how to pitch to magazine editors

How to Pitch a Story Idea to Magazines, Part 2

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Study Potential Contract Givers’ Websites
This is an important point! The biggest pet peeve for freelance employers or media is, when they receive pitches from people who haven’t read their magazine or researched their company – or when they get a query for a topic that has just been published. Know the magazine inside out!
Before submitting anything to a major publication, make sure you read its guidelines!  Plenty of good writing is rejected because the writer was too lazy to meet the guidelines. It goes without saying, but you should strive to avoid grammatical or spelling errors when contacting editors

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Update your Writer Portfolio / Resume
If you’ve never freelanced before, your resume will be built from whatever past writing you have done. Pull out the writing-specific duties you ever have accomplished and describe them. Add your best blog posts or guest blogs or articles you have written for newspapers and magazines of all sizes – as more as better! Include sections that outline your education, professional affiliations and contact information. Check if you can use any of these points to add to your portfolio / resume:

  • what’s your credibility?
  • what are your credentials?
  • what other articles or books, blogs or articles for newspapers or magazines have you
  • written previously?
  • the size of your e-mail newsletter list
  • your website traffic and your Alexa.com ranking
  • number of blog comments
  • high-profile reviews,
  • testimonials or references for your writing from bestseller authors
  • what communities are you a part of?
  • who knows you as a writer and who is aware of your work?
  • where does your work regularly appear?
  • how many people see it?
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Being visible to the right audience for the work you are trying to sell. A website or a blog is an absolute necessity these days. You have to be able to present your work online and to establish SEO (Search Engine Optimization).

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Do Offer Several Images
Take images yourself with a good camera or buy high-quality photos in TIFF for print and in JPEG for online magazines to accompany your articles. You might send them with your first pitch if they are really appealing. Even if your article is not taken, your images might be purchased. Magazines and newspapers always scramble for high resolution photographs.
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Learn to Write for the Web
If you offer magazine articles to online publications, get tips how to write for the web. Write with the “punch line” first, starting with the conclusion, rather than building up. One way to learn to write this way is to write the section first with all the details, and then go back and start it with a lead sentence or two. There is a huge difference between writing a book and writing short pieces for a magazine:
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More Details How to Pitch

Jaclyn Law gave in an article via Mastheadonline more details:

  • check the masthead or website for editors’ names and contact info. Most publications accept pitches by email. Put your idea in the subject line.
  • pitch short pieces in the beginning. Check out the masthead (often on the first pages or last pages of the magazine/newspaper) to find out which types of stories are open to freelancers.
  • plan ahead! Magazines that publish monthly, have four- to six-month lead times; research and pitch ideas well in advance.
  • tell the editor how you will approach the story: first person, interviews with experts
  • how many words: one magazine page = approx. 750 words single space
  • why the article is timely: news hook, season, awareness week, anniversary and what fresh angle can you bring to the topic?
  • why you are the right writer: background details or credentials that support your case
  • mention if you’ve been published elsewhere
  • Editors like to see packaging ideas, e.g., boxes or sidebars (see writing for the web!)
  • polish and edit your query: spelling, grammar, punctuation – it must be perfect!
  • if you haven’t heard back after two to three weeks, follow up with a friendly email
  • proofread your writing several times and meet your deadline
  • provide fact-checking info; be open to feedback; make revisions promptly and you will have a chance to get a bigger story next time.
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Here are Some Examples of Magazines to Pitch
http://savvybookwriters.wordpress.com/2012/06/23/writing-freelance-for-magazines/
http://savvybookwriters.wordpress.com/2012/02/28/freelance-writing-for-childrens-magazines/
http://savvybookwriters.wordpress.com/2013/08/13/smart-authors-get-paid-for-marketing-their-books/
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If you want to expand your magazine writing: Have a look at
11 Websites to Find Freelance Writing Jobs
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Perfect for shy writers
Content book marketing is also perfect for shy writers who might cringe at stepping outside their comfort zone. They can promote their books at the end of each article they write and even add links to their website or book sales page. Traditional media is more and more outsourcing, barely any full-time writing staff is left, which means they are open to pitches from freelance contributors.
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Your articles are creating content people love to share, because it is either funny / witty or useful advice or otherwise interesting for readers. Content is used to draw in your ideal readers / reviewers and to build a platform. The result: you will increase your exposure, show your writing skills, grow a loyal following and attract reviewers – in one sentence: Achieve success with your books – and in many cases, even get paid for it. Once you break the “glass-ceiling” – the sky will be the limit!

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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $179 for three months – or less than $2 per day! Learn more about this customized Online Seminar / Consulting for writers: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars   Or visit http://www.e-book-pr.com/book-promo/ to advertise your new book, specials, your KDP Select Free Days or the new Kindle Countdown Deals.

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Tagged: content marketing, how to pitch to magazine editors, how to pitch to newspapers, make revisions promptly, provide fact-checking, stepping outside of your comfort zone, use your manuscript and turn it into articles