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How to Pitch:
Body+Soul
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How to Pitch: Body+Soul
Help readers "enhance their lives in a
satisfying way," and you'll find your bank
account enhanced, thanks to this mag's sweet
pay scale
By Peggy Bourjaily – March 1, 2007
Circulation: 384,000
Frequency: 8 issues annually; The magazine
publishes double issues in January/February,
April/May, July/August and November/December
Special issues: None
Background: Formerly New Age Journal, Martha
Stewart Living Omnimedia purchased Body+Soul
in 2005. The magazine's mission is "to encourage
and inspire people to lead balanced and authentic
lives; to find new and innovative ways to support
their values, and take care of themselves and the
planet," senior editor Hillary Geronemus says.
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Body+Soul's readership primarily consists of
college-educated women between 25 and 55 years old. The reader profile is based
on psychographic, or psychological factors, rather than demographic ones. "Our
readers are conscious of their purchases, aiming for organic and natural products,"
Geronemus notes. "They are actively engaged in their health, they care about
leading a sustainable and healthy lifestyle, and they're looking for ways to enhance
their lives in a satisfying way."
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The environment is close to the hearts of the magazine's readers, so it's a central
theme in Body+Soul. Geronemus stresses that the importance of the environment
and whole health "go hand in hand. I think the readers who are interested in their
own well being are also very interested in supporting the environment and making
more conscious choices in their lives."
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What to pitch: Body+Soul is
organized into six main sections:
RELATED:
"Green Living," "Rejuvenate," "Eat
All "How to Pitch" Features
Well," "Balanced Fitness," "Whole
Health," and "Inner Growth." There are
four or five, 1500- to 3000-word
features, and approximately six shorter articles (250 to 1200 words) open to
freelancers in each issue.
Geronemus and her fellow editors see pitches as an introduction to the writer. She
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indicates that, if the writer makes a good impression, they might assign a story
different than the original pitch. Geronemus uses "the pitch to see what kind of
writer the person is, and what their thought process is in developing the story." A
writer needs to be able to break down a story. "Show flexibility, knowledge of the
topic, and know who the leading sources and experts are that are a good fit for
Body+Soul, and put that together in a well thought out pitch," she says. A pitch
needs to be about more than just the idea at hand. The editors want a writer to
think about and offer ideas for sidebars.
The editors are always looking for new angles and news hooks on broader topics.
Being specific in the pitch, but broader in the topic, is an important distinction for
Geronemus. A recent pitch that Body+Soul's health editor Tania Hannan showed
Geronemus demonstrates what they are seeking. "It was broken down into very
specific details: 'This is what the story will cover;' 'This is a good idea for the
sidebar;' 'These are the things I would ask;' 'These are the people I would talk to.'
Be very specific as far as how the story would work, but not too specific as far as
the topic. For example, we wouldn't want a story idea on toe fungus, but we would
want a story that offers a new take on heart health," Geronemus explains. Model
pitches after stories that have appeared in the magazine.
A great place to start out, especially if you are a new freelancer, is the
front-of-book "Whole Living" section. Geronemus says this five to seven page
section contains "the smaller news items that show you understand what the
magazine is all about. [Your pitch] has to have a really strong reason for being
there." Look for "trends in the world of what we do, great and innovative tips for
living a healthier and more balanced life, and interesting people, the movers and
shakers of the industry, to profile," she says.
What not to pitch: Geronemus discourages pitching the "Eat Well" section
because it focuses on generally familiar foods, and the recipes are all created by
the magazine staff. "It's hard for someone to pitch me onions or strawberries,
because I already know that they are good for you," Geronemus says. She also
advises freelancers to avoid the "Rejuvenate" section unless you really "have your
pulse on the natural beauty world. Most of those stories are done by our beauty
editor."
Another no-no is personal growth stories unless, Geronemus stresses, it's framed
"as a way into a broader topic. Don't pitch the super specific topics that only reach
out to 1 percent of our readers."
Recent freelance stories pitched and published: Recently, two travel
pitches made the cut. The first, coming in April 2007, features urban green hotels.
The second, on newsstands in June, focuses on river vacations that help readers
"gain a greater perspective on life, go with the flow, and let life unfold."
Etiquette: Either email or snail mail with three published clips attached is the
way to go. The editors are super busy, so follow up, but not too aggressively. As
one of Geronemus' colleagues says, "Be a squeaky wheel, but not too squeaky."
Lead time: Eight to nine months
Pay rate: $1-1.50, depends on the story and writer experience
Payment schedule: On acceptance
Kill fee: 20 percent
Rights purchased: Body+Soul owns exclusive rights
Contact info:
Body+Soul magazine
42 Pleasant Street
Watertown, MA 02472
www.bodyandsoulmag.com
FirstInitialLastName@bodyandsoulmag.com
For "Health," deputy editor, Health Tania Hannan: thannan@bodyandsoulmag.com
For "Travel," "Spa," "Food" and "Whole Living," senior editor Hillary Geronemus:
hgeronemus@bodyandsoulmag.com
For "Inner Growth" and "Fitness," associate editor Terri Trespicio:
ttrespicio@bodyandsoulmag.com
For "Green Living," assistant editor Josie Garthwaite:
jgarthwaite@bodyandsoulmag.com
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