1.Test Your Idea:
To lead to a sale, your query must convince the editor that you have a clear idea of what you plan to cover in the article, and what approach you ‘re going to take. So before writing the letter, think your article idea through carefully, and picture yourself describing the article to a friend.
To lead to a sale, your query must convince the editor that you have a clear idea of what you plan to cover in the article, and what approach you ‘re going to take. So before writing the letter, think your article idea through carefully, and picture yourself describing the article to a friend.
- Find Your Angle:
When your subject is popular, you
must give the editor a fresh approach. One way is to take an idea like “Overcoming Failure” and give it a twist
to something like “Failure Can Be Good for You.” It needn’t be exotic to sell, something as
mundane as “New and Improved” has worked by adding a new ingredient to the
usual.
- Research Helps:
While many queries can be written
entirely from your own knowledge, a little research can pay big dividends by
seducing the editor. Facts sell editors
on an idea. Editors look for queries
with many specifics: Don’t just write
that “Last year millions of people suffered from yeast infections.” Tell how many millions – and why! Research both the topic and the
markets you’re aiming it at. A common reason for rejection is because of
inadequate knowledge of the magazine.
- Shaping Your Raw Material:
- the idea
- the slant/facts, and
- the market
Then you’re ready to write your
query. A good query starts strong, and
never lets up until the editor is sold.
Follow the two newspaper dictum; The five W’s (who, what, where, when,
why) which explains the story immediately, and “the inverted pyramid” which
emphasized putting the most interesting information first. You’ll lose the editor’s interest if you save
the best for last, and always remember EDITOR’S CUT FROM THE BOTTOM UP!
- 3 Main Sections to a Query:
- The Lead Paragraph
- The Summary
- The Author’s Bio.
Each has a specific purpose: first,
tell the editor what the story is, then why she/he should buy it, and finally
who is going to write it. The Lead – is aimed to hook the
editor and make them want to continue reading.
Once you’ve aroused the editor’s
attention, move directly to a summary of the article.
Summary - This section should
convince the editor that you know where you want to go with the article; it
should outline the points you plan to cover or provide factual information
about your topic – giving only enough to prove that your story is real.
Here you can mention your sources. Tell the editor who’ll you’ll be talking to, and if experts are they on the cutting edge of today’s technology. Also include here a working title for the article. Don’t spend a lot of time trying to get a provocative headline, because titles are often changed by the editor before publication.
Here you can mention your sources. Tell the editor who’ll you’ll be talking to, and if experts are they on the cutting edge of today’s technology. Also include here a working title for the article. Don’t spend a lot of time trying to get a provocative headline, because titles are often changed by the editor before publication.
Author’s Bio – is where you sell
yourself as a writer to the editor now that you’ve sold him/her on the
idea. Don’t be bashful; editors expect a
bit of sell in the bio.
There’s nothing
wrong with saying, “I’m highly qualified to write this article because” if a
convincing reason follows. Start your
bio with your publishing credits, and include magazines similar to the one
you’re pitching if you can. Have a nice day.
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