Photo courtesy of Michael (mx5tx)

This post is by WTD Chief Editor Mary Jaksch.

Hands up if you want to know a no-fail method of landing a guest post, magazine article, or perfect job? The key to success or failure is in the pitch.

It took me a while to realize that I’m really good at writing a pitch. I only got the message when blogger friends kept on responding with, “You landed a guest post THERE?!” or, “You’re in touch with HIM?!”  or, “You’ve been invited to write for HER?”  I took success for granted – which is one reason I’m good at pitching.

Many people see a pitch as an exercise in manipulation. That is, they focus on how to get the other person to do what they want. That attitude is sure to fail.

The key to a successful pitch is honesty and respect.

With your pitch you are building a bridge to another human being. And that bridge can only carry weight if it is built with integrity. Read more »