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Topic: Follow-Up -- Too Pushy?
| Author | Message |
| write2rachel | Posted – 4/1/2008 12:11:17 AM | show profile I pitched a piece to a magazine over a month ago. I followed up a few weeks later and got a response that she would "let me know within the week." It wasn't a no! After no response, I followed up again. This time, I was greeted with a slew of questions about the article. They seem interested, right? Shortly after, I got another response with "I'll be back to you if I need anything else." What exactly does that mean? Should I sit tight? How long should I wait until I follow up again? I feel like a loser for asking this question... I don't want to blow it, but also, I think the piece is a bit timely. If they don't want it, I'd like to pitch it to someone else. Any feedback is appreciated. |
| TheSecondShift | Posted – 4/1/2008 10:41:26 AM | show profile How long has it been since her "I'll get back to you?" One week? Two? When is this story slated for, the summer? the fall? If the story is timely and your window is fast closing, you must contact the editor and say so. To be fair, she may have to go through channels to get the story approved and that may take some time. I don't think there's any harm in finding out if that's the case. You then have to decide if you're willing to take the chance and wait it out. I went through a similar sitch with a new mag and waited it out. Bad move on my part--they ended up declining and I lost my window to repitch out. I'm less inclined to take the risk again for a new client, but I might for someone I've worked with before. |
| write2rachel | Posted – 4/1/2008 11:25:42 AM | show profile Yeah... it's a new client and I do want to work with them. I just think that's a weird response. Even a "let me think about it" would have been more appropriate. It's been a little over a week. I guess I need to craft another follow-up that doesn't sound too pushy. Thanks! |
| snappiness | Posted – 4/8/2008 9:34:39 AM | show profile Probably the editor is pitching internally at a story meeting. Sometimes those things can drag on because there might be some interest but not a total green light, and the editor gets caught up in other things. I'd check back in a week or so, especially if your topic is timely, and ask what the feedback is on the idea. If you want to pitch it elsewhere I'd be up front about that. I recently had a timely story that I was shopping around and when editors were delaying (no fault of their own, they just needed approval or wanted to wait and pitch it at a story meeting) I said, "since it's timely, I feel like I need to get it placed pretty soon, when do you think you'll know?" That pushed them a bit. |
| write2rachel | Posted – 4/8/2008 2:23:57 PM | show profile Hey thanks for the feedback. I did follow up... and then did AGAIN. The last time, I mentioned that I wanted to be able to pitch it elsewhere, and that got me a response. I don't think I was snippy or snotty, but I just felt that way. It got me a response though, and she said it was on the agenda for an internal meeting this week. Wish me luck! |
| write2rachel | Posted – 4/8/2008 2:26:57 PM | show profile Hey thanks for the feedback. I did follow up... and then did AGAIN. The last time, I mentioned that I wanted to be able to pitch it elsewhere, and that got me a response. I don't think I was snippy or snotty, but I just felt that way. It got me a response though, and she said it was on the agenda for an internal meeting this week. Wish me luck! |
| write2rachel | Posted – 4/8/2008 2:33:36 PM | show profile RATS! Sorry for the double post. MediaBistro is trying to fool me today... |
| snappiness | Posted – 4/8/2008 3:10:22 PM | show profile Good luck! I have found that if you are honest and direct, without playing any kind of manipulation games, that goes far with editors. Well, I guess it goes far with pretty much anyone. |
| ISR | Posted – 4/9/2008 9:25:02 AM | show profile This has happened to me so many times. After a few months, I give up. (Then again, an editor just contacted me, months later, after a batting back and forth for months.) But it's better mentally to let it go. |
| InsomniacNOT | Posted – 4/9/2008 11:22:38 AM | show profile This is why I advocate multiple simulataneous submissions. The chances of two editors going for the same story are small. And in the rare event that it does happen, it just makes you look in demand and paves the way for future queries. Writers have to make their own wchedules and not be controlled by one editor's staff meetings. |
