How to Become a Magazine Freelance Writer

Magazine freelance writers set their own schedule and often have a short commute from their bedroom to their office. Many writers write on topics they know a lot about or can easily call a few close friends to use as sources. There are certain steps writers need to follow if they want to write articles for magazines. Following these steps is not a 100 percent guarantee that you will make a six-figure income as a writer, but you will most likely get some responses from magazine editors and see your articles in print.

Instructions

1. Brainstorm possible ideas for articles. These can be topics you already know about or are interested in. Look at the topic from all angles, and don't just stop at the obvious, most typical angle. Magazine editors are looking for a new spin on an old topic. For example, many women's magazines want articles about weight loss. Can you give them an article about saving money on healthy food while losing weight? Make a list of all the possible topics you can, and save this list.

2. Research the magazine market. You must be familiar with magazines and read back issues of a magazine before you query the editor. Find a copy of the magazine at a library or bookstore. Look for a website, and see if you can get a sample copy mailed to you or if there are sample articles on-line. One advantage of having the magazine in front of you is you can look at the masthead to find the specific name of an editor to query. If at all possible, do not address your query as: To Whom It May Concern. Do a little homework, and find out the name of an editor.

3. Construct the perfect query letter. Your query letter must catch the editor's attention with a good hook and a short synopsis of your article idea. Query letters should ideally be one-page long. List any writing credits you have or credentials for writing the article in the last paragraph of your query letter. Send published clips and an self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) with your letter, so the editor gets a feel for your writing style and can contact you easily. Send this query letter and additional material to more than one editor as long as your article would fit in more than one magazine. Just make sure you keep a record of who you send the query to and that you tell the editors that you are querying multiple places.

4. Read a magazine's guidelines carefully before you send anything out. All magazines have certain guidelines and documents to include when querying. Some magazines will want a resume with your query letter, some will want published clips, and some will want an outline. Read these guidelines carefully.

5. Start brainstorming for another article, do your market research,and send out more queries. To be a successful magazine freelance writer, you will need to have several queries circulating at one time. Editors are slow, so don't put all your faith in one editor or one article idea.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy a writers' market guide at your local bookstore if you want to be a magazine freelance writer. These guides often list trade and general magazines along with submission guidelines, editors' names, and website addresses. A market guide is an invaluable resource for a freelance writer.

• Send your query letter to the top, national magazines first. This is where you will be paid the best. If you receive a lot of rejections, then you can try a smaller market until you build a portfolio of published clips.

• Don't call an editor to discuss your idea if you have never worked with this person before. Editors are busy. Use the method of communication they have listed in their guidelines, so you don't get a bad reputation.