How to Contact a Magazine Editor

Magazine editors work months ahead on issues and need information early on.

People contact magazine editors to pitch story ideas, to get their own business or product featured in an article or merely to comment on a recent magazine issue. Contacting magazine editors -- and hopefully getting a response -- requires connecting with those who cover your topic and taking time to draft well-composed, insightful letters or queries.

Things You'll Need

• Email software or stationery

Instructions

1. Open the magazine to the masthead page at the front of the publication. The masthead lists the magazine's staff, including various editors and their titles and departments, and the publication's main mailing address, email address and phone number. Follow the magazine's instructions for contacting editors and submitting letters or queries, if listed. Otherwise, choose the editor who covers most closely the subject of your query. if your subject is landscaping, for example, look for the gardening editor.

2. Research the editor's magazine. Be able to demonstrate your knowledge of its content, purpose, types of readers and circulation size in your contact with the editor. Since magazine editors work on issues months in advance, know the editor's deadlines and submit your information on time.

3. Draft your letter or query. Introduce yourself in the opening paragraph, then describe the information you have and how it benefits the editor. Write short and precise sentences and keep the content focused. Reread and proof your copy before sending it to the editor. Aim for flawless grammar, punctuation, spelling and language use.

Tips & Warnings

• Few magazine editors have time to field cold calls, so stick with the editor's preferred method of communication, which tends to be electronic writing.

• If a magazine fails to list in the masthead the name of the editor specializing in your topic, call or email the magazine or contact your local library for the name. Then follow up directly with the editor.

• Draft your query or letter with the editor's needs in mind -- not yours -- to Increase your chances of getting a response. Explain how an upgrade in your cleaning product can save magazine readers time or how your story idea on alternative energy can help them save on fuel. Offer to keep the editor up to date on changes in your industry. Building a trusting and mutually beneficial relationship with the magazine editor is the goal. Keep the editor's contact information on file for future contact.

• If you do not hear back from the magazine editor within three weeks, send a short followup letter asking about the letter or query's status. Use the same communication method as the initial contact.

• Always follow an editor's preferences for receiving information or risk rejection.

• Also, avoid contacting magazine editors through general mailing and email addresses. Letters and queries sent to these locations, and poorly written drafts, rarely get answered.

References

• The Entreprenette Gazette; How to Approach a Magazine Editor; Sarah Shaw; Aug. 31, 2010