I’ll admit it: I hate querying. My ideal gig involves a handful of editors at my dream markets having my contact info memorized so they can tap me for stories on my specialties. Or we’d be so familiar that I could send out a simple two-liner describing my idea and land a feature assignment.
Sadly, it doesn’t work that way for most freelancers, at least not initially. And even seasoned pros with solid “bread-and-butter” gigs still have to pitch new-to-them markets.
So if we must query, we may as well enjoy it, right? Learning the art and craft of good query writing will increase our chances of nailing those dream gigs. Plus, it does get easier with time and practice.
Today’s post details some of the basics of crafting good queries, with a seasoning of tasty tips from The Renegade Writer to help you kick it up a notch.
The most important thing to remember about querying is that it’s much more than a request for work: it’s a chance to show off your writing style. If your queries read like a dry cover letter for a resume, you’re not going to get much work. Capturing the style and tone of your target market will show the editor that you’ve done your homework and will make a great fit for their magazine.
One key area where it doesn’t pay to be a renegade: grammar and spelling. You really have to nail this aspect in your queries, and if you need a second pair of eyes to double check your work, don’t be shy about asking. A caveat to this is that if you do make a mistake, don’t sweat it, and definitely don’t write the editor to point out your mistakes after hitting "send."
There are variations on this theme, but all queries should include three basic elements:
The intro – here’s where you grab the editor’s attention. If your first few sentences bore the editor, why should he or she bother to keep reading? You want to engage your reader immediately – remember the phrase, “Life isn’t a dress rehearsal?” Well, your queries should read like a final, polished product. This is the first sample of your writing the editor will see, and your chance to shine. Querying is not the time to be timid or modest!
Not only should you write the intro to your query as your article would read, but it’s also a great idea to cite statistics or use a quote from a source here, too. This shows your editor you’ve done your homework and given some thought to your idea.
The scoop – this is the meat and potatoes of your query, where you let the editor know the scope of your article and include lively quotes and research to make it come to life. Traditionalists advise that no query should be longer than one page, and in general, writers should structure their queries to match the length of the article. But "Renegade Writers" kick this up a notch and consistently nail the sale. Part of this really depends upon the publication and the editor. Some are sticklers for tradition. Others will entertain a 4-page query because it means less work for them in terms of fleshing out and defining the assignment with the writer. The main body of your query is where you sell the idea, or "hook," and share research, statistics, and even quotes from experts or everyday people who experienced things first-hand.
Your intro – this is the least comfortable area for new writers, but if your credentials are thin, don’t advertise it. “Golly gee, I’m a new writer, and I’ve only written articles for my church newsletter but I love your magazine and have dreamed of writing for you for years” is not the way to wow your editor.
First of all, a savvy editor will realize you haven’t written for Better Homes and Gardens and Family Circle when you don’t mention any big names like these in your pitch. But, having thin clips isn’t an automatic deal breaker. In fact, The Renegade Writer discounts the idea that you have to start with smaller markets and earn your dues. Second, calling attention to your shortcomings is a surefire way to tank any marketing scheme, and make no mistake: querying is marketing your writing skills to editors. For those uncomfortable about marketing yourselves because it feels like selling out or seems phony: get over it. The only way out is through here, folks. It’s been my experience that those who lament “sell-outs” don’t tend to be terribly successful in general, and who has time for that? Shake off that position of insecurity and pitch from a position of power and confidence. Nutshell: don’t sweat newbie status; if your querying is smart, savvy, well-researched and in keeping with the magazine’s style and history, even the newest of newbies can and do score assignments.
Finally, how to send your query? One of the most helpful tips The Renegade Writer offers is to enter the electronic age. Sure, the online writers’ guidelines and the blurb in The Writer’s Market tell you where you can put your SASE. What most writers starting out don’t know is that often those snail mailed queries end up in a slush pile that may never see the light of day. By networking with other writers (another thing you’re simply going to have to get over in the writing business is a fear of networking) and joining professional writing sites such as Freelance Success or Media Bistro, you will net essential scoop such as the e-mail formats and contact names of magazines’ editorial staff. Find this info, and use it.
For more info, I recommend you run, don’t walk to pick up a copy of “The Renegade Writer” by Diana Burrell and Linda Formichelli and also Lisa Collier Cool’s classic-but- still-useful “How to Write Irresistible Query Letters.” Both offer a solid understanding of good structure and form.
We’d love to hear about your successes and missteps, as writers learn best by doing. Please come and post on our message boards about your experiences sending out queries, and ask any questions you might have, too.
