Sometimes the tips are brilliant and the subject matter perfectly on-target for my publication. And yet the proposal doesn’t fly. Why?

Crucially, we don’t want ready-made content that might be published elsewhere. At best this can make us look unimaginative and lazy. At worst it could appear plagiaristic. Hence the interview offer… I hear you say. But here we wonder what else the talent would deliver that’s different to the tips already emailed around. Surely they’re not saving their best ideas for unknown opportunities?

True, it’s going the extra mile. (I get it – I’m a people-pleaser too!) But in this instance, it pays not to.

A more fruitful way to work, I think, is to simply pitch us pro tips – perhaps teasing with one of the good’uns – instead of sharing the lot. When accepted (on an exclusive basis) we can then brief on the best angle and required style, maximising a successful outcome for all.

It’s meme-worthy, but accurate: ‘an original is always worth more than a copy’. Need we say more?