freelancers - pitch idea first, or write story THEN pitch?

[mel]

Hi, I am a relatively new freelancer and I am wondering how best to approach things. I have been pitching story ideas and then writing up if the pitch is accepted. However I am wondering if anyone finds it a more successful approach to write up a story first, then pitch the idea and say that the story has been written and is ready to be used (or amended to spec). I wonder if this would be an extra carrot on the stick for pressurised editors, to be told something is ready for them? 
Also I wouldn't usually be keen to send a finished article over with a pitch before any undertaking to use it is given, but I wondered if anyone does that and finds it gets them work?

Thanks

[gordon_cairns]

Surely it's a big risk to do all of your research and interviews, then write the story and find no one wants to buy it? How often are your pitches successful? If anything less than 100% then you would be missing days of earning potential writing up work which would never be read.
I often find that an editor may like an idea but wants  a different slant on it, which again means more work for nothing.

[lee_stevens]

I would echo what gordon says. Your main objective should be to get your idea on paper and pitched to editors of the relevant publications. If  an editor likes your idea, s/he will brief you on exactly what s/he wants, you can't go wrong that way. Be clear and succinct and with any luck, you should get a response.

[lyte86]

It is, of course, safer to do what's being suggested here.  However, if you pitch a story to a national desk, you'll usually find they want to wait and actually read your work before committing to any particular fee.  If they know and trust you, it might be different - but as a newbie, you're an unknown risk.

I work for an independent agency, and a large proportion, perhaps the majority, of what we do is 'on spec'.  Through experience, you get a feel for what sort of thing is going to make and what isn't.  If they don't bite, you can usually use the same piece and fall back on the local rag for that area.

[Matt]

I would go along with what has been written above. No point in writing a story if nobody is going to buy it (unless it's some labour of love).

Also keep in my editors, especially newspaper editors, just don't have the time to read an entire article. I work for newspapers and generally pitch the three top paragraphs of a story; they should tell the reader what the story is about and why they should carry on reading. I also pitch over the phone from time to time but I can only do that because I have a fairly decent working relationship with the editor.

[EmilieG]

I've been wondering about the best way to do this as well. This sounds like good advice. Would anyone be able to tell me of a resource which lists editors names and email addresses or does everyone just do this the hard way and look up specific publications and thier editors? I'm moving to Germany now so if there are any listings in Berlin and Hamburg for English speaking publications that would be a great help too!

[lee_stevens]

I've been wondering about the best way to do this as well. This sounds like good advice. Would anyone be able to tell me of a resource which lists editors names and email addresses or does everyone just do this the hard way and look up specific publications and thier editors?

There are many books out there that will help you with this type of research. I use 'Writers' & Artists Yearbook'. A book most writers either use or would recommend. The 2012  edition should be released shortly, so I suggest you regularly check websites for its release. It will also be found in all good bokshops.

[EmilieG]

Oh great, thank you so much for the advice! That sounds like exactly what I need. I'm brand new to freelancing and have started writing for a couple of publications but without pay so far. Thanks again for your help!