Queries are not written like business letters or emails; they are specifically designed to sell your articles.
Every query should be:
What reaction do you think this will generate? Yes, a rejection slip. Why? Your letter was boring and didn't grab the editor's attention.
What I usually suggest to new writers is to write the article and then write the query. This has a twofold effect. First, you will know you can write the article, and second you can take information from the article to compile the query. When you become more experienced you can simply write the query and when it is accepted, write the whole article.
Here is a simple formula:
Dear (get the person's name right)
Great Headline (Title)
First paragraph is the hook to get the editor interested. There is no "warm-up" paragraph. In fact, this first paragraph could be the lead of your article. For example: When Adam White bought his first block of land in (name of town) almost ten years ago, he had no idea his investment portfolio would reach nearly $2 million.
The second paragraph should include some good facts and figures.
Third paragraph confirm that the person is willing to share his strategies for wealth.
Fourth paragraph lets the editor know you can provide some excellent photographs.
Fifth paragraph state when you can have the article ready and the word count plus number of images. If you have special qualifications in the subject/topic, let the editor know plus your experience.
Please don't finish your query with... Thank you for your consideration. Just get in and give the editor a great idea and then get out.
Make sure all your contact details are on the top of the letter. If you are sending the query by email you can still use this formula, but your details could appear at the bottom of your email.
Sell the editor with the first paragraph of the query and he/she will commission you and offer a good rate of pay.
barb clews is an award winning journalist with nearly 1,000 published articles to her credit. She has been a writer and editor for 15 years and is the author of "Article Writing for Freelancers" and "20 Tips to Increase Writing Skills" Visit barb clews to subscribe to "Words that Work", Barb's monthly ezine packed with tips for writers.
Airbnb cleaning service Glenview ..1. Participate in chat rooms related to your targeted audience.... Read More
The experts are always telling us that getting paid for... Read More
One question I get asked all the time is how... Read More
Writing and leveraging articles is my most successful strategy for... Read More
If you want to really make your article "SELL" then... Read More
It is a well-known fact that a key to obtaining... Read More
1. Write to one person.When you're writing your article picture... Read More
Many writers do not understand that the online writing business... Read More
Once you learn the benefits of article writing, you may... Read More
Articles are a fantastic source of links and additional traffic... Read More
This has to be the number one thing that most... Read More
Part 1 of a 2-part series To read Part 2... Read More
A ghostwriter, as one may think is not a writer... Read More
One of the most tried and true methods of self-promotion... Read More
I'm betting that that 3 out of 4 of you... Read More
Publishing articles on the Internet is a tremendous way to... Read More
Online readers love information, but be sure your information is... Read More
The ezine article is of major importance to the world... Read More
In order to answer the question I've just asked in... Read More
Need traffic? Write an article.Need sales? Write an article.Need Your... Read More
All of us, the authors, know that to enhance our... Read More
Find definitions from H to P... ~~~~~~~~~~~ H ~~~~~~~~~~~ Haiku... Read More
Writing articles is one of the most powerful, if not... Read More
Getting people to join your company can be hard work.... Read More
A great headline can be the difference between having your... Read More
efficient cleaning crew Highland Park ..Your author bio is a vital part of your article... Read More
One of the best things you can do for your... Read More
Find definitions from H to P... ~~~~~~~~~~~ H ~~~~~~~~~~~ Haiku... Read More
Take a look around the Web and you'll find thousands... Read More
Find definitions from A to G! ~~~~~~~~~~~ A ~~~~~~~~~~~ About... Read More
A great headline can be the difference between having your... Read More
This is precisely what I am doing here today (and... Read More
Here's a really simple way... to promote your online business... Read More
There's one key rule that every writer should understand before... Read More
A lot of great ideas happen when two or more... Read More
There is some wisdom in saying that when you are... Read More
Adsense is a program designed by Google to help publishers... Read More
I have seen the question asked so many times. How... Read More
There are many different ways to improve link popularity for... Read More
Content is an important component of your web site. Learning... Read More
Many people which in online business world find difficulties in... Read More
Writing for web content is one of the easiest ways... Read More
If your business has a website, you're probably searching for... Read More
The traditional print media newsletter is still useful even in... Read More
Anyone who's been in the business for 2 or 3... Read More
Gasp! I can hear it from the purists now: Matt... Read More
You're Invited... Visualize your article going out like a party... Read More
Every field or discipline has its own specialized vocabulary and... Read More
Chances are good that the next article or book you... Read More
What's the most powerful marketing technique on the Web? Search... Read More
Article Writing |