A relatively new freelancer recently contacted me with a question about how to pick up more trade magazine writing assignments. James P., the writer, had done a few pieces for a particular industry magazine, but had written them as an industry expert and the publication didn’t pay for that type of work. How, James asked, could he get the editor to consider him for paid assignments?
For an editor, assigning something to a writer you haven’t worked with before is risky. They may look good on paper, but great clips don’t say anything about a person’s work ethic, resourcefulness and ability to meet deadlines, not to mention how much – or little – editing went into making those clips look so great.
To break into a new market you essentially have to convince an editor of two things, you’re too good a prospect to pass up, or the story you’re pitching is so perfect for your publication you don’t want anyone else to have it. Getting there is more of a marathon than a sprint: it takes a plan, practice and a lot of patience.
WordCount Last Wednesday
We’ll discuss how to make yourself and your story ideas veritable catnip to editors in our discussion of breaking into new markets on the next WordCount Last Wednesday writers’ chat. The chat takes place this Wednesday at 10 a.m. Pacific time.
Join the conversation by using the #wclw hashtag on Twitter.
Whether you’re just starting out or have years of freelance experience, please join us.
For the 60-minute chat, we’ll start with introductions, move to some pre-set questions and leave lots of time for other questions.
Here are the pre-set questions:
- Q1: What’s your biggest concern when approaching a new-to-you publication?
- Q2: If you’ve successfully worked with a new writing outlet in the last 1-2 years, how did it happen?
- Q3: How have you used social networks (LinkedIn, FB, Twitter, etc.) to mine new outlets for your writing?
- Q4: What do you know now that you wish you’d known when you first approached new markets?
Joining the #wclw chat
It’s possible to use the standard Twitter interface for the chat, but you might find it easier to follow along with an add-on application such as TweetGrid, TweetChat or HootSuite. Of those three, my favorite is TweetChat, which you can log into using your Twitter account. You might want to alert followers that you’ll be tweeting more than usual during the chat, and suggest they use Muuter.com to temporarily mute you if they don’t want to tune into the conversation.
If you’re unable to join us, I’ll post highlights from the chat in an upcoming post.
Got an idea for a future #wclw chat? Would you like to participate as a guest speaker? Send your idea or bio to me at wordcountfreelance@gmail.com.
Michelle, this is a fantastic topic, so I really wish I could tune in on Wednesday. One strategy I’ve found fruitful is to pitch a FOB piece instead of a feature when approaching a new-to-you editor. It’s less of a risk for the editor but the downside for you is that sometimes you can pigeon-holed as an FOB writer. I’ve also found that if I can get introduced to an editor through another editor or a writer she trusts, it goes a long way in building that relationship and trust. I would also emphasize credits in similar publications, especially if you’ve had repeat assignments, because that usually means not you’re not a diva or an editing disaster.
Great strategies Susan. I agree that word of mouth is probably the most powerful introduction of all; I recently introduced two freelancers who I’ve known and worked with for a couple years to an editor I write for on a regular basis who was looking for some more writers. He ended up giving both of them assignments based on my recommendation. Good work does get rewarded.
Michelle