The best pitching technique (application process) is only as good as its results/ proximity to the desired results.

A good (refined) pitch is one that significantly increases your chances of getting a positive feedback from the people/ agency/ institution you pitch.

Pitching refers to the process of sending an application to a potential client for writing or other services, and it requires meticulous planning and execution as illustrated in this post

My Best Pitching Technique Worked for Thrive Global

A few days into July 2018, I found myself dancing after one of my posts was published at Thrive Global. You can understand my enthusiasm if you have attempted to pitch someone/ an institution/ platform you hold in utmost regard, and s/he / they recognized you.

You can also understand my gratitude to everyone (I could not even exhaust the list) who has, in one way or another, contributed to my writing and growth.

Not to say that I have been pitching up and down (I need to do a better job) but I did submit my content and got published by Thrive Global.

Three weeks later, my list of published posts on Thrive Global has grown to four out of the five posts I submitted.

How Did My Best Pitching Technique Look Like?

NOW, iron sharpens iron; we learn from each other. I have learnt from many people and I combined multiple strategies to come up with a winning pitching technique.

Though my experience is limited (I plan on improving this), and since some people have been asking, I can share a tip or two.

My best pitching technique lies in doing due diligence; learning about the platform and the people behind that platform to understand what appeals to them as explained in the next section.

Whether pitching Thrive Global, other global platforms, individuals or physical entities, it is important to have a BASIC (I usually go overboard) understanding so that you can tailor your pitch accordingly.

Know Who They Are, hence, How To Pitch Them

If you have not heard about The Huffington Post, where have you been?

Just kidding, you probably have reasons why you haven’t come across The Huffington Post. I, certainly, have – many times -.

In fact, it is one of my most favourite websites; an authority (for me) when it comes to information.

I am sure we all know of blogs/ sites that spin the most outrageous and false narrative – so I cannot be faulted for verifying any information I come across. I use my trusted sources for the verification of data.

One of my all-time favourite posts on The Huffington Post, Mind Your Own Womb by Nadirah Angail, was published in 2016 and it runs true today in multiple spheres of a person’s life; not just the child-bearing status.

OK, I am going off-topic.

Why should you know who you are pitching?

As I was saying, The Huffington Post was founded by Arianna Huffington – I am in total awe of her -. She is also the founder and CEO of Thrive Global on which I have had four posts published already.

Did I wake up one day with the knowledge of Arianna Huffington?

Of course not. I did not magically know about Arianna. However, being a reader and researcher, I came across the Huffington name severally.

More often than not, I seek to know the personas behind some of the beautiful literal works I come across because I have a few young blogs that I want do great in the future. In my quest to know the genius behind The Huffington Post I came across Arianna Huffington. I am a dreamer so, naturally, I wanted to know more about her and what I could do today and in the next few years to have my blogs doing a fraction well as Arianna’s.

Arianna Huffington into my Limelight: Remarkable Freelance Freelance Writers in Africa on Facebook

In March 2017, I came across an interesting Facebook Post by another Icon of mine, Walter Akolo in one of his Facebook Groups – Remarkable Freelancer Writers in Kenya. The post was by another Internet guru – Bamidele Onibalusi –  and it was a challenge on how to make money $1000 working online – specifically through Cold Pitching. Needless to say, the post had expired by over a year, but it sparked something in me.

I set out to start the challenge alone; follow the resources that Bamidele provided on his website, as well as follow different people and groups where the Challenge had been run.

That was the first time the thought of getting an own blog (in the next couple of months the blogs/ websites increased) was conceived.

 Towards My Best Pitching Technique: New Beginnings

The birth of the blogs/ websites was part of the journey – creating an online presence, getting more social proof – which I would then use to reach out to potential customers (in the manner of pitching), thereby creating a source of income.

Long story short

Thrive Global popped up severally from the people who had submitted their content and gotten published. It is quite pleasant to be published by such a significant worldwide website; great proof of writing skills.

I had a lot on my plate and I also wanted to understand Thrive Global, Arianna, content on Thrive Global, etc. so that when my time came, I would do a relevant post. A few weeks ago, I finally submitted my first post to Thrive Global.

How Should Your Best Pitching Technique Look Like?

1. Have a plan for what you want to do and why you want to do it.
2. If number 1 involves pitching someone/ company, take time to do your due diligence; learn as much as possible about the niche/ personality, etc of your-to-be pitch target. It may take times (ok, let’s be truthful, it takes TIME) but you will thank yourself later.
3. Take time to craft the perfect a pitch. My strategy involves brainstorming; writing ideas fast as they flow, putting the work away for some time (sometimes I take a few days or weeks), and revisiting my draft and reading it as I edit accordingly. My mind and eye will be in a position to detect areas that need rephrasing, deletion, addition, etc.
4. Read and RE-READ your work to polish grammar.
5. Submit your work; check your final product against the checklist/ guidelines of the platform where you want to submit your work
6. Wait for a response
7. You can follow up after a week or so depending n the platform you submitted your work.

Work Smarter not Necessarily Harder

What is that saying about working smarter?

It is better to spend your time sharpening an axe and use minimal effort cutting a tree instead of wasting much time and energy cutting a tree with a blunt axe?

The best pitching technique will be determined by it’s result; take your time to make the necessary preparations so that your pitch is impeccable.

Is it worth using your best pitching technique for non-paying Gigs

I say, ABSOLUTELY.  Some platforms, whether paying or not, give you great perks when they accept your carefully-crafted pitch. Platforms like Thrive Global give you …

1. You, yes YOU, get published. Getting published on Thrive Global shows great social proof to your future writing clients (or other clients) of your writing or niche-specific expertise.
2. There is always an audience for every content. There are people who will be inspired, consoled, motivated, validated, etc. by your content.

Let me know what your best pitching techniques are in the comments sections below