Anne, that's a great way to get the name of the right person. Where I was on staff, we had an assistant and a front-desk receptionist. Depending on who was at the front desk, you could get that info from her. However, there were times (with new admins) that they simply transferred you to the assistant. Then the assistants were laid off. That meant the call went to the next person, who was usually a writer or an editor. I would have been fine if the call had been transferred to me and I had to field the question. Ten seconds out of my day. But if that happened a hundred times a day, I'd be frustrated.

Then again, wouldn't it make sense for magazines to put that information on their websites? And yet they don't sometimes, which creates a ton of stress for their staff.

phone calls v. email… big difference between probably better not to call magazine editors – mostly true and cold calling corporate clients… businesses that need writing are not like editors.

Re managing eds, yes, and if it's a big mag check the masthead and see if there's an editor for the section you want to approach. Often works to simply call the magazine and ask whoever answers "who handles (whatever)?"

I know email has changed how we all do business, but there is a part of it which means we can hide behind email and other people can feel like they have the right to ignore you because of email.

I should say I found all my regular clients via cold emailing, however I wish I started calling before.

What I tend to do is use cold-emails and I am now incorporating more phone calls. Case in point: last week I called a potential client and found out the name of the marketing manager. I wouldn't have managed that if I had relied solely on email or LinkedIn.

I hate that I have to use the phone, but if it makes me eat, have to do it!

You're right re: the managing editor. That's who the real workhorse is, and who generates the assignments.

Thanks for the link love, Jake. Much appreciated. 🙂

By the way, LW, gave you and Anne a bit of link-love for the #writersquared chat in the interest of hearing more client-longevity stories.

Boy, was I wrong. Both editors responded immediately (one didn't get my snail mail clip folder and LOI, but when I followed up via e-mail they immediately asked me to re-send it.) The other editor called and assigned me something on the spot. Eight years later I still write several articles (and even little fillers) for that editor and several of his co-editors.

The editor is a person, not a goddess. 🙂 Just remember to act as you did with the assistant editor. An editor is just a slightly higher paid version with a lot more headaches attached. 🙂