Contacting an editorial team to pitch a story or ask a question means identifying the right person, tailoring the message to the channel used, and following each outlet’s specific procedures. An email sent to the wrong department or a poorly structured message is likely to be ignored, regardless of how interesting the proposed story may be.
Contact page and legal notices: the checks no one makes before writing
Most editorial teams separate their channels according to the type of request. Reporting an error, pitching a story, asking a question about a published article, and making a request concerning personal data are handled by different departments. Sending an editorial pitch through a GDPR form or addressing a right of reply to a community manager delays processing—and may mean the message never gets a response.
Before getting in touch, two pages are worth reading in full: the contact page and the legal notices. The first lists email addresses by department (editorial, advertising, partnerships). The second identifies the publisher, the only appropriate contact for a right of reply or a formal correction request.
Some outlets also publish a corrections policy, specifying what they need to review a report: a link to the article, the disputed passage, and verifiable evidence. Ignoring these instructions forces the editorial team to sort things out itself, delaying the process. To contact BH Magazine, use the dedicated form, which routes your request directly to the right department.
How to structure a story pitch email to an editorial team
An effective story pitch email consists of three short sections. The first introduces the topic in one sentence, with a clear angle the editorial team could cover. The second explains why the topic is relevant now (current events, recent data, an upcoming event). The third lists available sources or contacts.
A short email always has more impact than a multi-page dossier. Journalists receive a considerable volume of untargeted pitches. A message with more than fifteen lines in the body of the email is unlikely to be read in full.
Three recurring mistakes undermine most pitches:
- Sending a generic press release with no editorial angle, hoping the editorial team will find the story in it.
- Failing to explain how the topic relates to current events or the target outlet’s readership, making the email look like a mass mailing.
- Attaching large files (PDFs, dossiers, videos) in the first message, before the editorial team has asked for anything.
The subject line is the first filter. It should state the topic and, if possible, include a factual detail. A subject line such as “Story pitch” with no further details will not stand out in an overflowing inbox.
Right of reply and correction request: two different procedures
Confusing a right of reply with a correction request is a common mistake. A right of reply allows you to publish your version of events in response to an article. It does not remove the disputed content. A correction request concerns a factual error and may result in the article being amended, sometimes with a note indicating that a correction has been made.
To exercise a right of reply online, the message must be sent to the publisher, whose details can be found in the legal notices. The applicable legal deadline runs from the date the article is published online. Using a generic contact form does not constitute valid legal notice.
Editorial teams with a formal process generally ask for:
- The exact link to the article in question.
- The specific passage being challenged, quoted verbatim.
- Factual evidence that can be used to verify the alleged error (a document, source, or identified witness).
A request for outright removal follows a different process, often a legal one. A right of reply never results in the original article being removed.
Secure channel for sensitive information
If a proposed story involves confidential information or could put the source at risk, the first message should not contain any compromising details. Its sole purpose is to arrange a secure channel of communication with the journalist.
Several editorial teams explicitly list on their contact pages which tools they accept for secure communications. Failing to check this before sending a sensitive document by regular email exposes the source without any guarantee of confidentiality.
The best approach is to send a brief initial message describing the nature of the story without revealing identifying details, then explicitly ask for a secure channel. The journalist will then confirm the appropriate method of communication based on the sensitivity of the information.
Following up after making contact
When to follow up, depending on the outlet
Following up the day after your first email shows little understanding of a newsroom’s working pace. A week is a reasonable interval for an online outlet, and longer for a magazine published monthly.
What to include in your follow-up
Refer to the original subject and add something new: a recent development that strengthens the angle, an additional contact who is available, or data published since your first email. A follow-up that simply asks, “Did you receive my email?” adds nothing and takes up space in the inbox.
No response after two follow-ups sent a reasonable time apart does not mean the story lacks interest. Editorial teams prioritize pitches according to their publishing schedules and current priorities. A story that is turned down today may become relevant three months later if current events bring it back into focus. Keeping a record of your pitches, including dates and outlets contacted, makes it easier to follow up at the right time without starting from scratch.
