Become a Magazine or Newspaper Columnist
Posted on September 26, 2007
A column gives you a continuous platform for communicating with your target audience (and the “about” section at the bottom of your column will promote your book). Sure, this is no easy feat. Or is it?
If you’re a business writer, getting a column in Fast Company magazine may be difficult, but you may be able to find a local or regional publication that would be honored to have your contribution. Start by building a relationship with the publication editor. Submit a few article queries to him. Do some research to help determine a great column topic that will serve the publication (which, it just so happens, you can write). Then pitch your idea.
Become a Reporter: Considering the above strategy, let’s say there isn’t enough compelling information to write about on an ongoing basis (even though you’ve written a book on your subject ☺). Interviewing other authors, experts and industry leaders is a terrific way to develop new content, discover unique insights, and perhaps more importantly, gain access to people who may have been unreachable before. Moreover, it may be easier for you to sell a magazine editor on an article about a higher-profile author/expert than to pitch yourself.
For more information check out Matthew Ricketson’s book, Writing Feature Stories.
This post is an excerpt from the FREE Become a Best-Selling Author eBook, 60 Effective Strategies for Selling More Books. Download it here.
Posted in Writing
Submitting Articles for Publication
Posted on September 21, 2007
Published articles are a terrific way to build your platform. They can introduce a large number of people to your work, directing the readership to you via a contact line at the end of the article. The process for getting an article published is similar to getting a book published (but less involved).
You’ll need to craft a compelling query letter (comparable to your book proposal) targeted to specific magazine editors. Most magazines have different formats for article submissions. These guidelines are generally found on their websites.
Tips on writing an article that makes it to press:
- Be concise and descriptive.
- Create titles that will grab the reader’s attention.
- Explore the unexplored—make your article as fresh and unique as you can.
- Work to create relationships with magazine editors in your market. Find out what they need/want and do your best to serve them.
Marcia Yudkin has a number of useful articles and resources for getting started: www.yudkin.com/publish.htm
This post is an excerpt from the FREE Become a Best-Selling Author eBook, 60 Effective Strategies for Selling More Books. Download it here.
Posted in Writing
