Clare Zulkey interviews a "senior editor at a large circulation magazine" about what freelancers should and should not do when submitting freelance pitches in an article entitled, "What would Tina do?" Some tips:
· "If you have little birdies or flowers or kittens on your return-address sticker, it may take me a couple of years to get around to opening the envelope."
· "If I like your idea, or think it shows promise, I'm going to Google you. Just thought you might like to know. And if your cover letter screams out Cuckoo! Cuckoo!, I'm also going to Google you, if I get a minute, just for the hell of it."
· "If I receive something from you sent via Fedex or Airborne Express, I'm going to wait at least three days before opening it. I don't know why. I'm not saying it's right. That's just how it is."
· "If you're currently serving time in a penal institution, the chances are slim that we're going to assign you that Jennifer Aniston profile... although, come to think of it, it's probably not such a bad idea."
[Ed.Anyone want to play "guess the senior editor?"]
What would Tina do? [MediaBistro]