The Perfect Timing: When to Pitch Your Golden Ideas to Editors

Tick-tock.

No, this isn't about the app — we're talking about pitching your fantastic ideas to editors.

Timing is everything; sending a pitch to an editor is no exception.

Let's dive into some clock-watching and increase your chances of success.

The Early Bird and the Worm

Many editors are known to be early risers, tackling their inboxes with a cup of coffee (or tea, depending on their preference) in hand.

Aim to send your pitch early, between 6 AM and 9 AM.

The bonus?

You're among the first emails they see, and your pitch stands a higher chance of being considered. Just make sure you adjust for time zones if you're pitching to an editor in a different part of the world.

Mid-Week Magic

Mondays are notorious for overflowing inboxes, while Fridays can be too close to the weekend. Unsurprisingly, pitches sent during this period might get buried in the inbox.

In this case, it might be a good idea to target those mid-week spots: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

These mid-week days usually have a more manageable email flow, increasing the likelihood of your pitch being read and noticed.

Avoid the Holiday Rush

Holidays, long weekends, or any time off is a no-no when pitching.

Editors are human, too, and they deserve a break.

Respect their time off and avoid sending pitches during these periods. Instead, wait for the holiday rush to die down, and then make your move.

When the Editor Is Most Active

Get your detective hat on.

Notice when these editors post most on Twitter, LinkedIn, or Instagram; noticing their online routing a few days (we wouldn't call this stalking) might help you determine when they are online and responsive.

Send your pitches during these periods to maximize your chances of being noticed and read.

No One Formula For All

The above tips do well as general guidelines, but each editor is unique. Customize your approach to suit their preferences, work schedules, and habits.

Experiment with different times and days until you find the sweet spot that works best for the specific editor you're targeting. And this will take a lot of rejections and hopefully some sweet acceptance emails too.

So, that was it — the recipe for timing your pitches right.

Now, grab a timer (or trust your intuition), and start drafting those winning pitches.

And hey! Remember to return to Byline Blueprint for more insider tips and tricks.