BUSINESS DIRECTORY: EXAMPLE PITCH

Here’s an example pitch that resulted in a commission from Canal Boating Times.

Dear (Editor’s name),

It keeps him fit, it’s reduced his blood pressure, and he meets some amazing people. John Smith is seventy and a volunteer for the Canal & River Trust. I met him at a recent Trust open day, and we chatted about why he enjoys volunteering and the things he gets up to.

Would you be interested in an illustrated 1,000-word feature, called Helping Out, for your Waterways section, about volunteering for the Canal & River Trust, perhaps to coincide with National Volunteering Week, which takes place during the first week of June this year?

The article will:

• tell John’s story – why he volunteers, and what he gets out of it (he joined after his wife died, he loves meeting people – especially foreign tourists exploring our waterways, and loves the fact that this ‘old technology’ still works so well).

• explain to readers some of the other volunteering opportunities that exist with the Trust. (If the idea is of interest, I’ll approach the Head of Volunteering at the Canal and Rivers Trust for quotes on this subject.)

• include a boxout with contact details about how to volunteer, where to find more information, and volunteering opportunities in your area.

I’ve attached a couple of photos, which might be useful for illustration purposes if the idea is of interest.

Notice how this reveals why I’m the best person to write the piece (because I’ve met and interviewed John), which section of the publication I’m targeting (Waterways section), and which issue I think this is most appropriate for (first week in June). I’ve also stated where I’ll get more quotes from, and clarified that I can also supply photographs.