WCP226 Exhume your lede

The Writing Coach Podcast with Rebecca L. Weber

It’s common for the lede to get buried in the draft (and sometimes final) article.

In pitches, it can happen twofold: first there’s a tendency to take up a half a screen of nonessential small talk (“Hope you’re well”), and then even in what is supposedly the main pitch, there’s often excessive background and context.

All of this may make you, the freelance writer, feel more comfortable. But it also means that the real focus of your story remains buried, and effectively unavailable to your editor and their readers. Let’s exhume your story.

🔗 Mentioned in this episode:

WCP 182 Archives: Annoying pitches

WCP 155 Why your pitch is too long

WCP 1 What’s your problem?

🎁 Download my free guide on how to pitch freelance article ideas, “5 Proven Steps to Writing Queries that Sell.”

www.rebeccalweber.com/howtopitch

⭐ Support the Writing Coach Podcast by writing a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Let other writers know why you listen.

❤️ Share the podcast with other writers via your social media accounts or email newsletter, or leave a comment on my Instagram or Facebook feeds.

🎧 Listen and subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

📸 Follow me on Instagram @FreelanceWriterBootcamp

🔥 Work with me 1:1

Private coaching is for the writer who wants a personalized agenda and transformative breakthroughs. You’ll experience new clarity about what’s been holding you back and choose new patterns of thinking and behavior to propel you forward toward your writing goals.

Apply for private writer coaching: www.rebeccalweber.com/coach

✏️ Work with me in Freelance Writer Bootcamp

Break into your dream publications and get paid well while covering stories that matter. Alumni of my group coaching program have used the proven Bootcamp processes to break into the New York Times, the Guardian, Bustle, Fodor’s, Ms., Nat Geo Travel, Al Jazeera, the BBC, and many more.

Apply now for the next session: www.FreelanceWriterBootcamp.com

📝 More info and complete show notes: www.rebeccalweber.com/podcast226