The Creative Connection

Your Experts Are:
Christen Olivarez – Director of Publishing, Stampington
Janine Vangool – Creator  & Editor-in-Chief, UpperCase
MaryJane Butters – Creator & Editor-In-Chief, MaryJanesFarm

Amy Powers ~ Inspire Co.

Your Roundtable Participants Include:
Amanda Fortini – freelance writer for The New Yorker
Leslie Shewring – contributing writer for Stampington
Rebekah Teal – contributing writer to MaryJanesFarm

Presenting Your Pitch:

1. All materials must be created in an electronic format and submitted to Brandy Shay –  brandy@thecreativeconnectionevent.com – by September 5th. This presentation will then be forwarded to each of the Experts and Roundtable Participants to review and have with them during your presentation.
2. You may bring to the Pitch a printed copy of your materials for each Expert and Roundtable Participant to strengthen your presentation.

Pitch Contents:

1. An Introduction to “you” that will include a brief and concise biography. As a guideline for your Introduction, you may use Form #1 below.
2. Brief and concise overview of your proposed article. As a guideline, you may use Form #2 below.
3. If you are pitching a craft/product or home décor concept for placement in a magazine, present a visual illustration of your concept. This could be a drawing, photograph, or small three-dimensional representation.

REMEMBER: You only have 3 minutes, which equals approximately 400 words. Keep your pitch concise and focused.

Form #1 for Introduction:

Using one page for your written introduction, please include the following information in the order listed:

1. Date
2. Full name
3. Company name, if applicable
4. Contact information
5. Biography – 150-175 words

Guidelines for Writing Your Biography

Your biography establishes your credibility to editors. Be sure to include any publishing experience you have. If you haven’t been published, what is your professional expertise, education, life experience, or other compelling qualification that makes you the best person to write this article, or have your concept featured in a magazine? And, please let us know if you have a social media presence; for example, are you on Twitter and/or Facebook? If so, how many people follow you on Twitter, and how many fans or friends do you have on Facebook?

Your written biography should be no longer than two paragraphs, or 150-175 words.

In the pitch, your introduction should be no longer than 50-75 words. That equals two to three sentences. Whittle down what’s most important for the pitch and practice reciting it.

Form #2 for Product or Design Placement/Article Overview:

Using one single-spaced page for your written Overview, include the following information:

1. Brief and concise description of your article idea. Get familiar with the magazines represented by the Experts on this panel to ensure your idea fits within the parameters of their publications. Is your idea seasonal? Does it expand upon similar ideas captured in these magazines?  (150-175 words)
2. Brief and concise explanation of how your article is unique, who your target market/audience is, and why your ideas meet an underserved or unmet niche in magazine publishing. (150-175 words)

In the pitch, your overview will be 300-350 words. Practice delivering the overview aloud, along with your introduction, to keep within the three-minute time limit. Shorten if necessary.

Winners: