Looking for some free professional development? Recently, New York Times Magazine culture editor Adam Sternbergh shared tips on Twitter about how to be a better freelance writer.

His advice is humorous and useful. Here’s one tip: keep your pitches short. Sternbergh will read a “one-paragraph pitch as soon as I open it, and likely decide then. Three or more paragraphs I always ‘file’ for ‘later.’”

If you’ve ever had questions about reminder emails, deadlines, or client response time, check out Sternbergh’s tips.

Do you have some great freelance tips of your own? Share them in the comments.