One-Paragraph Pitch Email
A simple framework to write short, skimmable pitch emails editors can read in 10 seconds — and say “yes” to. Perfect for pitching WIRED-style stories, guest posts, and client content ideas.
Use this page as a mini control panel: pick a story → fill four boxes → paste into one clean paragraph.
What is a one-paragraph pitch email?
A one-paragraph pitch email is exactly what it sounds like: one short paragraph where you share your idea, show you can deliver it, and ask for a clear next step. No long life story. No multi-page proposal.
Editors at places like WIRED.com and similar outlets scan their inbox fast. A clean, one-paragraph pitch lets them understand your idea, see the fit, and decide “yes/no/not now” in under 10 seconds.
The 4 building blocks inside one paragraph
Every one-paragraph pitch you send can follow this simple pattern: Hook → Context → Proof → Ask. You’re not just being polite; you’re making it very easy for editors to work with you.
Hook — one sentence that grabs attention
Open with a clear, specific idea, not a vague topic. Think of this as your “headline in one sentence”.
- Point to a surprising problem or tension.
- Use concrete language instead of buzzwords.
- Hint at why this matters right now.
Context — where the story is happening
Add one or two short details that show where this story lives: which people, places, platforms, or industries.
- Who is affected most directly?
- Where are you seeing this? (cities, companies, online spaces)
- Why is now the right time to publish this?
Proof — show you can deliver the story
You don’t need a huge CV. Just show you’ve done some homework and can report or explain this properly.
- Mention 1–2 sources you’ve spoken to or can access.
- Note any data, examples, or experience you already have.
- Include one relevant link if it helps.
Ask — the simple, specific next step
Close with a clear ask. Editors are busy; don’t make them guess what you want.
- Offer a word count and section you have in mind.
- Suggest a deadline for outline or draft.
- Ask a yes/no question they can answer quickly.
Use one-paragraph pitches to earn from editors & clients
When you write for editorial sites, magazines, or brands, your income depends on how often your ideas turn into assignments. One-paragraph pitches help you:
- Send more pitches, faster Instead of one long email per week, you can send 3–5 short, sharp pitches to different editors and clients.
- Make decisions easy Editors only need to answer: “Yes, send more detail” or “Not right now”. That clarity speeds up both rejections and approvals.
- Reuse the same structure everywhere Once you learn Hook → Context → Proof → Ask, you can reuse it for guest posts, client content, newsletters, and landing pages.
- It respects their time and inbox.
- It shows you know how to edit yourself, not just write long.
- It gives them everything they need to imagine the final piece quickly.
That’s exactly the kind of writer they can trust with more paid assignments.
Workflow: How to use this framework in your day
➊ Choose a story idea → ➋ Fill the 4 boxes above → ➌ Join them into one paragraph → ➍ Send to an editor or client → ➎ Repeat 3–5 times a week.
Next, you’ll see a full one-paragraph pitch example you can copy and adapt for your own topics.
Demo: One-paragraph pitch email for a WIRED-style story
Suppose you want to pitch a piece on how shopping apps quietly collect emotional data from our “mood-based” purchases.
Step 1: Quick notes in the four boxes
- Hook: Shopping apps are quietly tracking not just what we buy, but how we feel when we buy it.
- Context: Focus on late-night “treat yourself” orders, breakup shopping, and stress purchases during big news cycles.
- Proof: Interviews with shoppers + UX designers; examples from major apps that nudge people at emotional moments; early research on “affect-based” spending.
- Ask: A 1,800–2,000 word reported feature for a tech & culture section, with delivery in 2–3 weeks.
Hi [Editor Name], I’d like to pitch a reported feature about how major shopping apps are quietly tracking not just what we buy, but how we feel when we buy it — from “treat yourself” midnight orders to breakup shopping and stress purchases during big news cycles. I’m seeing apps gently nudge users toward comfort buys at moments when they’re most emotionally off balance, and I’ve already spoken with shoppers who recognise the pattern, along with UX designers who admit they’re asked to design for “emotional readiness to spend”. I can also bring in early research on affect-based spending and concrete examples from popular apps your readers already use. If this fits your tech and culture coverage, I’d love to write this as a 1,800–2,000 word story, and can send a short outline and source list within a few days.
That’s the whole email: greeting, one paragraph, and a friendly close. You can paste a short sign-off under it with your name and one-line bio.
Fill-in-the-blank templates for one-paragraph pitch emails
Use these templates as a starting point. Replace each [bracketed text] with your own idea, editor, and details.
Template · One-paragraph pitch for a reported feature
Template · One-paragraph pitch for a guide or service piece
Template · One-paragraph pitch for a client content idea
- Pick one idea per day and fill one template.
- Keep each pitch between 120–160 words.
- Save them in a “Pitch Bank” so you can send or reuse them later.
Over a few weeks, you’ll have a ready-made library of ideas you can send to editors and clients without starting from a blank page.
Checklist: Is your one-paragraph pitch ready?
Run this quick checklist before you send any one-paragraph pitch email. It keeps your ideas tight, respectful, and easy to say “yes” to.
- One idea: I’m pitching one clear story, not three different directions in one email.
- Length: The paragraph is roughly 120–160 words, not a second article.
- Hook: The first sentence contains a concrete tension, question, or promise — no vague buzzwords.
- Proof: I mention at least one reason the editor can trust me to deliver this story (sources, experience, research).
- Ask: I end with a simple, specific next step the editor can answer with “yes / no / later”.
- Respect: My tone is friendly, confident, and short — respectful of their inbox and time.
With a bit of practice, this will become automatic: every time you think “I have an idea”, your brain will start shaping it into one paragraph that editors and clients can actually say “yes” to.