As girls, we have an edge over men when it comes to our capabilities to listen and to communicate. When we combine those qualities with strong writing talents, we are able to become topnotch stories and feature writers for mags. But , as anyone who has tried to make a name in magazine writing knows, it's not necessarily straightforward to break into and stay in the game. These are some tips to offer you an edge.
Build a Portfolio
If you would like to be a mag writer, you are going to need a portfolio of published work. If you haven't been published, begin to write for the Web – it is the most straightforward place to get published these days. If you are unable to get a paid writing gig, then write for free – but make sure that the pieces you write have your byline. You may write for your own website or blog; just be absolutely certain that you are perfect with your writing style and grammar, and avoid ranting about questionable topics.
Whether you have got a fistful of clippings or only have 1 or 2 links, it’s important to get your portfolio on the web. Keep under consideration that content online is consistently changing, so don’t rely on links to your articles. If you have Web content in your portfolio, take a screen shot of your piece and change it into a PDF file. The same holds true for your print articles. Editors do not want to receive a stack of copied clippings; they want to be well placed to see your work with one or two button clicks. So turn your portfolio into a set of PDFs and put them on your internet site.
Find Your Niche
If you are a good writer, you can very likely write about almost any subject. Nonetheless, to market yourself, it is smart to find your niche. Maybe you excel in digging into medical books and writing about health topics. Perhaps you are an ace interviewer and can write phenomenal profiles. It could be that you have got a depth and breadth of knowledge of a very particular subject, eg women’s barrenness. Or, maybe you have got a natural ability to write for a teen readership. Understanding your niche will help you pitch the right subjects to the right magazines.
Be Pitch Perfect
Most mag editors receive pitches from lots of consultants every week. To get noticed, your pitch needs to be wonderful. Start by doing your research, and only pitch to magazines that fit your niche. Don’t overlook local or regional mags; in fact , savvy writers can turn their regional writing into syndicated pieces that they can sell repeatedly again.
It's also important to make your pitch particular. If you're going to pitch an article about women’s barrenness, for instance, tell the editor the angle you're going to use and why it’s fresh, the specialists you are going to interview, and what her readers will get out of the article. Suggest sidebars and, if you can provide artwork, include that as well.
Underpromise and Overdeliver
Once you get the gig, ensure you are each editor’s dream-come-true. Upload your article early, supply the names and contact info of your sources so that they can be fact-checked, and don't whine if you need to do a revision or 2. Once your piece is released, drop the editor a thankyou note and make her aware that you’d like to work with her again. That way, you're sure to be at the top of her list the next time she is distributing assignments, and you'll be a bone fide women’s magazine writer!
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