Whenever I meet writers who are taking their first step towards freelance marketing. Who've grown tired of applying for part time gigs they don't get, scanning Craigslist ads for hours, or of getting $5 a post from a content mill.

This to me is an exciting time, the moment writers realize they're in business -- and running a business means you now have to do proactive marketing. Passively trolling ads online that are each going to get 1,000 responses isn't your ticket to high roller status.

The truth is, when you first start active marketing, it can be quite discouraging. Early results may not be spectacular. There's quite a bit you need to know to win at pitching your writing services effectively.

While some writers make phone calls or do in-person networking, most of us send marketing or pitch emails and for publications, we send queries.

But, most of these pitches don't get results. Why? Here are my top five personal  reasons freelance marketing is ineffective, based on my findings after reviewing hundreds of pitch letters over the years. Read on