WCP177 A new answer to “Why now?”

Usually when I’ve left a news hook out of a pitch, it was because I couldn’t come up with one easily, and hoped for the best. After all, there are evergreen stories out there. I’ve read and sold a few myself. Maybe you have too. I’ve tried slapping on a thin hook, which sometimes does the trick. And I’ve had some evergreen ideas linger in my ideas folder for a long time, and eventually a news item would come up that was a good fit, making it salable.  But I started to wonder about speeding up the process to improve my pitch acceptance rate. What would happen if I started with the news, rather than adding it on? As it turns out, using current events to spark feature ideas is a twofer. You get an idea that hasn’t been done to death, plus an integral answer to that timeless question, Why now? Basically, instead of grasping around for a news hook or settling for one that’s a bit of a stretch, it’s the first thing you consider. 🔗 Mentioned in this episode:  Modern Journalist Toolkit 19: Video of today’s episode WCP 167 Organic tomatoes vs. Twinkies 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 ❤️ 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. ✏️ Work with me in Freelance Writer Bootcamp Break into your dream publications and get paid well while covering stories that matter. Alumni have broken into the New York Times, the Guardian, Bustle, Fodor’s, Ms., Nat Geo Travel, Al Jazeera, the BBC, and many more.  Join the waitlist and you’ll be the first to hear when applications open, plus get access to an early bird bonus: www.FreelanceWriterBootcamp.com 🔥 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 More info and complete show notes: www.rebeccalweber.com/podcast177