What editors *really* mean when they reject your pitch
Plus: More than 100 new rate submissions for what publications are paying freelancers
Hello friends! I hope your week has been off to a lovely start, and more importantly, that you’re finding space this summer to take some time for yourself. As freelancers and independent journalists we don’t have the luxury of PTO, but resting up is still crucial to our well-being. So take a break!
This week we’re going to talk a little more about rejection, something we cover regularly in FWT. The reason I want to come back to it today is that a while back I got an email from a reader that I thought really spoke to a lot of aspects of rejection, particularly what it actually means.
An anonymous reader wrote,
I got a cordial rejection from NYT, and it got me thinking — what’s in a no? What does a non-response mean, what does a thoughtful response mean, and can you pitch another editor at the same publication? How long before you can pitch the same editor another idea? And do you respond to the rejection or spare their inbox?
Sigh, yes, those rejections are, of course, just a part of the freelance life. Some are pleasant (as much as they can be, at least), some less so. But they all kind of sting on some level.
But as this reader is getting at, rejections are very rarely the end of the conversation, and are very much not the end of your idea or pitch. A bad pitch is not the same thing as a bad story idea, and always remember that a no from one editor is not a blanket no that means you need to give up on the idea.
So let’s tackle the individual questions this reader is asking about.
What does a non-response mean?
Tbh, not a whole lot. Don’t read into it! Editors get dozens of pitches per week, and editors at big publications may get hundreds. When I commissioned stories at NYT, it wasn’t uncommon to receive hundreds of pitches per day. If editors responded to every single pitch they got, that would be their entire job. In a perfect world, they’d have the time to, but they just don’t. If you’ve sent a few follow-ups (no more than two!) and you still haven’t heard anything back, assume it’s a pass. Things do slip through the cracks, but if the editor really wants it they’ll get in touch. But again, a no from one editor isn’t a no to the idea.
Want to learn the nuts and bolts of writing the perfect pitch? Join me on August 14 at 4:30 p.m Eastern for a 90-minute workshop on writing pitches editors will actually want to read — and commission. This will be an in-depth examination of what goes into a great pitch: How do you structure it? What must be in it, and what should you leave out? How much pre-reporting should you do? How do you even find editors to pitch or know which publication to shoot for? We'll cover all that and much, much more. Click here to register. (All registrants will receive a playback of the full session, and paid subscribers get 50% off all events.)
How to use social media to find work: Join me and freelance extraordinaire Kaitlyn Arford on August 21 at 4:30 p.m. EST for a workshop on using social media to find work as a freelancer and how it can help you build a sustainable — and profitable! — business. Click here to register. (All registrants will receive a playback of the full session, and paid subscribers get 50% off all events.)
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What does a thoughtful response mean?
Generally, if the editor takes the time to individually respond with a rejection, it probably means you’ve got the enthusiastic go-ahead to continue pitching them (doubly so if they give you specific feedback or give you a reason they turned it down that had nothing to do with the idea). If you’re lucky enough to get more than a generic, “Thanks, but it’s not the right fit” type of response, keep sending along ideas.
Can you pitch another editor at the same publication?
This one is tricky. I generally advise against pitching the rejected idea to an editor in the same section — it may be likely that your idea was discussed at an editorial pitch meeting or something like that — so it’s best to avoid. That said, if there’s a completely unrelated section of the outlet that it might fit in, that may be worth considering. If you go that route, try to modify the pitch to best fit the new section you’re pitching. As for whether you should mention that you pitched it elsewhere in the newsroom ... I dunno. I know editors who would be offended by the very idea of repurposing a pitch for a different section, but I also know editors who would just be happy you might be able to land it elsewhere in the organization. So feel it out and use your best judgment. (Sorry, I know that’s squishy, but this one really depends on the situation and the personalities involved.)
How long before you can pitch the same editor another idea?
This all depends on your relationship with the editor, but also the editor’s preferences. If this is an editor you work with somewhat regularly, give it a week or two then have at it. On the other hand, if this is an editor you constantly work with — say, at least one or two commissions or more per month — you’re probably safe to send more pitches whenever. And really, that’s the goal place you want to be at with an editor. My regular freelancers at NYT would pitch me multiple times per week (sometimes even just over text for my super-regulars), so the stronger your working relationship with an editor is, the more free you should feel in pitching them. But also remember the golden rule: Don’t be an asshole. That’s really it!
Do you respond to the rejection or spare their inbox?
If they offer thoughtful and specific feedback, a little acknowledgement doesn’t hurt at all (and may help foster an ongoing working relationship). But if it’s a boilerplate “not the right fit” type of rejection, you can probably skip the reply.
Now get out there and keep pitching those stories you believe in, no matter what an editor says. Have a wonderful week!
P.S. — Thanks to everyone for contributing to the FWT database of freelance rates for nearly 450 publications. I just updated it this week to include 100+ new rate submissions, and I’ll be updating it regularly, so please feel free to keep sharing some of your own recent rates here.
Oh, a few other things …
• For all of August, FWT is doing a monthlong theme about getting into freelancing and what it’s really like. Got an idea for a potential post? Email me pitches at tim@freelancingwithtim.com. Rate is a flat fee of $100 per post.
• I offer one-on-one coaching! Need help developing an idea or sharpening one you already have? Want a seasoned eye on a pitch you’re kicking around? Interested in talking about careers and building your freelance business? Maybe just want an edit on a story draft? I’ve got you covered! Click here to book a one-on-one coaching session to talk about pitch reviews, story development, editing, careers, and anything else you might need help with.
• Got a question about freelancing or the wider world of journalism? Let’s hear it, and I may feature it in a future Q&A post! Drop your questions, comments, and thoughts about freelancing and journalism in general in a comment below, or email me at tim@freelancingwithtim.com.