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Pitch Letter Essentials

Learn how to craft a knockout query letter

Course is closed.
Pitch Letter Essentials

WHEN Wednesday, June 18, 7-10 pm

WHERE BCA, Stanford Calderwood Pavilion, 527 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02116

DIRECTIONS Click here

PRICE
$65 ($50 for )
more info

Course Details

For a freelance writer, pitches are everything. They're your personal introduction, writing sample, and article outline all in one. They're how you break into a magazine and how you keep the assignments coming in once you do. Write a compelling query and you're on your way to an assignment, or at least an ongoing relationship with the editor; write a lousy one and you'll disappear into the slush pile.

Whether you're pitching a celebrity profile or a travel feature, there are some key techniques and strategies you need to know to come up with a killer query. This seminar will walk you through the most important ones, from researching your target publication to structuring the pitch to selling yourself as the perfect writer for the job.

In this seminar, you will learn:

  • How to surprise editors with fresh ideas
  • Techniques to come up with salable story ideas
  • How to tailor your query letter to the publication you're pitching
  • What editors look for in a query and what turns them off
  • What makes an effective -- and not-so effective -- query letter
  • Online query letters vs. print query
  • How to package yourself as the ideal writer for your idea
  • How to turn a query into an ongoing editor-writer relationship

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Instructor Bio

Sam Baltrusis's Courses

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Sam Baltrusis
Sam Baltrusis has worked for WHDH-TV, CW56, MTV, VH1, Seventeen, Newsweek, and as a regional stringer for The New York Times. He's currently a full-time freelance editor and writer based in Boston, where he's a field coordinator for Povo.com and a web producer for ConsumerUnited.com. Sam also contributes to Boston Spirit and Contentinople, a B2B website focusing on online content technology.

Testimonials


Sam was excellent and had a broad range of experience to draw from that included new media. I especially appreciated his individualized suggestions and followup. -- Kimberly Davis

"This was the perfect course and Sam had all the answers I needed to put together my letters. This course is highly recommended!" -- Colleen Perry

"Sam was terrific, knowledgeable, supportive, and interesting. Thanks to his direct and humorous approach, experience, and knowledge, Sam offered much more than information. He offered camaraderie and support for freelancers, new and experienced." -- Kate Daly

"Sam was just terrific. He was fun, relaxed, and had tons of experience. We covered lots of territory. A very successful evening." -- Miriam Weinstein

"I attended the class to help demystify what happens on the other end of a query submission. The class answered all my questions and even opened up a new channel of freelance opportunities." -- Wendy Booher

"Sam was very personable and engaging. He clearly has enthusiasm for the material and an impressive resume. He's very willing to help students gain their footing both in and out of class." -- Kate Coughlin

"Sam totally rocked. Rather than stepping us through the written handout, he allowed the students to shape the course so we came away with information that was catered to our own needs." -- Dawn Oates

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