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Topic: Pitching Via LinkedIn ... or Facebook
| Author | Message |
| writerly | Posted – 8/1/2008 2:39:32 PM | show profile Two thoughts: 1. It doesn't matter how comfortable you are on Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. It's all about the EDITOR's comfort level. Do what THEY want, not what you want if you want the job. Maybe in 5, 10 years this will be acceptable to the next generation of editors. It's not acceptable to editors now. 2. Facebook etc. are networking tools. Think of them as you would a conference or a party-- would you pitch there? Most likely, no. But you would use that opportunity to get to know an editor, hand them your card, find some common ground, make friends, tell them about your latest project. That's what Facebook/Linked In are good for too. In short, keep pitching by e-mail. |
| designtime | Posted – 8/1/2008 3:05:41 PM | show profile What if the person is not someone you know, but someone who who admire and would like to learn from and talk to further. Someone who left a position recently that you don't think has a new job just yet -- and you've checked to make sure. Could you facebook that person to say want to say hello, I admire your work, I'd like to pick your brain about a few things. How can I contact you to talk to you further? Is that weird? |
| snappiness | Posted – 8/1/2008 4:14:44 PM | show profile Yeah, that's weird unless you're offering them a job. Plus I always hated that phrase "pick your brain." I don't want my brain picked. I spent a long time getting all that info crammed in there, why would I want to try to condense it into an hour's lecture for someone else I don't even know? What has worked for me is flattery, and lots of it. I get calls periodically from newer writers who say something like, "I have admired your work for a long time, I really liked X piece and that other one for ABC Magazine. I'm trying to get started in this field/pitch ABC magazine myself/learn more about freelancing and I wondered, could I buy you lunch and ask some questions?" I'm a sucker for a free lunch. We always go to my favorite French restaurant. But I've also had the call from someone just eager to "pick my brain" and it always seems that I'm just too busy to get together for that. |
| intraining | Posted – 8/2/2008 12:41:46 AM | show profile snappiness, why does someone have to stroke your ego to get "in"? I hope I never come across such editors. I'm not kissing your butt just so you can throw me a bone. Buy you lunch?! You can't be serious. |
| intraining | Posted – 8/2/2008 12:43:36 AM | show profile BTW designtime, I encourage you NOT to follow snappiness's advice. Believe me, there are editors who are more than willing to help WITHOUT you having to buy their time. |
| snappiness | Posted – 8/2/2008 7:31:08 AM | show profile Get real. I'm busy. You need to make it worth my while to pull me away from making money. That's basic good manners in any career field -- the person asking the big favor extends a courtesy in return. For me, the courtesy that gets my attention is lunch. And I'm not an editor, I'm a writer. Oh, wait, as of last week I'm also a book editor. |
| intraining | Posted – 8/2/2008 11:46:34 AM | show profile Yes, because everyone else is just sitting around waiting for things to happen to them. *eyeroll* YOU get real and eat some humble pie while you're at it. If a Senior VP of a major corporation can take a few minutes out of his day to give me advice, unless you're god, I'm sure you could find the time to do the same. You simply don't want to because you're delusional and think you're more important than you really are. I hope you develop a better attitude because you won't get very far with the one you have. --Get real. I'm busy. |
| InformedIdeas | Posted – 8/2/2008 11:53:18 AM | show profile Pitching via LinkedIN I think of pitching by LinkedIN of today's version of pitching by phone. It wouldn't be my choice for an initial contact, however, if I had a relationship with the editor or had previously worked for the publication/media outlet, I would consider it. Also, if I had discussed an idea with someone in my network who said "that would be perfect for Outlet X" and they were connected to the editor they thought would be interested and were willing to introduce me, I might consider that (I would have to be convinced they actually had some kind of relationship with the editor not just a LION connected to everybody). I do use LinkedIN to find and contact experts. That's what the "Interested in expertise requests" option in the Contact Settings is for. I probably wouldn't contact someone who had not selected this option unless I had a personal connection with them or knew someone who did, just out of respect for their wishes. One last thing, if you don't know someone's work email try checking the masthead for a phone number (not for subscription or advertising inquiries) and call it. Chances are you'll reach a receptionist/switchboard. Tell them you want to submit a query to Editor Y and ask what the best way to contact that editor is. Chances are, they will give you an email address. If they give you a snail mail address or a web address for a submittal form, respect that, it is probably the process they use and deviating from it is a good way to make a bad first impression. Good Luck! |
| snappiness | Posted – 8/2/2008 12:23:00 PM | show profile Yeah, I guess you're right. I've only written four books and had cover stories in half a dozen national magazines. I wish I could really go somewhere in this field but my attitude of not taking enough time out to help newbies is holding me back! Guess this means you won't be buying me lunch, then? ;) |
| intraining | Posted – 8/2/2008 7:04:52 PM | show profile Gee, how'd you know? --Guess this means you won't be buying me lunch, then? ;)-- |
