Pitching ideas is insulting to many seasoned writers

Pitch has many definitions

The word "Pitch" has several definitions, which include.

1. To throw a ball for a batter to try to hit.
2. The quality of a sound governed by the rate of vibrations producing it; the degree of highness or lowness of a tone.
3. The black sticky substance used to patch a roof
4. The steepness of a roof, is often called the pitch
5. Pitch black or black as pitch describes the darkness of night without any light comparing it to the substance used on a roof.
6. A form of words used when trying to persuade someone to buy or accept something.

To pitch or not to pitch?

The fifth definition is the one that will be discussed in this article. A few years ago, I wrote for a company that produced soap opera spoilers. Whenever I had an idea, I needed to submit a "pitch." The site owner could either accept or reject my pitch, and sometimes it took days to receive a response, which I found frustrating.

This was the first time I encountered this method related to creating online content. Sometimes while waiting for an answer I found a similar idea had been written by others so that by the time mine was approved it was old news.

Pitching ideas has become the new norm, and many writers say they find it both insulting and counterproductive. While it may be the direction the industry is heading, some writers say they refuse to accept this but we may one day have no choice.

Creators have many challenges

I started my online writing career with Blasting News and the Yahoo Contributor Network, where my articles were readily accepted. I also contributed to Vocal Media, HubPages, NewsBreak, plus four or five other platforms that are now defunct. All of them allowed contributors to publish their work freely within each site's guidelines.

Most recently, NewsBreak deactivated the accounts of numerous contributors, leaving us all scrambling for new outlets. NewsBreak distributed articles, so the writers did not have to promote their own work.

I’ve come across Patch.com and a Wikimedia-run site, but neither offers any monetary compensation. Who wants to write for free on the chance that one day, months from now, they may or may not get paid?

Paid subscriptions are gaining popularity

Other options, like Substack, only pay if you have paid subscribers, and on Medium, only a portion of your article is visible unless a paid subscriber is reading. The General public's views don't count.

HubPages has slashed its CPM from about $3.00 per thousand views down to roughly $1.00. The online writing landscape is daunting and disheartening. I don't want to settle for a system that forces me to pitch ideas that could be rejected. This is a waste of creative time.

Pitching ideas is not for every writer

Life is challenging for content creators who find fewer platforms where they can express their creativity and write from the heart. It seems that the current mindset often takes advantage of writers, expecting them to produce work for free or to pitch ideas without compensation.

Starting a blog, monetizing it, and building a following takes time, all while bills continue to pile up. I understand that concerns about fake news, plagiarism, and AI have impacted the industry, but most people still appreciate a well-crafted article that comes from genuine passion.

It's sad to think that changes being made may impact content creators and potential followers may never get a chance to enjoy their work. While pitching ideas may work for some writers it's not for everyone. How about you? Please share your opinion in the comment section.