Love this! One question though: I’ve had 0% success using pitch forms (ie Fodors). As in, I never even hear back. Never. Is it really that my pitches are that bad? I’ve landed some pitches with big pubs, so I just struggle to believe they didn’t even garner a “no.” I’ve also noticed most say something like, “X Publication’s Pitch Form 2024” or similar past year and so I’ve wondered if they’re really the way to go.
I have heard back from pitch forms sometimes, so I don't completely rule them out, but I also don't hear back a lot, and it can feel frustrating. When I published with Fodor's, they were actually using a general pitch email rather than the form, but that is how I got acceptances (and suspect the form is serving a similar purpose). I've heard some editors say that they really are using them too as just a way to not lose track of pitches.
That said, at a pub like Business Insider, there are sometimes editors who use the forms and others who have you pitch via email, so I think you could just opt for ones who prefer email. Also, I think there are old forms floating around sometimes where the editor has left, so those probably are dead ends! So I think it can depend a bit...
Julie, have you shared with readers what a publication like Business Insider pays for articles? Curious and a quick google didn't turn up the answer, plus I know what's posted sometimes varies from what a regular freelancer might get.
Insider editors are often pretty transparent about this in their pitch calls (which is nice), and what they are posting tends to be pretty close to the rate I think (it might be slightly variable but not by a lot for the same type of article, I think).
Below is one example where she lists $240 as the rate, and somewhere around that rate is pretty typical for them for a 600ish-word piece with no reporting from what I've seen. But a reported/longer piece would get higher rates, I think.
And I would say other pubs are in a similar range these days for online articles. Also, this database shares some recent rates for different pubs that might be helpful in seeing what pubs are paying:
Thank You for sharing! As someone who writes a lot about comedy and with humor, I am grateful for your insights!
Of course, thanks for reading!
Love this! One question though: I’ve had 0% success using pitch forms (ie Fodors). As in, I never even hear back. Never. Is it really that my pitches are that bad? I’ve landed some pitches with big pubs, so I just struggle to believe they didn’t even garner a “no.” I’ve also noticed most say something like, “X Publication’s Pitch Form 2024” or similar past year and so I’ve wondered if they’re really the way to go.
I have heard back from pitch forms sometimes, so I don't completely rule them out, but I also don't hear back a lot, and it can feel frustrating. When I published with Fodor's, they were actually using a general pitch email rather than the form, but that is how I got acceptances (and suspect the form is serving a similar purpose). I've heard some editors say that they really are using them too as just a way to not lose track of pitches.
That said, at a pub like Business Insider, there are sometimes editors who use the forms and others who have you pitch via email, so I think you could just opt for ones who prefer email. Also, I think there are old forms floating around sometimes where the editor has left, so those probably are dead ends! So I think it can depend a bit...
This is great, Julie! I've got two big trips planned this year and would love to branch out into travel writing. Thanks for sharing!
Perfect, I think it can be a good way to branch out!
Ms. Farnsworth, who visited Taco Bell's hotel, perhaps could follow up with an explosive investigative piece on cyclosporiasis.
Definitely a timely potential angle on that one, ha!
Thank you for the tips! I grew up in Boulder. What city do you live in?
Oh, nice! I live in Louisville :)
Julie, have you shared with readers what a publication like Business Insider pays for articles? Curious and a quick google didn't turn up the answer, plus I know what's posted sometimes varies from what a regular freelancer might get.
Insider editors are often pretty transparent about this in their pitch calls (which is nice), and what they are posting tends to be pretty close to the rate I think (it might be slightly variable but not by a lot for the same type of article, I think).
Below is one example where she lists $240 as the rate, and somewhere around that rate is pretty typical for them for a 600ish-word piece with no reporting from what I've seen. But a reported/longer piece would get higher rates, I think.
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7475182134740164608/
And I would say other pubs are in a similar range these days for online articles. Also, this database shares some recent rates for different pubs that might be helpful in seeing what pubs are paying:
https://www.freelancingwithtim.com/p/freelance-journalist-pay-rates-nyt-wired-washington-post-rolling-stone-time
Great resources. Thank you!