Comments on: The Cross-over

By: Paula

Paula — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:33:14 +0000

The best way to kick off a query is to write the first sentence or two as the lead to your article.

A lot of people want to start by introducing themselves. Wrong approach. Get the editor's attention before saying who you are or why you're contacting them.

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 11:57:46 +0000

So basically you apologized for bothering them instead of showed them why you can handle it, eh? Been there myself, Wendy. 🙂

I remember one pitch in particular that elicited an angry response from the editor. Yes, angry. He thought I was stereotyping – it wasn't my intention at all. Obviously, I had some things to learn back then about tactful approaches to sensitive subjects. 🙂

By: Wendy

Wendy — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 01:59:49 +0000

My biggest problem wasn't the research on the magazine, but the research on what editors look for.

Basically, my pitches were so bad that I could have just said, "Hey, I've got a great idea for an article, but don't hire me to write it, because obviously I don't have a clue what I'm doing." My pitch had the same effect.

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 19:42:26 +0000

Devon, I've had to match that homogenized tone on a few occasions. It sucks the life out of you. There's a consistency of voice, but it begins to sound "drone-ish" and repetitive. I hate it. I think it talks down to the reader.

Paula, I don't think I've pitched to all but two magazines I've read. I cruise the online content now and then, but I wouldn't call myself their reader, either.

Let me know how that idea goes!

Ashley, it becomes easier with practice. So you're smart not to give up!

By: Ashley

Ashley — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:12:14 +0000

I'm just getting into that type of freelancing and I've been doing a lot of reading on how to query magazines. I have discovered it's not as easy as the books make it sound 😉 But as they say, practice makes perfect – So I keep studying the ones I'd like to target and adjust my pitches accordingly.

By: Paula

Paula — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:01:02 +0000

It is odd, like Devon, I seldom pitch magazines I subscribe to. Well, there's one that I subscribed to after they bought reprints to one of my articles, but since subscribing, I've noticed the editorial content has shifted from focused and quirky to a mix of breathless gossip and PR fluff. I doubt I'll renew. That editor made my list for Follow Up Friday two times in a row for not responding to my latest query. Not a good sign.

I like to ask people I know well about the magazines they subscribe to. What do they like about them? What do they dislike? Which subjects have been done to death? What would they like the magazine to focus on a bit more? I always ask if they have any old issues I can borrow. Then I check out the magazine's website, search the archives. One magazine might want first-person stories, another might prefer "Top Seven Ways to...." pitches. Read articles, especially those in the "department" you're targeting.

I have a killer idea right now, and am in the process of deciding which women's magazine is the best fit. I discovered one touched on a related topic last year, and a couple magazines that don't cover the general subject.

By: Devon Ellington

Devon Ellington — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 15:37:10 +0000

Yeah, one of the frustrations is how the "tone" of some magazines has gotten so homogenized that all the writers sound the same. Hate that, as a reader and a writer.

Most of the magazines to which I subscribe aren't those to which I pitch -- sometimes because of the flat tone, but sometimes because I like to subscribe to publications to learn stuff I don't know.

Mostly, if I read something and think I could write something for them, I pitch a batch of ideas with some solid points so they get a good idea of what they'd get, and attach clips. Either they think it fits or it doesn't.

I get a much higher return when I pitch multiple ideas than just one.