We’ve all sent a pitch that had some version of one of these:
“I’d like to write about this topic/trend/idea …”
“I see on Twitter a lot …”
“I feel like this topic is interesting …”
Pause! This is such an easy trap to fall into. But when you’re making unspecific, open-ended statements and using huge generalities in a pitch, you’re not pitching a story; you’re pitching an idea. And editors buy stories.
This may sound like a difference in semantics, but I promise you it’s not.
So. What is the difference?
An idea is abstract, while stories are concrete.
It really is that simple. And once you master that difference, you’ll never pitch an idea again.
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