Posts
Clips are copies of your published work (include only the page with your
byline when attaching to a query) which prove your work has been published in a
specific publication. The more clips you have from different publications, the
more experienced and professional you appear. Thus, clips are $$$.
Breaking into the big bucks—$200
to $500 per story— is like saving money for an expensive item. It’s best to use
a step-up-the-ladder approach.
Editors of high-paying markets rarely
look at the work of unknown writers. Start building your list of published credits by sending
your work to blogs and e-zines, and later to newspapers and smaller publications.
Blogs get your name out, and not just through your own site, but as a guest
blogger on someone else’s. It’s a mistake to think that because blog owners
seldom pay monetary rewards, that they’ll publish anything. Think again. Send
only your best. Many blog owners receive numerous articles to choose from, so
yours still must shine if you want to see your byline, and you do need the
credit.
You may even be invited to serve as
a regular contributor for a certain topic, at which point your cover letter can
legitimately say, “I am a columnist for Joe Schmoe’s Coffee-time Chatter (URL).
Let’s face it – it’d be a tad more impressive to state that you’re a columnist
for someone else’s blog, rather than simply the author of your own. The point
you’ll get across to an editor is that someone else took a chance on your work.
Your next step is to land space in a print publication. Though newspaper
editors appreciate freelancers with writing credits, they are easier to break
into than magazines. To get in the door, submit a letter to the editor on a
timely topic you feel passionate about that will interest area readers. This is
one of the easiest and fastest credits to obtain. On your next cover letter, mention
your writing has appeared in “Such and Such” newspaper.
Small publications are often open to new writers. Although low or
non-paying, these markets maintain standards as high as that for larger paying
markets. Send your best.
Once you’ve accumulated clips from
non-paying markets, you’re ready to step up a rung on the ladder to writing
success. Now write a cover letter listing your experience, attach a few clips
and query an editor paying $5 to $25 per story or article. Once your byline
appears in a few small publications, you step up the ladder again. It’s time to
submit to a market paying $50. Accumulate as many clips as your creative brain
will allow.
During your climb to writing success,
there may come a time another aspiring writer who has not yet been published
(remember when?) requests an interview, with plans to write a profile on you.
Voila! Although you won’t be the writer
for this article, it will be about
you as a writer. You may use this in your clips.
The markets shelling out $100 and more
per story are becoming scarce; hence, they perch at the top of the ladder. It’s
a long climb, but with persistence—and good writing—you’ll get there. Remember,
you need to start at step one, paid or not, to arrive at step two, then three,
and so on. Pay attention to the smaller markets; they are a key to your future
success.
Try the ladder approach to marketing. Before you know it, you’ll be just
one clip away from the big guys.
Contest:
Enter to win! Edit and/or evaluate the above article, post it in the comments below
or email it to kimberlyseditingroom@gmail.com. You may win a free edit and evaluation on ten
pages of your writing. As a freelance and ghost editor, Kimberly loves the red
pen. Put yours to use. The best review of this article wins! Deadline: 9-14-12
No comments:
Post a Comment