I work in a B2B environment where pitching to prospective buyers is an essential tool. No reason why it shouldn't be the same when hoping to open the purse strings of potential editors.
First identify those most likely to welcome contribution. There's no point in throwing mud at the wall and hoping some of it will stick. Then telephone to politely say who you are, and then ask who is the best person to address your proposal to?
Without too much clutter a brief letter to the named person (much better than 'The Feature Editor') introducing yourself and setting out your proposal. Try to stick to one paragraph.
In sales you have to be perceptive. There's two that are very important. 'People don't buy products, they buy people.' So get the recipient to like you. Don't be too formal. The other favourite is K.I.S.S (keep it simple, stupid).
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