How to Become a Freelance Magazine Article Writer

Working as a freelance writer offers several advantages including flexibility, financial reward and personal growth. Breaking into the field of magazine writing can be done with a few hints and planning ahead. Read on to learn how to become a freelance magazine article.

Instructions

1. Think about the magazines you enjoy reading. That's a good place to start, as it makes you educated about the target market of the publication. If it is parenting, travel, interior design or cooking, using your background as a hobbyist can be a starting point.

2. Once you narrow in on your target subjects, a visit to the library or bookstore can shed light on magazines in those niches. Some of the magazines may be ones you haven't discovered. Group the prospects together by subject, so when you are writing query letters you can mail or email like magazines.

3. Try and come up with a unique story idea. This is the challenging part in the freelance writing arena. Magazines are searching for fresh editorial content to spark readers' interest while also providing some enlightening information. Think about what would be interesting for you to read. That's a good baseline.

4. Prepare a query letter. Check the magazine's website for submission guidelines, and stick to them. The query letter should be free of grammatical errors, and well-written, concise and well-planned. A short explanation of your article, with some sources that you will quote, and the benefit to their readers should be clearly outlined. It should not leave the editor with lingering questions. It is OK to pitch several magazines at once.

5. Be patient. Editors are deluged with queries, which is on top of their demanding workloads. Keep trying to think of innovative story ideas, and the nods should start. It's a competitive market, but there is work available.