MC-Guide

Content Writing

Process 3: Pitching

This SOP named Pitching method is going to help you in your pitching process

This SOP will shows you, step by step, how a beginner can learn to pitch perfectly and follow up.

You will learn what information you should collect, how you can pitch and follow up.

Process 8 — Assignment & Negotiation (Connected to Process 1–7)

Content Writing Flow · Process 5/11 · Assignment & Negotiation

Process 5: Assignment & Negotiation (Turn “Yes” into Clear Terms)

In Process 4 you sent the pitch. Now you handle the reply like a professional. Your job is to lock the 5 essentials: scope, fee, deadline, rights, and invoice/payment. This process connects to your earlier work: Process 1 scope, and Process 3 outline.

1 Confirm scope 2 Confirm fee 3 Confirm deadline 4 Confirm rights 5 Confirm invoice 6 Send recap

🤝 Build your negotiation reply 🧾 Terms checklist ✅ Checklist

Pro rule: Do not start reporting until the assignment terms are clear.

Overview

What you’ll do in Process 5

You will respond to the editor and confirm the assignment in writing. This protects you and makes your work smoother.

Beginners worry negotiation is “rude.” It’s not rude. It’s standard, professional, and expected.

Beginner steps Terms checklist Reply builder Mistakes Checklist

Connection: Use your Process 1 to 3 as your “definition of done.” If the scope changes, update it.

Step-by-step

The beginner approach (6 assignment blocks)

Do these in order. You will sound calm, clear, and professional.

1Confirm the scope

Repeat the deliverable in one paragraph

Use your Process 6 deliverable block.
Confirm word count range + format + assets.
If they want changes, update scope now.

2Confirm fee

Ask directly (no drama)

“What fee are you offering for this assignment?”
If they offer low, ask for a better rate or reduce scope.
Always trade: more work = more fee.

3Confirm deadlines

Lock 2 dates

Outline due: (Process 3)
Draft due: (Upcoming Process 7)
If reporting is heavy, ask for more time.

4Confirm rights

Know what you’re selling

First rights / exclusive period / full buyout?
If unclear: ask, don’t guess.
Keep the email polite and simple.

5Confirm invoice & payment

How and when you get paid

Invoice method (portal/email).
Payment timeline (net 30, net 45, etc.).
Any required forms (tax, vendor setup).

6Send recap in writing

One “recap terms” email = clarity

Summarize: scope, fee, dates, rights, payment.
Ask: “Please confirm I captured this correctly.”
Now you can start Process 9 safely.

Beginner shortcut: If they push for more scope without more fee, say: “Happy to do that — should we adjust the fee, or keep the original scope?”

Terms

What to confirm (the 5 essentials)

This isn’t legal advice. It’s a simple writer’s checklist so you don’t get confused later.

Item	What you confirm	Connected to
Scope	Word count, format, assets, what is included/not included.	Process 1 + Upcoming Process 9
Fee	Exact amount + if it changes when scope changes.	Process 4 (pitch) → now
Deadline	Outline due + draft due + time zone.	Process 3 + pcoming Process 8
Rights	First rights / exclusivity period / buyout / reuse rules.	Submission package (Upcoming Process 9)
Payment	Invoice process, pay schedule, vendor setup.	Admin step

Professional line: “Just confirming the details so I deliver exactly what you expect.”

Tool

Assignment Recap Builder (reply like a pro)

This generates a calm, clean recap email + a scope-vs-fee negotiation option.

Process 5 Output Recap email + negotiation lines

Editor name (optional)

Publication

Desk / section

Working title

Scope (from Process 3 and Upcoming Process 9 Visual assets)

Fee (number)

Write the number only. Currency goes in the next field.

Currency

Outline due date

Draft due date

Rights (what they said / what you want to confirm)

Invoice & payment process

If scope changes, what’s your preference?

This generates a polite negotiation line.

Recap Email (copy-paste)

Fill fields and click Build recap email...

Tip: Keep the recap tight. One screen is perfect.

Good feeling: When you send a recap, you stop guessing. That makes your writing faster.

Avoid These

Common beginner mistakes (and the fix)

×Mistake: start early

Working before terms

Fix: send recap email first.

×Mistake: accept vague scope

“Just write it up”

Fix: confirm word count + assets + deliverables.

×Mistake: free extra work

More scope, same fee

Fix: trade scope ↔ fee.

×Mistake: no rights clarity

Portfolio confusion

Fix: confirm rights terms in writing.

Before Process 9

Checklist: are you cleared to start work?

Click to check. When done, move to Process 9 (Reporting & Production Sprint).

Scope confirmed: word count + format + assets are clear.

Fee confirmed: number + currency agreed.

Deadlines confirmed: outline date + draft date set.

Rights confirmed: you know what you can reuse and when.

Invoice process: you know where/how to invoice.

Recap sent: recap email sent + editor confirmed.

Next: Say Continue and I’ll create Process 9/11: Reporting & Production Sprint in the same connected style.