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.
whole house cleaning Deerfield ..Whatever you're selling, writing articles to distribute freely amongst webmasters... Read More
As you write the outline for your next article, there... Read More
Writing and distributing articles on the internet is one of... Read More
Okay, I admit it: I'm a keen people-watcher. (Most writers... Read More
All of us, the authors, know that to enhance our... Read More
I've been able to distinguish 3 main categories that people... Read More
A great way for self employed professionals to enhance their... Read More
Writing dozens, hundreds or even thousands of articles and making... Read More
This free way to promote or publicize your book or... Read More
I was asked to write an article on a short... Read More
Yesterday I met a 13-year old boy with a devilish... Read More
If your business has a website, you're probably searching for... Read More
If you are going to be writing articles to promote... Read More
Most Internet marketers worth their salt know how effective articles... Read More
When you frequently post articles on ezines, you might be... Read More
Don't let overwhelm hold you back- follow this expert advice... Read More
Well maybe it's not that "little known" but some people... Read More
By now most entrepreneurs realize that the most cost effective... Read More
Recycling your work is a lot like doing your part... Read More
Have ever wished that there were a formula for crafting... Read More
Submitting well planned articles on-line will increase traffic and can... Read More
The traditional print media newsletter is still useful even in... Read More
Adsense is a program designed by Google to help publishers... Read More
Writing articles is one of the best and most effective... Read More
There's a new sort of ghost stalking the digital landscape.They... Read More
home cleaning services Des Plaines ..Jim was working hard to grow his business. Long hours... Read More
It is a well-known fact that a key to obtaining... Read More
Writing articles for online newsletters and websites can be a... Read More
Getting people to join your company can be hard work.... Read More
One of the most common blunders by those using article... Read More
You've got to start somewhere, but once you've created your... Read More
Selling books online means that you need to get interested... Read More
Writing and submitting articles to article banks is a well-known... Read More
Do you wonder what easy, cheap, and fast way you... Read More
A huge problem for many people who are working on... Read More
MS: John, you must be one of the most prolific... Read More
Everyone that publishes a newsletter or ezine knows that the... Read More
Looking for another no cost promotional tool? Your fee will... Read More
You submit it, that's what you do! And submit it... Read More
Frequently when I am communicating with other webmasters and I... Read More
I have a confession to make.I think in "articles."As a... Read More
All of us, the authors, know that to enhance our... Read More
Take a look around the Web and you'll find thousands... Read More
Often all the Web Surfer will see is your title,... Read More
People love to hear stories. They'll identify with what you... Read More
How are you marketing your articles? As a writer prospecting... Read More
Thanks to recent information that leaked by Google within their... Read More
It is a well known fact that writing, distributing and... Read More
Are you ready to become an internet marketing expert? Are... Read More
You may be wondering what persuasive writing has to do... Read More
Article Writing |