by Suzan L. Wiener
www.inkthinkerblog.com — Have you ever wondered how some writers get editors to give their queries the go-ahead and have their articles accepted over and over, while others just founder in a hit-or-miss effort? What’s the secret? Knowing how to target your audience, and knowing exactly who you’re writing for.
Here are the tips I follow to help me break into a publication and have a better shot at it.
Know the publication backwards and forwards. Make sure they haven’t done the article recently. Editors can’t put a similar article in even if they like it a lot. Don’t be afraid to stretch your imagination.
Network with other writers to get ideas and find out what is going on in the writing world. Even if you haven’t done that a lot, it is a good idea to start. Never be shy when it comes to finding out information that will be invaluable to you. Website forums are a rich source of potential markets.
Have confidence in yourself as a writer. Hit the big markets like Ladies’ Home Journal, Elle, and Glamour. Remember, all they can say is no. If one editor doesn’t like it, perhaps another will.
Strive to give the editor something different that will make them sit up and take notice. Make your query/submission an eye-opener and they will have to buy it.
Pretend you actually have an assignment already, and work as though you are doing it as an employee in their company. This will give you more of an edge than someone who is writing an article without any target at all.
Don’t just send in one article. Try sending in submissions to various publications so you will have a much better chance of getting that most-wanted acceptance. You won’t spend time worrying about one article since you will be writing a lot.
It’s always easier to write about subjects with which you have some familiarity. That being said, there’s nothing to stop you from trying something new, provided that you’re willing to put in the time to do quality research. Nothing will turn an editor off faster than a writer who presents an article which contains facts that are known to be wrong or ideas that are misconstrued due to inadequate or faulty research.
Learn the language. Most subjects have key phrases that all readers understand. Look for them during your research. Using them correctly will help make you part of the “in” crowd in an editor’s mind.
By targeting your potential audience, you should be much more successful in your desire to be a full-time writer. You will save effort, and you won’t be wasting time and postage sending to markets which won’t be receptive to your work. Above all, never give up.
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Suzan L. Wiener has had numerous articles on writing, stories and shorter pieces published by many major publications such as Canadian Writer’s Journal, MetroSeven, The Writer’s Ezine, Verses, Complete Woman, Mature Living, Mature Years, Reader’s Digest, and the Saturday Evening Post.
Although this article was published by Kristen King, the original author retains all copyright and should be contacted for reprint requests.
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