No Contacts? No Problem! How to Pitch and Sell a Freelance Feature

Book excerpt: There are plenty of books on the market which tell you how to write stylish prose, attention-grabbing headlines or market yourself better as a freelance writer. But how do you get that first piece published in a national publication? This book shows you the techniques that real freelancers use to sell their ideas and get into print. Professional freelancer Catherine Quinn, who built a successful freelance career from scratch, guides you through a step-by-step process to get your first article in print, from how to format your pitch, to identifying the undersold freelance hotspots. Her tried and tested step-by-step approach: • Shows you how to scope the market and pick the most likely potential customers • Gives the inside track on how to convince editors who've never heard of you to commission your work • Tells you what to expect at every step along the pitching process • Includes a four week plan with a day-by-day process to kick start your freelance career