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, copywriting and more by visiting her website at copywriting.
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.
house refresh service Lincolnshire ..Would it be worth it to master a technique that... Read More
The five essential questions to be answered in your article... Read More
Is Putting your Articles in the Public Domain really a... Read More
Inspirational articles were once limited to self-help and religious publications,... Read More
The name of the game as far as Internet marketing... Read More
Anyone who's been in the business for 2 or 3... Read More
Ever read one of those web articles written by an... Read More
Abandon your frustrations and get a fresh start by trying... Read More
There is no doubt that Spam has affected online business... Read More
If you market online, whether it be your own information... Read More
A revolutionary marketing device that I call article marketing I... Read More
One of the best things you can do for your... Read More
It doesn't really matter who you are; you definitely know... Read More
Once you learn the benefits of article writing, you may... Read More
The key to selling reprints to parenting publications is the... Read More
I have seen the question asked so many times. How... Read More
Do you know the difference between simultaneous article submissions and... Read More
Evaluation of a Home-Run ArticleI've been writing articles and posting... Read More
All of us, the authors, know that to enhance our... Read More
You're Invited... Visualize your article going out like a party... Read More
1. Participate in chat rooms related to your targeted audience.... Read More
The first step to getting published is to find your... Read More
Here's a really simple way... to promote your online business... Read More
You, too, can become a recognized expert in your specialized... Read More
This is Part 2 of a 2 part article -... Read More
licensed cleaning services Lake Forest ..Many online marketers have crowed about the value of writing... Read More
If you haven't considered the power of articles as part... Read More
Everyone that publishes a newsletter or ezine knows that the... Read More
I am sure that there would have been a moment... Read More
Some six weeks ago, I began writing and submitting articles... Read More
Knowing exactly what an editor wants.Unfortunately, many new writers struggle... Read More
Queries are not written like business letters or emails; they... Read More
Writers have one basic need -- readers. We all want... Read More
If you are starving for traffic, can't seem to consistently... Read More
Your author bio is a vital part of your article... Read More
1) Don't use all capitals in your title:People don't like... Read More
As we prepared to move our 12,000 article database from... Read More
Did you realize that writing and publishing articles online represents... Read More
Writers talk about rejection all the time ? just part... Read More
Do you know the difference between simultaneous article submissions and... Read More
Most Internet marketers worth their salt know how effective articles... Read More
Writing articles that are available for reprint is an excellent... Read More
A few years ago as a webmaster with no money,... Read More
"When you provide good information from which readers can learn... Read More
How are you marketing your articles? As a writer prospecting... Read More
Most business owners are overwhelmed with the day to day... Read More
Have you ever wondered why Ezine Articles have become one... Read More
Search Engines are constantly on the "look out" for freshly... Read More
Publishing articles on the Internet is a tremendous way to... Read More
In today's busy world, whether your business is large or... Read More
Article Writing |