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.
green cleaning service Glencoe ..Writing and submitting articles to article banks is a well-known... Read More
If you are not creating articles for your website and... Read More
Hey! Who's that I see, typing feverishly as brilliant ideas... Read More
Understanding the rules of correct formatting for online articles will... Read More
Publishers and webmasters can spend massive amounts of time just... Read More
Find definitions from H to P... ~~~~~~~~~~~ H ~~~~~~~~~~~ Haiku... Read More
Online publishers, ezine subscribers, and Web visitors want short, useful... Read More
How would you like to have your name and web... Read More
Article marketing works like this. The majority of webmasters are... Read More
Getting people to join your company can be hard work.... Read More
You want your business to be noticed by thousands daily.... Read More
A simple technique to increase web site traffic is using... Read More
Every field or discipline has its own specialized vocabulary and... Read More
Online readers love information, but be sure your information is... Read More
There is some wisdom in saying that when you are... Read More
Everyone knows an expert is just a drip under pressure.... Read More
You, too, can become a recognized expert in your specialized... Read More
Find definitions from Q to Z... ~~~~~~~~~~~ Q ~~~~~~~~~~~ Query... Read More
Many writers struggle with the decision of whether or not... Read More
It's no secret that writing and publishing helpful articles is... Read More
By now you probably understand how important writing for trade... Read More
Often all the Web Surfer will see is your title,... Read More
I was busiy submitting some articles I ghost wrote for... Read More
A revolutionary marketing device that I call article marketing I... Read More
The experts are always telling us that getting paid for... Read More
house cleaning company Bannockburn ..What's the quickest, easiest way to get exposure for your... Read More
Still following along on the Copywriter's Crash Course in article... Read More
It is important for all webmasters to realize that if... Read More
It doesn't really matter who you are; you definitely know... Read More
It is not my intention to give you a 5... Read More
If you're sick of being #987 for your best Google... Read More
Not every web designer has the time ? or skills... Read More
If you want to really make your article "SELL" then... Read More
Are you a reluctant marketer for your book? Do you... Read More
Article marketing is becoming more and more popular, especially as... Read More
If you have an entertainment website then you're always looking... Read More
Did you realize that writing and publishing articles online represents... Read More
Have you ever seen articles that are not only related... Read More
Most all ezine publishers need fresh content. Article writing is... Read More
Need traffic? Write an article.Need sales? Write an article.Need Your... Read More
Who remembers the 1979 movie, The Jerk with Steve Martin?... Read More
Understanding the rules of correct formatting for online articles will... Read More
Online PR in the form of website and ezine article... Read More
Writing articles related to your business is a great way... Read More
Writing effectively on the internet is the most effective way... Read More
Ease of Submission With so many article distribution sites out... Read More
What is Anchor Text Optimization?Anchor text optimization consists of the... Read More
If you haven't considered the power of articles as part... Read More
Every successful website needs to be, what the experts consider,... Read More
You pick a pen, grab a piece of paper and... Read More
Article Writing |