I recently started freelance writing. Correction: I started freelance pitching.
So, here’s the deal. Freelance writing isn’t like what I thought it would be at all. When I first started, I felt confident and so sure of myself that at least my second or third pitch would be approved. The first pitch passed, then the second and third, and soon enough, I hit my 30th pitch. It felt scary– disastrous even. Would I ever get accepted?
Freelance writing is a dangerous game. But, the longer you play, the better you get at it. I’m not a full-time freelance writer, thank god, but one day, if I need to be, I know I’m building the skills to be one. Writing is my life, and I’m glad that I’m at least trying to pitch.
I’ve started pitching at least 3 times per day this week, obviously reusing pitches. Writing 3 fresh pitches PER day is hard y’all. Trust me. I’m capping my pitches at 20/week.
But, pitching this much has worn down on me. I’m tired of not getting any response after weeks of trying, with all sorts of publications.
Freelance Tip: Send your pitch to other publications too! Don’t ever stop at one because you don’t know when you’re going to get lucky.
This week, I got another rejection from Eater. I even consulted with one of my freelancer friends who was published in Teen Vogue. She’s an expert, and I still didn’t get accepted. She told me that my pitch was actually really great, but because of COVID-19, they were probably turning me down.
First of all, go away COVID. Like, now please?
Secondly, I felt like losing all hope by then. Did it really matter to even make an effort at developing these ideas if no one was actually going to go through and let me write the story and publish it? It didn’t make sense.
I was actually saving this article idea to talk about the world of freelancing, and how incredibly hard it was and end it with my success. That I was going to be published.
Clearly, that didn’t happen. I didn’t want to wait any longer though. I may not have my success yet, but that’s how life works. You give and you put so much effort in, and someday, sometime, something will happen. You will have your great achievement someday.
And, until that day comes for me, I’ll just have to keep on writing, I guess.
Also, sorry for flooding your inbox The Atlantic, Teen Vogue, Business Insider, and The Guardian. :(
Anyways, thanks for reading!
<3 ‘Till Tuesday!
Srilekha
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