As you may have read in my last post, I've been struggling with the idea of composing article queries lately. I can't say I'm afraid of rejection; it's more like I'm not too keen on making the time commitment. When you add up the time spent brainstorming the perfect pitch, finding potential sources, reviewing previous issues of the publication and tailoring your idea to fit the magazine's needs...well, it's all just so intimidating!
I spent hours last week developing several concepts for real estate trade magazines, but for some reason, it was like sloughing through mud. My mind wandered. My prose felt stilted. Nothing gelled.
I needed a different approach.
Thank goodness for Susan Johnston over at The Urban Muse and the power of online archives. Although her post about letters of introduction (or LOIs, for short) is nearly three years old, the information it contains is every bit as valuable now as it was when she first published it. For me, it was a game-changer. Let's talk about why.
On the surface, article queries and LOIs may seem similar enough, especially to brand-new freelance writers. They both work to sell a writer's services to an editor, hopefully showcasing said writer's experience and ability to write in a particular niche. However, while the query presents an idea for a specific article, the LOI is more general, emphasizing how the writer can meet the overall needs of the publication.
As Johnston explains in the comments section of her post, queries tend to work best for custom publications that are actively seeking ideas, while LOIs can be a good strategy for trade pubs, especially when your experience is industry-specific. Since most of my clips are related to real estate marketing, I fit into that category. Furthermore, many of the industry publications I follow appear to have their articles written by real estate agents. That means less potential for submitting specific queries, but a ton of opportunity for ghostwriting, another great reason to use the more general LOI. Lastly, I've had a difficult time locating writer's guidelines for the trade pubs in question, so a LOI would be a great way to get a feel for what these magazines are looking for.
So, there you have it---a rough breakdown of the differences between article queries and letters of introduction. Although these freelance cousins are used at different times and for different reasons, many writers will need to create both at some point in their careers. Thus, it's not a bad idea to get some practice creating both documents when you can. Check out this phenomenal post at Dollars and Deadlines for templates of the two, in addition to nearly a dozen other invaluable documents you're sure to use throughout your freelance journey.
Q&A for the Day: Which do you prefer, the more targeted approach of queries, or the more general tone of LOIs? Have you had more success with one over the other, or the same results with both?
Recently a fellow freelancer asked me about my querying process, or in non-freelancing terms, how many times I'd pitched article ideas to various publications and what the responses had been. I'm embarrassed to say I couldn't give him a straight answer. The truth is, the very idea of querying freaks me out. A lot. So much that I've avoided the process entirely until now.
You see, even though I've had dozens of clips published in local newspapers and magazines over the years, I've never actually tried to query an editor before. I was fortunate in that all of those gigs came to me through networking of some kind. However, since we are still very much in a recession, I can't afford to overlook any sources of potential income, especially ones as well-paying as magazines can be. Therefore, off to the Google search box I went, where phrases like "how to write article query" and "how to pitch article ideas" became my new BFFs.
My research revealed a couple of interesting gems I'd like to share. First, there seems to be substantial debate in the freelance community as to the value of submitting queries in general. Some argue that pitching article ideas is an essential and potentially highly profitable aspect of building and maintaining your business. Others, including some very well-known freelancers, suggest that you can develop a lucrative career without ever having to query at all. At the end of the day, when you're presented with such strong arguments on both sides, what's a newly-minted freelancer to do?
For me, the answer came from a third freelancer's post that I stumbled upon yesterday morning. I'd heard about the value of submitting to trade publications before, but never in such clear detail. Reading about this largely untapped market gave me the extra dose of courage I needed. It was as if a missing puzzle piece finally clicked into place inside of my brain.
I realized that the marketing experience I had obtained from working in a real estate office for two years translated perfectly to pitching magazines in that industry. Of course I could leverage my expertise there! I already knew the audience, understood their wants and needs and motivations. I already knew what my potential editors would want. Half of the work of my queries was practically done for me! Why hadn't I seen it before?
In the end, my little dilemma taught me two important lessons about freelance writing. First, every writer must forge his or her own path; no two are the same, and what works for one person may prove utterly torturous for another. And second, sometimes the simplest solution to a problem is the best, and is often the one staring you in the face the entire time.
Q&A for the Day: When it comes to article writing, are you a query warrior, or a query-free freelancer? How did you decide whether or not to pitch your favorite publications, and what were the results of your choice?
