Tips for Working with Editors of Other Websites

by Kayla Lords · Published April 20, 2020 · Updated July 23, 2020

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 50:12 — 35.1MB)

Not every smutlancer pitches their ideas to other websites, but many do. If you’re a writer, it’s likely that you’ve done it or considered it. In this episode, I’m speaking specifically about writing non-fiction. Sites that publish fiction have slightly different expectations and requirements (although some of these tips are universal). This is based on the years I’ve spent pitching my ideas and working with editors as well as the past 14-16 months spent as an editor on behalf of different sites.

In this episode:

Every editor is different and has different expectations. These tips are meant to help if you don’t have that information yet.
Read guidelines if they’re available and follow them.
Make your pitch concise but also make sure to include all the necessary information.
Unless the guidelines tell you not to, don’t be afraid to follow up if you don’t hear back on your pitch.
Communicate any problems that occur after your pitch is accepted. Whatever you do, DON’T ghost your editor.
Send in your best work — well-edited and ready-to-go.
Learn how to write for that publication. Read their content. Pay attention to how their articles are formatted.
Keep in mind certain best practices for writing online:
Vary your sentence length. Every sentence shouldn’t be complex and the length of a paragraph.
Shorten your paragraphs. Walls of text aren’t skimmable online.
Use subheadings, bullet points, even bold words and phrases.