and/or tension between different interest groups.

What sources would you use? Make the most of any hard-to-reach contacts, leaked documents, original analysis and on-the-ground reporting.

What is your background? If you have not written for us before, include a short bio and links to two or three stories you have had published.

Where is the action? For certain reporting programmes, we can cover reasonable travel expenses, by prior agreement.

Is there a visual or audio component? While our reporting is text-based, good photos can elevate a story and we are open to multimedia ideas.

The guidelines go into greater detail about rates, themes, the dos and don’ts. . . just the type of guidelines one loves to find when seeking markets.

FundsforWriters posts a very detailed guidelines page for probably the same reasons.

1) To avoid the back and forth banter with prospective writers. There just isn’t time.

2) To weed out those writers who don’t have the knowledge or experience.

3) To make selection easier (i.e., to save time).

As to that last one, when someone neglects to follow the guidelines, it’s easier to reject. It saves the time of reading the actual submission. That sounds shallow, but when faced with a pile of submissions, there has to be a time-saving way to cull.

Be that writer who follows every word of the guidelines, and you might be amazed at how quickly an editor gets in touch. At least they’ll read your submission.