In the space of just one evening, Toby Moses, head of newsletters and former deputy opinion editor at the Guardian, will teach you everything from how to write the perfect pitch email to an editor, to how to increase your chances of getting recommissioned, in this practical and informative online workshop.

Toby will use his vast reserves of experience and enthusiasm to demystify the whole process of communicating with commissioning editors, enabling you to spend less time fretting over your pitches – and more time writing.

You will have the opportunity to develop your own pitches in breakaway groups, based on your learnings during the session, which Toby will then provide feedback on. This is an unmissable opportunity for anyone looking to use this time to add to or sharpen those journalism tools.

Course Content

• The opportunities for new voices to emerge
• Different article formats: comment pieces, features and news stories
• Turning your idea into a pitch email
• How to research different publications and tailor your proposal
• The essential elements of a good pitch document
• Advice on making your proposal intriguing and persuasive
• The three questions all good pitches must answer
• Best practice for contacting commissioning editors
• How to sell your idea – and yourself
• Tips on how to improve your chances of getting recommissioned
• Common mistakes and pitfalls to avoid
• Practical exercises, including a session where you write a pitch with other attendees, to be critiqued by Toby
• Q&A: a fantastic opportunity to pick the brains of a former Guardian commissioning editor

This course is for ...

• Freelance journalists who wants to improve their chances of getting more commissions
• Anyone who writes a blog and wants advice on how to get published in traditional media
• Aspiring journalists who are new to pitching, or have encountered multiple rejections for their ideas in the past
• Anyone who works for an NGO, lobby group or similar and wants to submit pieces to editors to promote a cause that’s important to them.

Tutor Profile

Toby Moses is head of newsletters at the Guardian, and formerly the deputy opinion editor. He has worked at the Observer, the Guardian, the Times and the Mail on Sunday since 2005, across opinion, lifestyle, features, technology and sport.

You will be sent a link to the webinar 2hr before the start time of 6.30pm (GMT).

Course Details

• Date: Thursday 25 November 2021
• Time: 6.30pm-9pm (BST)

6.30pm GMT | 7.30pm CET | 10.30am PT | 1.30pm ET

This masterclass is available globally. If you are joining us from outside the United Kingdom, please use this time zone converter to check your local live streaming time.

You will be sent a link to the webinar two hrs before the start time. Please email masterclasses@theguardian.com if you have not received the access link within one hour of the scheduled start time.

All Guardian Masterclasses are fully accessible but please contact us at masterclasses@theguardian.com if you have any queries or concerns.

Full course and returns information on the Masterclasses website

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