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A Week in the Life of a Magazine Editor’s Inbox

Jun 12, 2025
A Week in the Life of a Magazine Editor’s Inbox

Ever wondered what happens to your pitch after you press send? Let’s take a peek behind the curtain…

If you’ve ever felt like your emails are disappearing into a black hole, you’re not alone. Fashion and beauty editors receive hundreds of emails every week and that’s on a quiet one.

To help you understand why it’s not always personal when you don’t hear back, we’ve broken down what a typical week in a magazine editor’s inbox really looks like, and how to make sure your pitch doesn’t get lost in the noise.


Monday: The Inbox Avalanche
  • 8:57am: They log in to over 300 unread emails.
  • 9:15am: They’ve already deleted half, subject lines weren’t clear, too generic, or screamed “mass email.”
  • 10:30am: They flag a few gift guide pitches and invites to launches that align with current coverage plans.
  • Yours? Possibly buried under a mountain of Monday madness. Timing matters.

Tip: Avoid pitching first thing Monday unless it’s time-sensitive. Try Tuesday late morning for better visibility.


Tuesday: Meetings, Deadlines & Forward Planning
  • Between editorial meetings, layouts, and calls with PRs they already know, editors are juggling tight deadlines and planning for next month’s features.
  • Only the most relevant, eye-catching emails get opened.
  • If your pitch has a strong subject line and matches an upcoming theme (think summer skincare, Pride month, Wimbledon-worthy looks), it has a better chance of being read.

Tip: Be specific. “Affordable SPF under £20 for oily skin” beats “Summer press release.”


Wednesday: Events, Launches & Trying to Catch Up
  • It’s midweek. There’s a breakfast launch in Soho, a showroom appointment in the afternoon, and a last-minute shoot edit to approve.
  • They’ll skim their inbox on their phone between taxis, but unless your subject line is golden or your name is already familiar, you’ll probably get snoozed for later… if at all.

Tip: Build relationships early. A friendly follow-up later in the week can help bring your pitch back to the top.


Thursday: PR Day
  • Thursdays are often the day editors dedicate to meeting PRs, reviewing samples, and sorting what’s going in next week’s shoots or stories.
  • If you’ve sent a relevant, well-timed pitch with product images, stockist info, and clear pricing, this could be the moment it gets noticed.

Tip: Always include high-quality images and clear details in your first email, they don’t have time to chase.


Friday: Firefighting & Signing Off
  • Friday is a rush to hit deadlines, wrap up the week, and clear the inbox before the weekend.
  • Most non-urgent emails will go ignored.
  • A polite follow-up here might get flagged for Monday… or buried again.

Tip: If you’re following up on a Friday, keep it extremely short, helpful, and low pressure.


So… how do you stand out?
  1. Your subject line is everything. Keep it short, relevant and clickable.
  2. Do your homework. Pitch the right editor, at the right title, with the right story angle.
  3. Include the important bits upfront. Think pricing, product links, high-res images, availability, and why it’s relevant right now.
  4. Keep it concise. They’re scanning, not reading essays.

If you’ve ever felt ignored, remember: it’s not that your pitch was bad, it might have just hit at the wrong time, lacked a hook, or landed in a sea of other emails. Knowing how editors work helps you pitch smarter, not louder.


Tags: PR Advice
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