How to Pitch a Magazine Article: What Beginners Should Know
To pitch a magazine article, you need a specific story idea that suits the publication and gives an editor a reason to consider commissioning it.
You don't necessarily need journalism qualifications, published articles or a personal connection with an editor.
But pitching involves more than emailing a magazine, newspaper or online publication to say you'd like to write for them.
If you've ever read an article and thought, “I'd love to write something like that,” here's what you should know before approaching an editor.
What Is a Magazine Article Pitch?
A magazine pitch is a proposal for a story you want a publication to consider.
Rather than submitting a completed article, you're usually presenting an idea that an editor can assess before deciding whether to commission it.
A pitch isn't the same as a general enquiry about writing opportunities. It proposes a particular piece of editorial content.
Not every publication works this way. Some accept completed submissions, while others commission most of their work directly. Always check the publication's contributor guidelines where available.
Can Beginners Pitch Magazine Editors?
Yes. You don't need a journalism degree or an established writing career to approach publications that accept freelance pitches.
I began pitching my own story ideas after years working in communications and marketing. Although I'd always loved writing and reading magazines, it hadn't occurred to me that I could approach editors directly.
I've since written for publications including The Guardian Australia, The Sydney Morning Herald, Reader's Digest Australia and MiNDFOOD.
That doesn't mean getting published is easy. Established writers have experience and published work that can help demonstrate their abilities.
But being new doesn't automatically rule you out.
What Do Magazine Editors Look for in a Pitch?
Editors are looking for stories that serve their readers and suit their publication.
A subject might be fascinating to you without being appropriate for a particular magazine.
Editors may consider whether a proposed story is relevant, distinctive, timely and credible. They also need confidence that the writer can deliver it.
Different publications have different requirements. A travel magazine, health publication and newspaper opinion section won't necessarily want the same type of story.
There's no single pitch that works everywhere.
What's the Difference Between a Topic and a Story?
This is an important distinction for aspiring magazine writers.
A topic is a broad subject, such as travel, parenting or healthy eating.
A story is a more specific proposition within that subject.
For example, I once pitched a travel story comparing the cost of an Australian holiday park stay with a family resort holiday in Fiji.
The subject was family holidays. The story was the surprising comparison and what it might mean for families deciding where to spend their money.
Understanding the difference between a general subject and an editorial story is an important part of learning to pitch.
Do You Need to Know an Editor Personally?
No. While established relationships can help, freelance writers can also approach publications through contributor guidelines or appropriate editorial contacts.
Not every magazine accepts unsolicited pitches, and editors' responsibilities can change.
The important thing is to respect each publication's submission requirements rather than assume every outlet operates in the same way.
How Long Should a Magazine Pitch Be?
There's no universal word count.
A short, straightforward proposal to an editor who already knows your work may need less explanation than a complex feature pitched by a new contributor.
Some of my pitches to MiNDFOOD have been quite brief because I already had an established relationship with the editor.
That doesn't mean a beginner should copy the length of those emails.
A pitch needs to give the editor enough information to consider the story without becoming unnecessarily lengthy.
Should You Write the Article Before Pitching?
Often, no.
For many commissioned features, writers propose the idea before producing the full article.
An editor may want to change the angle, length or treatment before commissioning it.
Writing an entire article first can mean investing considerable time in something a publication hasn't agreed to buy.
There are exceptions. Some outlets accept completed submissions, so check their guidelines and clarify the terms before proceeding.
What Happens If an Editor Doesn't Reply?
Silence is common in freelance pitching.
Editors receive many approaches and can't always respond to each one.
A lack of response doesn't necessarily mean your idea was poor. It also doesn't mean the editor is interested.
I once pitched a story about purple vegetables to The Guardian Australia. After hearing nothing initially, I followed up, and the story was eventually commissioned and published.
Not every unanswered pitch will lead somewhere, but silence isn't always a final verdict.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pitch a magazine with no published writing samples?
Yes, if the publication accepts freelance pitches. Published work can help establish credibility, but relevant expertise or experience may also be valuable.
Do magazines pay freelance writers?
Many do, although rates and arrangements vary considerably. Always clarify the fee, payment terms and rights before accepting a commission.
Does an editor accepting my pitch guarantee publication?
Not necessarily. Commissioning and publication are different stages, and editorial plans can change. Make sure you understand the publication's agreement and payment conditions.
Ready to Pitch Your Own Story?
Reading about magazine pitching is a useful start. But if you want to write for publications, eventually you'll need to turn your ideas into something you can send to an editor.
The Pitch Express is my practical four-week online course for aspiring magazine and online publication writers.
Through eight short lessons, real-world examples and practical resources, I'll guide you towards developing and sending an editor-ready story pitch.