|
Author: Calissa Leigh Article source: http://www.directemailmarketingsoftware.net/. Used with author's permission.
The first step to getting published is to find your market. Find a magazine you are familiar with and read the guidelines, read the magazine and as many issues as you can. Are they lacking a particular idea in that subject matter? Has there been an article written that didn't quite cover everything you thought it should? Write down your ideas.
After that, follow the directions on the submission guidelines.
1. Freelance writers must follow the directions. Most editors drop submissions into the trash pile for only one reason, the writer didn't follow directions. If the instructions say that you should not send email, why would you send an email submission? You could beat probably 80% of the rest of the slush pile by being focused on following instructions to a T.
2. Check previous issues for duplicates of your article ideas. No idea is really ever new and more than likely, your idea has already been used at one point. Make sure whatever idea you are submitting hasn't been published recently. It cuts out having to reject your idea, even if it's a good one.
3. Make sure your writing style matches the magazine. One of the biggest mistakes is to not actually have read the magazine before hand. This is why the majority of magazine editors request you at least read a couple issues, which they will happily send to you. It may be extra work but eventually you will get an idea of what sort of freelance writer they are looking for.
4. Grammar and spelling are important for any successful freelance writing career. Most editors claim that the majority of query letters would probably turn into sales, if only the freelance writer would have used proper spelling and grammar. If you can't write a good query letter, how do they expect you to write the full article? You must give your all in every query and submission you send in.
5. Clips are not so important, though they do help a freelance writer. Of all things, an editor wants a freelance writer to provide a good, fresh idea and a quality style to your writing in your initial query letter. If your idea is good and your query letter is well written, an editor can tell if you will qualify for the assignment quickly and will more than likely offer you an assignment.
6. Write articles for smaller publications. If you are still struggling as a freelance writer, sometimes offering free articles online or for smaller publications will help boost your portfolio. This is a little trick most any new writer can do. Don't feel bad about giving away free writing! It won't stay that way and your clips often say a lot about you to editors.
With all honesty, you don't have to be the best writer to be published! You only have to be able to follow directions and come up with an idea that isn't currently being used. Use rejection slips as a reason to submit again with a better idea. If you need additional help, try checking out websites of professional writers who offer advice on their website. Calissa Leigh is a freelance writer available for copywriting, ghost writing articles and helping with query letters and submission. You can find helpful information on writing, freelance writing jobs and more by visiting her website at http://calissaleigh.com.
This article is offered free for reprint, provided the byline stays in tact and links are kept active. Please visit calissaleigh.com and look for her link directory for a return link and find more free content articles.
A Legacy For Dakota A letter to my son...
Crate Training Dogs & Puppies- FAQ Why put your puppy in a cage? This FAQ answers all the "Why's" and "How's" of Crate Training, the fastest and most humane method of housebreaking dogs. Learn ...
Ladies, Is Your Valentine The Cheating Kind? According to statistics, 50% to 70% of men cheat on their mates. What type of man is most likely to cheat? Ruth Houston, infidelity expert and author of "Is H...
How to Ensure You Stay Safe and Steer Clear of Bad Apples When Dating Online Online dating is a fun and effective way of meeting people for friendship, dating and love in the real world. Exchanging emails is a great way to build deep rel...
5 Tips to Keep Your Mental Health in Shape as You Diet This article explains how to keep mental health while dieting...
Clearing the Air on What to Look for in an Air Purifier If you are dedicated to improving the indoor air quality of your home, you're aware that there are certain steps you need to take to reduce the amount of allerg...
Dealing with Difficult People When dealing with difficult people, stay out of it
emotionally and concentrate on listening non-defensively and
actively. People may make disparaging and emotio...
Acne Scar Removal Surgery Acne scar removal surgery is one way of treating the scars left behind from acne. Acne scar removal surgery can be done by your dermatologist.
Choose To Be Happy What if I told you that you have the ability to decide if you are happy or not. You would probably say that I'm crazy. 1. I'm not crazy and 2. Happiness is a ch...
The Power of Thank-You Most sales people thank a customer when they close a sale. Separate yourself from your competition by thanking people at other times.
Aerodynamic Changes Need To Be Made In MAVs; Micro Air Autonomous Vehicles Micro-air vehicles
How to Choose a Lighthouse Mailbox Lighthouse mailboxes can come in a variety of looks and
styles. Most are a mailbox in the shape of a lighthouse.
These come in various colors. Many are hand pai...
Choose Now a Holiday of Significance … (and Less Stress) for Your Family Get more significance out of your holidays this season by creating and enjoy some new family traditions.
The Credit Card Surprise That You Need to Look Out For What surprise is your credit card company hiding from you?
Patriots and Parrots: Imprisoning Tongues in America Since 9/11 we have become a country with only one politically corrent line--a salute to the flag. Think about whether you want a land of parrots or one of patri...
Facts About Accepting Change In order to be successful in life, we have to accept the fact that everything around us changes, all the time. Once you have reached the point where you can ac...
Gateway to Success:Credit Cards Credit cards are a form of credit that is so accessible these days, that we can take a card out as easily as going into a shop as buying a newspaper, the only d...
Affiliate Marketing Using A Newsletter or Ezine Affiliate marketing is still one of the biggest ways anyone can make a small fortune on the internet today. This article will cover one of the affiliate tactics...
Visitor Traffic Statistics 101, or, The Who, What, When, Where, Why & How of Web Analytics Learn the basics of Web analytics and how important it is to be able to
accurately track your Website visitor traffic. General traffic numbers are not enough t...
MLM Money Making Opportunities There are still real money making opportunities mlm style available that you might want to take advantage of. Even though many people these days consider any ML...
Approval - You Dont Need It People always judge others, and so it should not come as a shock if someone judges you negatively. Learn what comments starting with 'you are too...' really mea...
Keeping Track of Your Link Exchanges All of us want to increase traffic to our web sites. It helps our search engine rankings, and provides us with potential new customers. One of the best, and cer...
Monetary Flows, Consumer Debt, Policy, Trade Deficit and Reality Stream of thought on international trade, over regulation and solutions to mankinds dilemmas. Something to think on.
The Surefire Way To Getting A Pay Raise If you are working for someone else, it is important to remember this fact: No one gives you a raise, you must earn it. You've got to prove you are worth the ...
|