Last updated: January 2026
In this article: Mastering the Pitch | Writing & Editing Best Practices | Professional Communication | Frequently Asked Questions
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If you’ve ever been scolded for turning in a story late, not sticking to the angle, or filing a column with 500 words more than assigned, you know firsthand that it hurts when you disappoint your editor.
As you grow in your writing career, taking note of your mistakes may bruise your ego, but it’s essential to learn from your freelancing faux pas if you want to be a writer that editors know they can rely on. From nailing pitches to turning in killer content, there are certain things you can do to impress your editor and stand out among other contributors.
A handful of editors from various publications across the country share their pro-tips on how you can avoid common slip-ups and be a stellar freelancer that editors know they can depend on time and again. Here’s how you can move from bench-warmer to MVP status.
Mastering the Pitch: What Editors Really Want
Because of the current climate of the media industry, editors are relying on freelancers more than ever. They are looking to hire writers who are in the know and can pitch great stories.
“One of the most valuable assets of a freelancer is creativity,” says Stephanie Breijo, Restaurants & Bars Editor at Time Out Los Angeles. “I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve received ‘got any stories for me?’ without any ideas for content attached. It makes the editor’s job so much easier if writers are actively pitching relevant content and not just lining up to be told what to do.”
Pro Tip: While it’s okay to reach out to request an editorial calendar and ask what kind of content editors are looking for, asking for assignments without offering ideas comes across as lazy, even if you have a well-established relationship.
“I like when writers ask what type of content we are looking for, then craft pitches accordingly,” says Stephanie Cain, Real Weddings Editor at The Knot. “All editors have gaps in the content they want showcased on their sites and in their magazines, so it makes for better collaboration.”
Elements of a Winning Pitch
If you want to get on an editor’s radar, craft story pitches that are well-researched, relevant and insightful. Nothing annoys editors more than broad topic story pitches without a defined angle.
“Come with more than an idea. If it’s an essay, you should have a thesis or an angle, not just a topic that you’re interested in ‘exploring,'” says Ruth Spencer, senior editor of New York Magazine’s The Cut. “If it’s a reported piece, tell me the question you’re interested in answering and who you’re going to talk to to do so.”
When pitching, make sure all your ducks are in a row, and be prepared to answer any follow-up questions your editor may have. Include statistics and research to back up your idea.
“My favorite writers have done some legwork/due diligence on the pitch before they pitch it,” says Maximillian Potter, Editor at Large for Esquire, who writes stories for the magazine and also assigns and edits pieces that freelancers pitch him.
“They know they already have the cooperation of X, Y ,or Z. They knew what would be the best timing for the piece and why,” adds Potter. “My favorite writers think this way. They anticipate me reading their query and basic questions I’ll have, and they have them answered before I ask them.”
Pitch Writing Best Practices
If you are pitching an aesthetically driven story, go the extra mile and create a mood board of images to give your editor an idea of how the story will play out visually.
The style and tone in which you write your pitch is crucial to receiving the assignment. While your story proposal should be pithy and straightforward, it shouldn’t lack in personality.
“Don’t make a first-person story sound like a sales pitch,” adds Cain. Charm your editors with your brevity, intelligence, and written charisma.
“Write the pitch like you’d write the piece! Give me a sense of your style, tone, wit,and humor. Don’t be lazy,” says Spencer. “I read pitches closely, and I often assign based on whether or not I like the way it’s written.”
Writing & Editing Best Practices
Before you sit down to write your story, request the publication’s style guide. Are they old-school and embrace the Oxford comma? Do they use first names instead of last names for attributions? Do they live and die by The Chicago Manual of Style?
Also, pick up a copy of the publication to scope out story formatting. When you turn in your story, you don’t want your editor to get hung up on silly formatting and style issues.
Clean Copy is Non-Negotiable
“This is so simple that it shocks me it still happens regularly,” says Cain. “Check your spelling.” Make sure your copy is clean, void of grammatical errors and misspellings. You want your editor to focus on the overall content of your story.
Being able to self-edit is a skill that takes years of fine-tuning, but goes a long way with editors. While it may pain you to cut paragraphs from your story, know that it will irritate your editor even more if you don’t.
Critical Rule: “Stick to the agreed-upon word count!” advises Spencer. “If I open your piece and find that you’ve gone way over, that just means I’ve got a lot more work to do than I originally allotted for the piece. And that’s frustrating.”
Supporting Materials Matter
When you turn in your story, make sure your editor has all the appropriate materials they need to successfully and thoroughly edit your piece.
“Send us your backup material and contacts for fact-checking. It’s a huge help!” says Cain. “For instance, if you have recorded an interview, email the audio file. If you worked with a PR rep, send us their phone number.”
While most publications don’t require images, it helps editors when you coordinate with businesses or travel bureaus that already have high-resolution images ready for publication.
Embracing the Editorial Process
Great editors break down your writing, ask hard questions, and make you write several drafts. When your editor returns your first draft with red marks, be polite and professional. Editing is a conversation—a back-and-forth about your story, tweaking it until it’s perfect for readers.
“My favorite writers are confident but not cocky,” says Potter. “They recognize that a first draft is exactly that, a first draft. My favorite writers know that we will almost certainly do a second, third, and perhaps a fourth draft.”
Professional Communication That Builds Relationships
Good communication is crucial to maintaining a successful working relationship with editors. Since you’re working remotely, every interaction counts.
Email Etiquette Essentials
When first reaching out with your pitch, be respectful of email etiquette. Follow up, but don’t be a nuisance. Make sure you are communicating with the appropriate person at the appropriate publication before firing off an email. Always copyedit your emails.
“Make sure your contact information is correct,” says Cain. “And note the correct magazine name in your pitch!”
Proactive Problem-Solving
Before you get started on your assignment, make sure you understand what your editor requests of the story. If you have any questions about the assignment, ask for clarification upfront.
If you are experiencing snags that may cause your story to be late or change the angle, let your editor know immediately. Don’t surprise your editor with last-minute changes.
Patience and Understanding
Remember that although it may seem like editors are ignoring you, they do appreciate you and are just extremely busy.
“My favorite writers are patient,” says Potter. “Good editors know it’s hard out there and you’re busting your ass. And my favorite writers know that we are doing our very best as editors to be decent collaborators and human beings. We try to get you feedback and communicate as responsively and as quickly as we can, but sometimes it takes a while.”
Ready to put these tips into practice? Check out current freelance writing opportunities and start building those editor relationships today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I wait before following up on a pitch?
Wait at least one week before following up on a pitch, unless the editor has specified a different timeline. Keep your follow-up brief and professional.
What’s the biggest mistake freelance writers make when pitching?
The biggest mistake is sending vague pitches without a clear angle or asking editors for story ideas instead of proposing specific, well-researched concepts.
How can I stand out from other freelance writers?
Focus on thorough research, meet deadlines consistently, stick to word counts, provide clean copy, and include all necessary supporting materials with your submissions.
Should I pitch multiple ideas at once?
It’s generally better to pitch one strong, well-developed idea per email rather than overwhelming editors with multiple concepts. Quality over quantity always wins.
How do I handle editorial feedback professionally?
Approach feedback as a collaborative conversation. Be confident in your work but open to suggestions. Remember that editors want to make your piece the best it can be for their audience.
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