Ask MB: What Makes a Good Magazine Story Pitch?

Check these 12 tips before starting your story

Celeste Mitchell is an editorial writer and editor with nearly 30 years of experience creating consumer lifestyle content for publications including Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, and SELF. She previously served as Deputy Editor at Cosmopolitan and taught journalism courses through Mediabistro.

3 min read • Originally published December 21, 2015 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Celeste Mitchell

Celeste Mitchell is an editorial writer and editor with nearly 30 years of experience creating consumer lifestyle content for publications including Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, and SELF. She previously served as Deputy Editor at Cosmopolitan and taught journalism courses through Mediabistro.

3 min read • Originally published December 21, 2015 / Updated March 19, 2026

Regardless of how many years you’ve been in the magazine biz, there is one thing that never seems to change: Whenever you pitch a story idea, it’s impossible to predict whether an editor will jump at your idea or pass on it.

And, sadly, all writers are in the same boat; veteran writers are often no better at hedging their bets than fledgling reporters who are sending pitches for the first time.

Part of what contributes to the mystery, of course, has little to do with us. Timing plays a major role. An editor will often turn down a perfect story idea because a similar piece is waiting in inventory to be scheduled for an upcoming issue. Or it could be that the magazine recently published an article on your topic and is therefore unable to cover it again until years pass—if ever. These variables are beyond any writer’s control.

But there is something you can—and must do—to improve your chances for success: Make sure you deliver a solid story idea.

It may sound simple, but it is often hard to tell the difference between an idea that rocks and one that flops. And what’s a good idea? To find out, we turned to a friend of Mediabistro, an accomplished magazine editor who’d just as soon remain nameless, to reveal the must-have ingredients for a quality piece of journalism. If you can nail even a few of these essential elements, and you still get a rejection letter, then it’s your editor’s loss!

According to our friend, a great magazine story:

1. Is about someone appealing or intriguing or remarkable or abominable, someone to whom aggressive adjectives can be applied or someone caught up in circumstances that fit these adjectives.

2. Relies on tension, conflict and drama to move the story along at a steady pace, without bizarre detours which may in themselves be interesting but which do not contribute to an uninterrupted narration of the story.

3. Has a beginning, middle and end—in that order, preferably.

4. Tells you something new and unexpected, or takes a totally fresh new look at something familiar.

5. Has compelling anecdotes that illustrate specific points, but do so with some subtlety so the reader will not feel beaten upside the head.

6. Includes carefully chosen quotes that reveal the subject’s personality and perspective, quotes that might be cleaned up for grammar and clarity but never to change meaning or intent.

7. Leaves no unanswered questions and never strays off course with tangential musings from the writer and irrelevant anecdotes or quotes.

8. Is easy to follow and doesn’t confuse the reader, meaning that flashbacks and flash forwards should be employed with caution.

9. Evokes an honest emotional response, not a manipulated one—so resist the temptation to twist your story a tad to make sure readers get your message.

10. Has a resolution—a triumphant one is preferred, but if it’s a downer both prepare the reader for it as you go along and make sure you personally can live with that kind of ending.

11. Wraps with a kicker that clings to the reader’s memory, whether clever or noble or heartrending or even funny.

12. Is factually correct, not only for your sake as a writer of integrity but also for the sake of our profession at large which has had more than enough reportorial fiction in 2003.

Topics:

Climb the Ladder, Skills & Expertise

Advice From the Pros

4 Tips for Landing an Ad Agency Gig Using Snapchat

A recruiter dishes on dos and don'ts

By Lauren Johnson

2 min read • Originally published December 21, 2015 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Lauren Johnson

2 min read • Originally published December 21, 2015 / Updated March 19, 2026

Snapchat video views have tripled since May and now total 6 billion every day, according to a Financial Times story. The report only solidifies the notion that the messaging app is the hottest thing going on among marketers.

So if you want to land an ad agency gig, the language of “snaps” is really good to know at this juncture in digital-media history. What better way of communicating your Snapchat expertise to your prospective employer than via the mobile app itself?

We chatted with Alan Cutter, CEO of recruitment firm AC Lion, whose clients include WPP and Horizon Media. Cutter had some useful advice on how to make every post count:

1. There is no chance for a second impression. “This isn’t iMovie or a text resume that you can edit, perfecting each shot or word,” says Cutter. “Have a well-thought-out blueprint.”

2. Keep it visual. Make a Snapchat Story by taking pictures of the work you’re most proud of, to show employers what you can do. “If you have a project you worked on, a deck or a clip, use it,” says Cutter. “Show your best slide, your biggest win.”

3. Sweat the small stuff. Little details, like paying attention to the background of a video, are crucial, says Cutter. “Is the job part of a team? Have other people in there. Like to work in a coffee shop? Film it in there.”

4. Do your research. Cutter recommends that job seekers snoop around on an agency’s other social channels to get a feel for the place before sending a snap. “Those people already have what you want—a job,” he says. “Showcase yourself fitting in to the company, contributing to their success.”

Topics:

Get Hired, Networking, Uncategorized

Managing

7 Tips for Managing an Employee Who’s Significantly Older Than You

How to strike a balance that works for both sides

By Jenell Talley

Jenell Talley is a journalist and program analyst with a background spanning media, government, and editorial work. She holds a journalism degree from Howard University and a master's in human resources management from the University of Maryland.

2 min read • Originally published December 27, 2015 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Jenell Talley

Jenell Talley is a journalist and program analyst with a background spanning media, government, and editorial work. She holds a journalism degree from Howard University and a master's in human resources management from the University of Maryland.

2 min read • Originally published December 27, 2015 / Updated March 19, 2026

The younger-boss dynamic is one that’s becoming more and more commonplace, especially as entrepreneurial millennials are rising from the ranks at warp speed.

When managing someone who is 10 to 20 or more years older than you, just remember: “You’re on the same team, and there are things each of you is going to learn from the other,” says Shani Hilton, executive editor of news at BuzzFeed. At 30, Hilton knows a thing or two about managing older employees, and after several years at the company, she’s as buoyant as ever about her gig and everything that comes with it. “I think the only real challenge is to create a dynamic where we’re truly in a give-and-take relationship.” Difficult? Maybe. Doable? Definitely. Use these tips to help you avoid potential missteps and get the most out of your older employees.

1. Be authoritative but not authoritarian.

You aren’t helming a dictatorship. Researchers find that workers with autonomy report higher rates of job satisfaction. Seasoned workers have been in the workforce for decades. They’ve earned the right to have a say in how they do their job.

2. Ask questions.

You’re the boss, but that doesn’t mean you know more than your employees. They’ve been at this (a lot) longer than you, and they have years of industry- or company-specific knowledge. Use that.

3. Involve employees in the decision-making process.

Treat seasoned workers like the priceless assets they are. Show them their perspective and experience are valued.

4. Be open to feedback.

This isn’t older employees’ first rodeo, so they have insight you may not. They were building digital brands while you were finishing Integrated Marketing 101. Take advantage of their expertise.

5. Get to know your employees.

Older workers often feel overlooked amidst a sea of millennials. You don’t have to be best buds, but talk to your workers. Are they married? Do they have kids? Do they skydive?

6. Encourage continued professional growth.

Find out your employees’ goals and offer support in achieving them. Maybe the print magazine’s managing editor would rather work on Web content. Recommend a digital journalism course—and get the company to pay for it!

7. Keep an open mind.

“What I’ve learned,” says Hilton, “is age has very little to do with whether someone does well in this environment: 22-year-olds can be overly cautious sticks in the mud, and 52-year-olds can be wonderfully experimental.”

Topics:

Climb the Ladder, Managing, Skills & Expertise

Networking

No-Cringe Networking: How to Job Hunt the Right Way

Tactful methods to connect with media pros during your job search

By Ellen Gordon Reeves

7 min read • Originally published December 28, 2015 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Ellen Gordon Reeves

7 min read • Originally published December 28, 2015 / Updated March 19, 2026

When I talk to people of all ages about “networking,” they have valid reasons for bristling. They are shy. They fear rejection. But with networking being a key player in you scoring that dream job, you need to know how to reach out the right way.

Because we are all in the business of communicating, and thanks to the ease of the Internet, a faux pas can be sent into instant orbit. But the same button can send your tactful and legitimate query to scores of people who might really help you. Let’s take a look at a few tactics for networking, the right way.

Stop looking for a job and start looking for a person

This is my mantra: Stop looking for a job and start looking for a person. The right person will lead you to the right job. This applies whether you’re looking for a job or just personal and professional connections in general.

But you have to help people help you, and this is where many people bog down. I am a big fan of what I call the “inside informational interview,” a chance to talk with people within the company or organization you want to work for.

Since more than 80 percent of all jobs reside in what’s known as the “hidden job market,” you need to get inside a place and find out what’s really going on in terms of openings, their needs, future plans and so on.

Stop sending your résumé hurtling blindly into the black hole of cyberspace. Start talking to people.

Line up inside informational interviews

So how do you set up inside informational interviews, and where do you look to set them up? There are three resources I think are often overlooked, basically because they’re so obvious that they become invisible.

1. People where you work or freelance now. Once you’ve done anything for anyone in a company, even as a freelancer, intern or volunteer, you are an “insider” and you need to think of yourself that way—without being presumptuous. Make the most of that status in seeking new opportunities.

Describe what you’re looking for as specifically as possible (“I want to pitch a culinary travel feature about Japan since I’m going there this summer” or “I’m exploring the managing editorial side of publishing”) and ask your existing company contact for an introduction and whether or not you may use his/her name.

Ask for the name, email address and phone number of people you should talk to or ask whether your contact would be willing to forward a query from you, whether it’s a pitch or a request for an informational interview. Keep in touch with people at places you used to work and let them know what you’re looking for.

2. Your references. References are one of the most underutilized sources of leads around. You should always be in touch with your references and should be keeping them up to date on your search. Presumably, they already know and love you.

Don’t just ask them for a letter of recommendation or permission to have someone contact them for a verbal recommendation; ask for leads and contacts! Professors, particularly those who have published books, are great contacts, as well. They have publishers, editors and increasingly, agents—or know colleagues who do.

3. Your college/graduate school and high school alumni associations, career services and periodicals. These offices and associations range from the highly structured to informal or nonexistent; private institutions in particular place great emphasis on maintaining these kind of networks.

You can call up the alumni association, career or magazine office, explain that you’re interested in talking with alumni in your industry or area and see what they come up with.

Some schools have online databases or alumni magazines, some with “class notes” sections. Read these to find names of like-minded alumni and find out if they’re willing to be contacted and what their preferred mode of communication is.

Your class may have regional officers or representatives; reach out to them. The people who volunteer to serve in these roles are generally connectors. Attend local gatherings or reunion events.

The rules are the same whether you’re reaching out in person or virtually: Be respectful of people’s time, respect their right to say “no” to a request and don’t take it personally (they don’t know you!) if they do. Be clear about what you’re asking for, and avoid these surefire ways to turn people off.

Don’t be the person people want to flee from

After a party I hosted once, several friends told me that they had been accosted by an acquaintance trying to start a new business.

She had invited herself, cornered my guests and given them a hard sell in an invasive way. She had no sense of boundaries. Yes, social gatherings are obviously a way to meet new people, but they are not business meetings or professional networking events!

Yes, you want to meet as many people as possible, thus increasing your odds of landing in the right place. But know when to back off. Be prepared when you attend a social function but understand the limits of the situation.

Have business cards (yes, even before you’re in business—especially before you’re in business—you must have a card with your name and contact information) and have your elevator pitch ready, but don’t launch into a monologue at a social gathering.

Ask the person you’re talking with for guidance: “I’d love to tell you more. May I be in touch? What’s best for you?” Offer your card and ask if the person would like you to be in touch (in which case you need his/her contact information) or if he/she prefers to contact you at their convenience.

If you don’t hear from them within a week, send a brief reminder email (“Great to meet you at John’s birthday party last week; let me know if you have time to talk in the next week or so.”)

If you hear nothing, let it go. You never know what’s going on in people’s lives or minds.

Avoid artificial dissemination

A few weeks ago, at a cocktail party explicitly billed as a networking event for people in media, arts and entertainment, a guy came up to me, said “I’m Charlie” and stuck out his business card. That was it.

I had been talking with a friend; we stopped and I asked what business he was in. It turned out that in fact, we all had interests in the education arena, but after a few moments of conversation, he ran off.

He never once said what he was interested in or what he was looking for, did not describe his business or ask us any questions.

I guess he had been told to put his card in the hands of as many people as possible, but his Captain Literal interpretation was ludicrous. This is what I call artificial dissemination, and I don’t recommend it. His approach was tactless and useless.

In sum, don’t approach other people in a way you wouldn’t want to be approached. It gets really clear and simple when you think about it this way. Help people help you. When you’re reaching out, put your stock in The Golden Rule; it’s one asset that never loses its value.

The do’s and don’ts of helping people help you:

Don’t take people’s time for granted. Be up front and specific: “I’d like to talk with you about…” Be prepared for all encounters.
Don’t tell people “I’ll do anything” or “I’m interested in everything.” They can’t help you without specific guidelines about what you want. You are not being flexible; you are being naïve. I’m willing to talk to you and open my Rolodex but I need parameters: specific jobs, industries, geographical areas. Help me help you!
Do thank people who help you. In some cases, a meal or drink or gift is appropriate. Thank both the person you speak with and the person who makes the introduction.
Do keep your intermediaries in the loop; if you’re not going to follow up on a lead, let them know. If offered a contact you won’t use, decline politely.
Don’t pretend you’ll follow up if you know you won’t. “You know, I don’t think I should bother him at this point, but thanks for the lead—and I’ll keep that in mind.”

Topics:

Climb the Ladder, Get a Media Job, Networking

Managing

How Mentors and Mentees Can Help Each Other Succeed in Advertising

When everyone shares their gifts and talents, it’s a win-win

By David Gianatasio

2 min read • Originally published January 9, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

By David Gianatasio

2 min read • Originally published January 9, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

Carter Murray, worldwide chief executive officer at Interpublic Group’s FCB, believes that mentoring in the ad industry has grown increasingly crucial in recent years. Today, agency employees at all levels can teach and learn from each other, making the industry stronger through a constructive give-and-take of information, he said.

In this Q&A, Murray, who recently was named among Adweek’s 100 most influential leaders in marketing, media and technology, explains how mentors and mentees can benefit from one another’s experience.

Q: Is mentoring different today than five or 10 years ago?

A: The fundamentals of mentorship remain the same. You’ve got to listen, you’ve got to be honest and build on people’s strengths and candidly point out weaknesses. It’s a two-way street where those coming into the business have a ton to teach to those who are already pretty high up on the corporate ladder.

Q: Is it harder now or easier than in the pre-Internet age?

A: The only real difference between mentorship before the digital age and now is that mentorship is no longer limited by geography or industry. The opportunities are endless. I love when I get a text from one of my all-time favorite interns who is now a senior at American University and I hope joins FCB when he graduates. In the past, changing jobs or industries or moving to a new location might have resulted in mentors and mentees losing touch. Now, more than ever, it’s easier for us to text our mentor with quick questions or arrange a FaceTime meeting when a situation needs a little more attention. It’s really quite amazing.

Q: Did you have a mentor?

A: Harry MacAuslan from Leo Burnett was a great mentor. He taught me two things that have stayed with me always: Sometimes, you’ve just got to shut up and listen; you’ve got to understand before you are understood. And, always be yourself.

Q: What’s your view on reverse mentoring, younger staffers showing older ones the digital ropes?

A: It’s paramount, and I’m grateful. Young staffers feel needed and empowered, and they teach more senior staffers who are not always as comfortable with technology how to navigate without fear. It’s a win-win. Everyone has different skills and gifts that should be shared with others. I want the people of FCB of all generations to be eager and open to learning new things every day. I can honestly say that I learn something new every day, and, sometimes those learnings come from the new ways of thinking millennials bring to the table.

This article was originally published on Adweek.com.

Topics:

Climb the Ladder, Managing

Job Search

Ridiculously Creative Ways Media Job Seekers Are Landing Gigs

Here's how to go beyond the standard resume to land the job

By John Lombard

John Lombard is a content strategist and writer with over a decade of experience creating interactive and video content for brands like Apple, IBM, and Samsung. He previously worked at Mediabistro and now serves as a Client Strategist at Ceros.

3 min read • Originally published January 13, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

By John Lombard

John Lombard is a content strategist and writer with over a decade of experience creating interactive and video content for brands like Apple, IBM, and Samsung. He previously worked at Mediabistro and now serves as a Client Strategist at Ceros.

3 min read • Originally published January 13, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

You’ve got the skills, the talent, the fresh pair of Warby Parkers. Now you just need that media job. But getting your foot in the door isn’t easy, and sometimes in order to stand out, you need to make a big entrance.

To give you some inspiration, here are a few ridiculously awesome tactics job-seekers (and landers) have used to get noticed.

Spoiler alert: After reading you’ll seriously want to up your job search game.

Message in a Bottle

Canhür Aktuglu landed his dream job at DDB Istanbul with a crazy-inventive approach: A message in a bottle. With a thumb drive cork—holding his resume and portfolio—and a rolled up cover letter inside the agency-branded bottle, this delivery method and packaging didn’t just wash ashore, it hit home.

Ten days later, Aktuglu found himself in the DDB Istanbul office as an art director. This goes to show the importance of zeroing in on the job you want and spending the time and energy to show how much you want it. Read more about it Aktuglu’s success here.

2. Customized Resume

Nina Mufleh, a marketer and communications specialist, had a dream to work at one of her favorite companies, Airbnb. And with the typical application process yielding no results, Mufleh decided to take matters into her own hands by developing a resume site that very closely resembled the look and feel of Airbnb.

And she didn’t stop there. On the Airbnb-like site, Mufleh analyzed the global tourism market, providing a report as to where Airbnb should focus their efforts. Sharing it on social media with the company’s founders helped as well, garnering her immediate attention from the CMO and from media outlets across the web.

And while Nina did not land a job at Airbnb, the media attention helped open many more doors for her as she began receiving calls from companies all over the world. Ultimately, Mufleh landed a sweet job at Upwork as a freelance growth marketer.

3. Choose Your Own Resume Adventure

While many have taken to the Youtube video resume idea lately, there’s one guy who helped to really get the ball rolling. Meet Graeme Anthony, a communications expert who used Youtube’s in-video links as a table of contents where employers could click through different areas such as “Skills” and “Timeline.” And, yes, it worked. Shortly after uploading his video, Anthony was offered a job at one of the UK’s top PR agencies, Frank PR.

Others have used this technique in search of their respective dream jobs, too. This programmer did a great job of mixing fun visual elements to further drive home his data points and light quirky humor to show his character, and this mustachioed digital strategist used Ron Burgundy-esque humor in an attempt at getting Google’s attention.

Looking to up your job search game? You can break out of your rut and get insightful pointers with the help of a pro. Mediabistro’s Career Services offer everything from a resume retread to several sessions of career counseling to work on your elevator pitch, networking skills, career transition, and more.

Topics:

Get Hired, Job Search

Job Search

4 Essential Steps to Repair Your Online Reputation

SEO experts tell how to appear favorably in the king of search engines

By Andrea Williams

@AndreaWillWrite

Andrea Williams is an author, journalist, and columnist for The Tennessean with over 16 years of experience in journalism and 20 years in copywriting and communications strategy. Her work spans national outlets and high-traffic digital brands.

5 min read • Originally published January 25, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Andrea Williams

@AndreaWillWrite

Andrea Williams is an author, journalist, and columnist for The Tennessean with over 16 years of experience in journalism and 20 years in copywriting and communications strategy. Her work spans national outlets and high-traffic digital brands.

5 min read • Originally published January 25, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

Here’s a hard truth: You’ve been Googled. It’s a paradox of sorts, this notion that we want to be recognizable and known, but that we only want the most favorable aspects of our lives divulged. So when every ill-advised photo or insensitive slip of the post has potentially far-reaching ramifications, and when having no online presence can also be just as damaging to career aspirations, it’s important that we all learn how to give good Google. How do you ensure that every result for your name is the best one possible? Read on. Here are 4 things you can do right now to fix your online reputation.

1. Build a Website and Optimize It

Lists like these usually don’t start with the most important tip in first place, but we will because it’s just that crucial to getting favorable search results. In fact, let’s just italicize it, so you get the point: If your domain is YourFullName.com, Google will rank it higher when people search for you.

Now, to the fine print: Just because you build a website doesn’t mean people will automatically visit it. SEO (search engine optimization) may sound like a dirty word to the tech adverse, but it’s a fairly straightforward concept that, when leveraged, can help Google find your online home and bump it up in search results.

“It really boils down to keywords for the homepage optimization,” says Collin Jarman, SEO technician at Click Optimize, LLC, a North Carolina-based Web design and Internet marketing firm. “So, in this instance, your keyword is going to be your own name because that’s what you want to rank for.”

Jarman suggests using your name as your domain, but if that’s not possible it’s not a total deal breaker. Just be liberal in putting your name everywhere else: in page titles, in the About page copy and even in little blurbs at the bottom of every blog post. In this case, humility gets you nowhere. “You need to talk about yourself because, at the end of the day, if your website doesn’t use your name, then Google’s not going to see it when it gets called, and it won’t rank for your own name,” cautions Jarman.

2. Create Plenty of Content, Regularly

If a person builds a website, but never posts any content, does it really make a sound? Of course not. So, now that YourFullName.com is firing on all cylinders, it’s time to get crazy with blogs and video to really fly up the Google rankings fast.

“One of the many things that Google considers within its algorithm, everyone believes, is fresh and updated content,” says Nick Barron, social media manager at Fannie Mae.

“So, if you publish a website and you don’t update it and a year goes by, Google’s going to view that as not-so-fresh content. If someone with your name or with similar spelling of your name comes behind and has a blog or has a fresher website, then they’re likely to rank more highly on Google than you would, because your content is just sort of stagnant.”

Creating sticky content that lots of people link back to is important, as well. “What you want to do is publish content that you think other people would be interested in reading or linking to from their blogs or their social media websites, because that linking in to your content can really help your content rank well in Google,” adds Barron.

3. Get Social Media Savvy

Social media also provides an excellent way to build an online platform quickly and easily, but all networks are not created equally. While Facebook might reign supreme for sharing pics from last night’s happy hour soiree, LinkedIn is the unofficial boss when it comes to landing atop search results with 100 percent user-controlled content.

So, if you’re concerned that news about your leading a protest in 2015 is hurting your chances for job interviews, get a LinkedIn page—now. Employers are much more likely to dig there for info on you.

“The way that the Google algorithms work is a website that is as strong as LinkedIn is much more likely to show up towards the top of a name search, because Google obviously trusts that it’s really a strong website,” explains John Leo Weber, SEO specialist at Geek Powered Studios, LLC. “LinkedIn acts as a person’s digital resume, so it’s very important that people take time filling out [their profiles] and replicating their real life connections on LinkedIn.”

And, again, if your name is John Smith or something equally common, being active on social media is imperative. “[If] you join Twitter but you don’t tweet for a year, Google’s going to say, ‘Well, if this person’s even still alive, I wouldn’t know it based on the fact that they’re not tweeting,'” adds Barron. “And if you have a common name, it just increases the likelihood that someone else with your name is going to [be tweeting]. It’s just a competition.”

When it comes to Facebook, Weber encourages users to spend time filtering through the site’s ever-changing security settings to ensure that unfavorable content stays hidden during searches. Or, even better: Use a nickname or pseudonym to be certain that said happy hour photos never see the light of day.

4. Build Your Personal Brand

Certainly, getting a basic grasp of SEO concepts and learning how Google’s algorithm works will help improve your personal search results, but according to Jay Jessup, brand strategist with Platform Strategy Branding and Publicity and author of Fame 101: Powerful Personal Branding & Publicity for Amazing Success, there’s a better, more effective way.

“I don’t want to call it gaming the system, [but] too many people are focused on just getting their name out rather than doing something that will enhance their brand—the result of which will be to get their name out,” he says.

Jessup recommends that individuals, regardless of industry, write a book and/or try their hand at public speaking. Besides generating additional revenue streams, these offline efforts create buzz (and perhaps regional or national publicity) that is sure to populate search results—no tech training necessary.

“Sure you should have a LinkedIn, Facebook, et cetera, but that isn’t much,” adds Jessup. “It doesn’t get your reputation out; it doesn’t get the thing that’s going to help you in your career out. So, instead, you do some other things that Google and the other search engines will reward you for that you ought to be doing anyway to help your career.”

If you’d like to improve your social media profile even more, consider getting the help of a pro. Mediabistro’s Career Services offer everything from a LinkedIn rewrite to several sessions of career counseling to tackle your cover letter, networking skills, career transition and more.

Topics:

Get Hired, Job Search

Journalism Advice

Write Better Headlines and Land More Freelance Assignments

Walk the line between clickable and sensationalist click bait

By Amanda Layman Low

@AmandaLaymanLow

Amanda Layman is a B2B tech content writer and strategist with over 15 years of experience creating content for startups and enterprise brands. She founded Tigris, a content agency serving leading tech companies, and authored The New Freelance: A Book for Writers.

4 min read • Originally published January 26, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Amanda Layman Low

@AmandaLaymanLow

Amanda Layman is a B2B tech content writer and strategist with over 15 years of experience creating content for startups and enterprise brands. She founded Tigris, a content agency serving leading tech companies, and authored The New Freelance: A Book for Writers.

4 min read • Originally published January 26, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

Headlines are arguably the most important part of your article. Without an attention-grabbing title, fewer people are going to read your content, and that could make it harder to land assignments. To get people clicking, you need a curiosity-invoking, promise-of-problem-solving headline that’s actually backed up by quality content. Here are tips for crafting headlines that land assignments, and ultimately garner clicks and loyalty from your audience.

1. Put Your Headline First

Brainstorming headlines before you even write a piece can focus to your article. “If you can’t lead with a strong headline, it means you don’t quite understand yourself or what the article is going to be about,” says Danny Groner, manager of blogger partnerships and outreach at Shutterstock.

And when it comes to pitching, it’s crucial to feature your headline front and center, typically in the subject line. For instance, I pitched the story you’re reading with this subject line: “Story pitch from Amanda Low: How to Craft Can’t-Miss Headlines.”

2. Make Your Headline Click-worthy, Not Click Bait

There’s pressure for content strategists and editors to increase traffic to their sites, and it can be tempting to write extreme headlines that pander to people’s curiosity.

To walk the line between clickable and sensationalist click bait, “Lead with intrigue or mystery,” suggests Ashley Watkins, marketing communications specialist at Trimark Associates. “Give enough information so the reader knows the article is legitimate and relevant to them, but not so much that they don’t read further.”

A piece titled “Coffee Grounds: The Secret Ingredient to Plant Growth” isn’t as attention-grabbing as “Grow Your Plants 10 Times Faster with This Household Item.” The first one gives away the punch line, where the second one only hints at it.

Being genuine and helpful is important, too. “Some brands over-promise with headlines and can disappoint their readers, which can also mean losing a potential customer,” says Groner. “It’s best practice to stick to direct headlines that tell people why they should click in, and then to give them more than they even expected.”

3. Know a Publication’s Headline Conventions

When you’re pitching, the best way to generate an effective headline is to study your target publication. For instance, if you’re writing a rags-to-riches story about an entrepreneur, and you’re pitching a profile on her to a regional magazine, your headline should mention the city she lives in.

However, if you’re pitching it as a how-to piece for the general population, your headline may focus instead on the incredible circumstances of her life.

4. Use Numbers Intelligently

We’ve all seen the proliferation of “listicles” that lead with “7 Ways to Overcome a Case of The Mondays” or “6 Ways to Get Organized.” There’s a reason content creators use numbers: They actually work, as readers are drawn to the promised structure of a list.

The trick to using numbers in your headlines is to place them strategically. Watkins suggests using numbers to emphasize duration or scale, especially when it’s integral to the story. “‘Paralyzed Woman to Run 50 Marathons in 2016’ is a headline I’ve written for a client,” she says. “Reporters turned into supporters and wanted to know about her condition, and how and why she planned to run so much in one year.”

Numbers can also help communicate statistics in a powerful way. “They help the reader quantify the scenario in their head and add a layer of context,” says Watkins. For instance, “Four of Seven Main Street Restaurants to Close After Bacterial Infections Reported.” These numbers serve a purpose beyond sensationalism.

5. Be SEO Savvy

You don’t have to understand everything about search-engine optimization to make your headlines SEO friendly; if your headline includes the main point, and your article is accurate to that headline, you’re off to a great start.

According to Dan Benton, editor in chief of SportsMedia101.com, search-engine optimized headlines should also use:

Full names and lead with nouns, if possible
Fewer than fifteen words
Phrases people interested in your topic will search

Don’t be wordy or vague. Says Benton: “There’s a key ‘sweet spot’ each author must find that is tuned to their target audience.”

Looking to up your headline writing skills? Consider Mediabistro’s online course Skills in 60: Headlines and Taglines. This quick take on copywriting can help you craft headlines that get noticed, and give you ideas when you think you’re tapped out.

Topics:

Go Freelance, Journalism Advice

Skills & Expertise

6 Proven Secrets to Thriving as a Social Media Manager

Drive engagement, prove your worth, repeat

By Amanda Layman Low

@AmandaLaymanLow

Amanda Layman is a B2B tech content writer and strategist with over 15 years of experience creating content for startups and enterprise brands. She founded Tigris, a content agency serving leading tech companies, and authored The New Freelance: A Book for Writers.

3 min read • Originally published January 27, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Amanda Layman Low

@AmandaLaymanLow

Amanda Layman is a B2B tech content writer and strategist with over 15 years of experience creating content for startups and enterprise brands. She founded Tigris, a content agency serving leading tech companies, and authored The New Freelance: A Book for Writers.

3 min read • Originally published January 27, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

Being a social media manager is a multifaceted job: You’re a data analyst one minute, a community moderator the next and an innovator and entrepreneur after that. Whether you’re a freelancer looking to score your next big client or a job seeker eager to land a new opportunity, here are tactics you can employ right now to rise up in social media management.

1. Know Your Channels

You won’t land gigs, or an interview, if you’re not experienced in programming content on the top social media channels. Being comfortable in Facebook and Twitter is a good start, but depending on your skills and client list, consider taking some time to work with other platforms like StumbleUpon, Pinterest and YouTube. Also on your to-do list: Keep up with channels that are gaining momentum like video hub Vine, shopping site Wanelo and slide hosting service SlideShare.

2. Beef Up Your Graphic Design Skills

You don’t have to be a Photoshop god, but having a keen eye for design will place you far above the competition. Social media is saturated with content, and the posts with fine-tuned images are the ones that stand out. Graphic design skills carry over into every corner of marketing, as well.

3. Make an Infographic to Show ROI

One of the biggest challenges in social media management is showing return on investment (ROI): in short, proving to clients and potential employers that your hard work generates real results. Take the data from your best campaigns and put it all in one place.

Then, use that finely tuned graphic design skill (or hire a designer) to make a stunning infographic that you can send to future employers and hand out at conferences to promote yourself. The benefit is vast: Not only will an infographic support your claims with stats, but you will demonstrate that ability to communicate visually.

4. Demonstrate Your Ability to Handle Sticky Situations

Responding quickly and tactfully to online disasters not only proves your aptitude as a social media manager, but it proves your ability to stay calm amidst chaos—a skill essential to any media job.

5. Get Some Testimonials

Can you think of a time you got some excellent feedback after a stellar social media campaign? Whether it’s from a coworker, client or former employer, a few affirmative sentences from others can go a long way. Post these on your website or solicit them on LinkedIn to lend some real-world credibility to your hard work.

6. Target Your Next Goal

The strategy you employ now will vary depending on the role you seek. If you’re striving for a social media manager job at a targeted company, you’ll want to keep honing your skills as a jack of all trades. But if your long-term hope is to secure a C-level position or start your own company, now would be a great time to build a social media consulting practice. Work on your sales know-how to grow your client base and follow the big players in your field of choice.

If you’d like to hone your social media skills even more, consider taking a class. Mediabistro’s Online Social Media Courses teach you how to do everything from creating a social media strategy to using social media for business.

Topics:

Climb the Ladder, Skills & Expertise

Advice From the Pros

Behind the Scenes With The Talk’s Julie Chen and EP John Redmann

Daytime TV power players serve up words of wisdom for would-be broadcasters

By Susan Hornik

5 min read • Originally published January 28, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Susan Hornik

5 min read • Originally published January 28, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

It’s no easy feat to create a daytime talk show that consistently attracts viewers. Yet John Redmann, executive producer of CBS’s “The Talk,” has done just that for six seasons, with the help of creator, co-host and fellow EP Sara Gilbert, and her co-hosts Julie Chen, Sheryl Underwood, Aisha Tyler and Sharon Osbourne. Here, show moderator Chen, who admits she never set out to be a talk show host, and Redmann offer a bit of career insight for anyone aspiring to work in broadcasting.

Mediabistro: Julie, you’ve worn several hats in your career. What’s the difference between anchoring the news, being the co-host of a talk show and hosting a show like Big Brother?

Julie Chen: All three jobs are extremely different and require different skill sets. For anchoring the news, you must be impartial and never show your personal opinion or your own political slant. No editorializing allowed. Hosting “The Talk” requires showing your opinion on a topic, which is the exact opposite. And hosting Big Brother, you have to be fair and make judgment calls quickly during the live show competitions. It sounds frivolous, but it’s not because a bad call on my part could unfairly cost someone a half a million dollars.

MB: At what point did you know you’d achieved professional success?

JC: I knew I’d made it when I got a personal handwritten note from Connie Chung saying, don’t let the critics get you down. I was attacked for being a news person hosting Big Brother.

MB: Since you mention Connie, do you think there are enough inroads being made for Asian people in journalism or specifically on television?

JC: There have not been many obvious inroads made for Asians in any area. It was the unsaid inside joke amongst Asians that being Asian worked against us to get into Ivy League schools—because there were too many of us there. The Asian culture is not known historically for fighting openly and loudly for what we want. Good or bad, we are more of a pacifist culture. This is bad in one sense, because as the old adage goes, the squeaky wheel is the one that gets oiled.

That being said, I see a lot more Asians being represented on television. I like to think hard work, perseverance and changes in society are all reasons why we see many more people of all cultures represented today.

MB: What advice do you have for people just starting out in the broadcasting industry?

JC: My advice is to watch yourself [on screen] each and every day until you stop cringing. You’ll never be totally happy with your work, but if you stop cringing you’re probably as good as you can be and can self-regulate in the moment when you’re broadcasting.

MB: What mistakes have you learned in your career that you wish you could have done differently?

JC: I wouldn’t do anything over. All mistakes lead to good things so long as you learn from them and change!

MB: John, did you ever imagine “The Talk” would be as successful as it is?

John Redmann: Once the chemistry clicked, once we had the right five [hosts], I think then we knew it had a trajectory of success that you couldn’t stop.

MB: Outside of the celebrity stuff, what kinds of stories interest you enough to talk about on the show?

JR: We go more for celebrity and human-interest stories. We’re not too political, so if they’re non-celebrity stories, we make sure they are stories that everyone has an opinion on that lend themselves to a good discussion—whether it’s a viral video or it’s a new law or something that has happened in the school system. We look for topics that all viewers may be discussing in their own homes and with their friends. We’re an extension of those conversations. We are a part of their lives.

MB: Your job must require you to be constantly online. Ever unplug?

JR: I’m addicted to my phone. I’m always checking all of the news sites and celebrity stories to see what is going on and what’s the latest breaking news. I always think, ‘Oh, that will make a good topic.’ So I’m always connected!

MB: What’s the hardest part of your job as executive producer?

JR: The hardest part is getting the women to get into hair and makeup in the morning on time! They are very chatty about their lives, about the show topics and they naturally want to share their opinions with each other… so I find myself constantly saying, ‘Save it for the show!’

MB: And the most fulfilling part?

JR: I think at the end of the day, you want to entertain people and brighten their day and hopefully we have the right balance of humor and heart, mixed with some topical news… So you learn a little something, laugh and, we hope, have a great time.

MB: Was producing a talk show always a goal of yours?

JR: From a young age, I always wanted to do a talk show. Instead of watching cartoons, I was watching “The Phil Donahue Show” and “Sally Jessy Raphael” as a kid, so I knew I’d wind up doing talk shows. I knew I made it when I won my first Emmy working at “Rosie.”

MB: What advice do you have for people just starting out in production?

JR: No matter what you’re asked to do, do it well. Even a food order! Get it right, because that’s all that people have to judge you by. Even though you think you’re asked to do something that’s really mundane, you can still do it well and with a good energy.

MB: What mistakes have you learned in your career that you wish you could have done different?

JR: Don’t tolerate toxic people in your environment. And if you’re in charge of staffing a show, get rid of those types right away! Because you don’t want them to bring others down. It’s your job to set the appropriate tone in the workplace.

Topics:

Advice From the Pros, Be Inspired

According to our friend, a great magazine story:

1. Be authoritative but not authoritarian.

2. Ask questions.

3. Involve employees in the decision-making process.

4. Be open to feedback.

5. Get to know your employees.

6. Encourage continued professional growth.

7. Keep an open mind.

Stop looking for a job and start looking for a person

Line up inside informational interviews

Don’t be the person people want to flee from

Avoid artificial dissemination

The do’s and don’ts of helping people help you:

Q: Is mentoring different today than five or 10 years ago?

Q: Is it harder now or easier than in the pre-Internet age?

Q: Did you have a mentor?

Q: What’s your view on reverse mentoring, younger staffers showing older ones the digital ropes?

Message in a Bottle

2. Customized Resume

3. Choose Your Own Resume Adventure

1. Build a Website and Optimize It

2. Create Plenty of Content, Regularly

3. Get Social Media Savvy

4. Build Your Personal Brand

1. Put Your Headline First

2. Make Your Headline Click-worthy, Not Click Bait

3. Know a Publication’s Headline Conventions

4. Use Numbers Intelligently

5. Be SEO Savvy

1. Know Your Channels

2. Beef Up Your Graphic Design Skills

3. Make an Infographic to Show ROI

4. Demonstrate Your Ability to Handle Sticky Situations

5. Get Some Testimonials

6. Target Your Next Goal

David Baker