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"If the writer doesn’t respond, try a different one. But only one at a time — they won’t like you if you give the same story to their competitor. " What is a g
by thekevan 15y ago
"If the writer doesn’t respond, try a different one. But only one at a time — they won’t like you if you give the same story to their competitor. "
What is a good amount of time to wait between contacting writers? Or how much time has to pass without a response for you to to decide to move on to the next one?
- pud 15y agoI usually figure they're not interested if I haven't heard back in 2 or 3 days. Sometimes I wait a bit longer if the writer is very well known, and therefore more deluged.
- Shamiq 15y agoDefinitely leaving that last piece up to our collective imaginations...
- deleted 15y ago[deleted]
- jkincaid 15y ago(TC writer here) I'd say send an email, and if you don't get a response in 1-2 days send one more saying that if you don't hear back in the next 24 hours you'll probably try your luck elsewhere. Don't be threatening about it (the reporter doesn't owe you anything), just be transparent. Setting a 'time limit' like this helps makes sure you don't end up on the reporter's mental backburner indefinitely. Of course, if the reporter is super swamped this may lead them to simply pass on the story. But usually if it's good, they'll try to find another writer who can take it.
- paraschopra 15y agoIncidentally, I just did the same thing to you :) Had emailed you yesterday, no luck. Sent a gentle reminder to you again a couple of hours back. Still no reply, but keeping my fingers crossed :) PS: seriously, though, sometimes I wonder whether journalists get my emails or it simply ends up getting into the spam box. Sadly, there is no way to know for sure.
- RealGeek 15y agoI would rather expect to hear a no than waiting indefinitely. Why can't journalists simply say no for a story? I understand they are flooded with emails, but a one word no would suffice.
- lawnchair_larry 15y agoHow do I bait you?