5 Quick Tips for Breaking Into Magazines

• Treat writing as a business, rather than a hobby.
  There's nothing wrong with hobby writing (stories for your kids, writing in your journal, etc.) but it's not the same as paid writing or writing as a career. Writing is an art form, but to make a living at it, you need business skills. You are selling a product and you have to take care of the marketing, the billing, and the customer service—as well as managing your daily workload of projects.
  
  
• Follow the right process.
  Instead of writing a story up front and sending it without any guarantee of getting paid for your efforts (this is called "writing on spec"), always send a story pitch—or query letter—first. This is an outline of your idea, listing what experts you might interview and mentioning any relevant recent research on the topic.
  
  
• Before you query, study the magazine you're pitching very carefully.
  Understand what the magazine covers—and what it doesn't. For example, don't pitch a personal essay if you don't see any personal essays in the magazine. Also, notice the bylines for each section—are they staff bylines (check the masthead), does it appear to be a regular columnist, or are there lots of different bylines? Mimic the voice of the magazine in your query letter to show that you can write in that style.
  
  
• Work via email.
  It's relatively easy to get general email formats for most magazines (especially when they're owned by big conglomerates that use the same formula company-wide, such as Rodale, Meredith, or Time Inc.). Paste your queries into the body of an email to the right editor (check the masthead for name spelling, or call to confirm). Include a brief introduction of who you are and why are you are the right person to write the story. Be confident, but humble.
  
  
• Ignore advice that says to snail mail queries.
  I don't know anyone who does this anymore. There might be the occasional editor who absolutely requires it, but in general, magazine guidelines that tell you to snail mail with a SASE are just trying to separate the newbies from the pros. If you pitch an idea to an editor and don't hear back after a few weeks, don't be afraid to send a polite follow up. Editors are extremely busy people, and ideas fall through the cracks sometimes. Be assertive, but don't be a pest.

• Writers come from varied backgrounds.
  You don't have to have an English or journalism degree. Many writers have degrees in science, arts, nursing, or other fields. What you do need: strong writing and research skills, curiosity, marketing-savvy, and ability to meet deadlines. Editors constantly report that a huge percentage of their writers don't meet deadlines. You won't get repeat work if you don't follow through.
  
  
• Remember that magazines need freelance writers.
  A great majority of magazines are based in New York City and are very urban, coast-centric. They need ideas from all over the country and they want to form relationships with reliable, talented writers. There are dozens of niche magazines—parenting, technology, health, art, politics, travel, science, etc. If you are an expert in an area (especially a niche area) AND you can write well, that is a good start. Example: dieticians who pitch stories about nutrition, or doctors who can write about health.
  
  
• Local is a good place to start, but you can't make a living writing only for low-paying markets.
  When I first started freelancing, I would get $25 - $50 for 800 - 1,000 word stories for local publications. Now, I usually get $1 to $2/word or more because I focus mostly on national magazines. Writing for local markets is a good way to build clips and confidence, but don't tread in the low-paying waters too long. Think big!
  
  
• Selling writing is a numbers game; be able to handle rejection.
  If you want to write for magazines, you have to pitch a lot, and a many of your pitches will probably be ignored or rejected. Keep tweaking them and resending them to other magazines. Any response from a busy editor is good, especially if they encourage you to send more ideas.
  
  
• Writing is solitary, but it's important to network with other writers.
  Keep current on what's going on, go to events and conferences, meet other writers, and join online forums. You'll find all kinds of valuable information (like the aforementioned emailed formulas of magazines). Networking will also help you boost your business. I get a lot of leads and referrals from other writers, and I try to return the favor when I can.
  
  
• Don't forget about writing for corporations.
  Copywriting (writing copy for Web sites, catalogs, newsletters, brochures, sell sheets, white papers, annual reports, etc.) can be lucrative. Network with business owners to find out what writing needs they might have. Good copywriting is about writing clearly and concisely, and adopting the appropriate tone and style for your client.

• Six-Figure Freelancing, by Kelly James-Enger
  
  
• The Renegade Writer: A Totally Unconventional Guide to Freelance Writing and The Renegade Writer's Query Letters That Rock, both by Linda Formichelli and Diana Burrell
  
  
• The ASJA Guide to Freelance Writing, edited by Timothy Harper
  
  
• Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer: How to Win Top Writing Assignments, by Jenna Glatzer
  
  
• Pen on Fire: A Busy Woman's Guide to Igniting the Writer Within, by Barbara DeMarco-Barrett
  
  
• The Well-Fed Writer, by Peter Bowerman
  
  
• The Complete Idiot's Guide to Business Plans, by Gwen Moran and Sue Johnson. (Some of it is general business advice, but it also applies to starting a writing business, especially since Moran is a highly successful freelance writer.)
  
  
• The Writer magazine. This monthly magazine has lots of good articles for magazine and fiction writers. They do market guides too.
  
  
• Writer's Digest magazine. Information on markets, contests, and other things of interest to writers.
  
  
• The Writer's Market books and database. A word of advice: I think the WM books are great for brainstorming and finding out about new markets. However, I personally would not rely on any of the contact information in WM. It's often completely wrong or outdated by the time it hits the bookshelves.
  
  
• ASJA.org. I've been a member of the American Society of Journalists & Authors for a few years, and I think it's a good resource for both new and experienced writers. You need some basic credentials (a certain amount of national writing clips) to join, but there is plenty of advice and resources for non-members on this site. Also, ASJA organizes a yearly writers' conference in New York City, which I highly recommend (members and non-members attend).
  
  
• FreelanceSuccess.com. I rely daily on the professional writers' forum at Freelance Success (FLX for short). It's a great place to ask questions, get advice, and network with other writers. There's also a weekly market guide—so each week, you get information about paying markets. Anyone can join FLX—it's about $100/year, and well worth it.
  
  
• Ed2010.com. This organization was started by a group of young editors who wanted to help other editors and writers find their dream jobs. Ed does a great job of listing job openings. They also list freelance work from time to time, and there are some good blogs. It's free.
  
  
• MediaBistro.com I don't use this site much myself, but for a fee (I think around $50) you can get access to "How to Pitch" market guides. There are also message boards, articles on writing, writers' blogs, and information about MB networking events in various cities.
  
  
• Lastly, I don't rely too much on resources like Craigslist, Wooden Horse, or Journalism Jobs, but I know writers who take the time to sort through the many low-paying lists do find some gems from these places.