Pitching ideas to potential clients can feel uncomfortable, especially during the early stages of your writing career. It can be difficult knowing when to pull the plug on an approach that doesn’t seem to be generating the desired results. The opportunity cost can come creeping into your mind, waging war with the fear of missing out.
Having a good idea of how many attempts to use before trying something new can save time and frustration. Continue reading to gain a better understanding of when to move on and the signs that a pitch is falling flat.
How long to trust a strategy
One of the worst things a freelance writer can do is lose confidence in their pitching and writing skills. Even when the market for opportunities looks barren, writers who trust their quality are likely to find opportunities that lead to steady income.
It’s a good rule of thumb when early in the pitching process to give a particular pitch at least 15 attempts. Anything before 15 pitches is pulling the plug too early in the process, which could leave unrealized opportunities out there and lead to habits based around not giving pitches enough time to succeed.
The ideal range is to focus on 20 to 30 pitches. After reaching these numbers, step back and wait for any responses from potential clients. If you do not get any responses, it’s time to consider altering your offer, target, or angle to see if they lead to the desired results.
Give potential clients at least four weeks to see and respond to your pitch. If you hear nothing after four weeks of waiting, you can begin altering the different aspects of your pitch and reach out to potential clients with a new-look approach.
Signs of an unsuccessful pitch
No replies
An immediate sign that your pitching strategy is falling flat with potential clients is a lack of replies. You don’t want to pester these individuals or businesses, but reaching out after weeks of silence is not the solution. Instead, analyze the subject line and hook of the pitch to see what you can change or do differently that may capture attention or provide an instant of captivation.
Consistent rejections
It is also helpful to learn how to read any rejections you receive from potential clients. Rejections are part of life as a freelance writer, but your ability to read them can give you a second chance by changing the subject line or hook to reel the client in and entice them to give you a chance. When a potential client politely rejects your pitch, it is often a sign that the topic you sent is a poor fit for what they’re looking for.
Low pay rates
During instances when clients respond but offer low pay rates, it can be encouraging, but it is still short of the desired result. Take the good from these situations but realize that the lower pay is usually a sign that you’re approaching the incorrect target market.
Making adjustments
You have several adjustments you can try when you reach a point where changing your pitch is necessary. A foolproof way to proceed is by testing a new niche that you have pre-existing knowledge or experience in. This is especially effective if previous pitches were more broad in nature.
Another option worth trying is shortening the hook. A pitch that is too long is less likely to be read in its entirety. A concise but compelling pitch is a beautiful blend of easy to read but also clear about its point, leading to a higher likelihood of a positive response.
Warm leads can also give freelance writers a viable path toward effective adjustments. LinkedIn is an excellent starting point for identifying warm leads who may require the skills of a freelance writer. Odds are much higher of positive responses when working with warm leads versus cold leads.