Tired of brainstorming new ideas and pitching to publications only to hear crickets? Ever wondered why these editors ignore our ideas?

Editors are intensely busy people. Their inboxes stay packed with pitches from writers like us. That’s why they select only the cream of the crop and neglect pitches that show the following bad traits.

Boring Subject Lines

The first words an editor reads. If irrelevant or dull, your pitch ends up in the trash. Keep the subject line short and to-the-point like: Request for Guest Post Submission or Freelance Writer’s Query

No Name for the Editor

Never address the editors as Dear Editor or even worse To Whom it May Concern. Instead,  use their first names, or Mr. or Ms. last name.

No Evidence of Research

Almost every publication accepting guest posts provides guidelines for submissions just like Hope has hers here. Study them carefully and know exactly what the editors seek. Editors can tell when you have or have not read the guidelines.

Unattractive Headlines

You might have crafted a brilliant manuscript. but your headline failed to grab the editor’s attention. Consider reading these 9 Proven Headline Formulas by Dean Rieck to craft juicy headlines.

Too Much Self Talk

Never brag too much about yourself or your achievements. A short, pithy, succinct bio is enough to introduce yourself to the editors. Notice how slick Dean Rieck’s bio is at the bottom of his article in the link above.

Little Value

Before pitching, think why the editors would publish your work as presented. Is the topic something that their audience seeks? Does the piece cover an interview with a successful person of interest? Does the subject address something never written about in the past, ever? Whatever value it adds, let the editors know. Convince them it is THE article they seek.

Idea Too Generalized

Thinking of guest posting on ‘Tips on Parenting’ for a well-known parenting magazine? Think again! The magazine will already be flooded with tons of tips on parenting. Narrow your generalized idea to something like ‘How to Wean Your Child in Three Easy Steps’ for the editor to bother reading.

Too Long

Editors do not have excess time in their day. Keep pitches short and snappy. Less is more. No more than a page, and less than 500 words if possible.

Mistakes

Think you can win a gig by creating a pitch full of typos and mistakes? If an editor spots too many grammar or spelling mistakes (as they possess an eagle’s eyes), expect never to hear back from them.

Poor Timing

Submission guidelines pages often designate time periods of pitch acceptance. Check them out before sending in your pitch to avoid disappointment.

My Experience

While I wasn’t doing everything wrong, I made several query mistakes in my past. My headlines weren’t sharp, and my ideas not unique. I fixed those mistakes, specified my niche and short-listed some editors that I liked to work with.

The Results

Since the end of 2018, I have pitched to Hope five times and have been accepted twice. This piece might be my third one (fingers crossed), but even if it’s not, I understand that rejection is part and parcel of the process. The idea is to keep trying, learning, and never giving up.

Bio: Tasneem M Ali is a ghostwriter, copywriter, blogger, writing coach and author of the series a children’s story “No Dream is Too Big.” She is also a small writing business owner at Ghostwriters’ World – https://www.facebook.com/ghostwritersworld/ . When not writing, she likes to spend time with her family.