Advice for a Would-be Writer Targeting Trade Publications

Wednesday, July 1, 2009 | Posted to Light Reading,Thoughts/Inspiration

I’ve been writing for a number of trade publications for close to 20 years, though professionally for only the last seven. A friend recently asked me for advice.

His question? “How would I publish an article in industry publications and where would I begin?” Following is my response.

Do these things:

Get a list of all the related trade publications you’re interested in writing for.
Take a look at the last several issues they’ve published. Most of the publications have past issues archived on their websites.
Check their editorial calendar to see what’s coming up so you know what kind of topics they are looking for.
Make note of the editor, managing editor, and/or editor in chief on the publication’s website.
Put together a brief outline of what you’d like to write about, including why it would fit their editorial calendar and/or why their readers would be interested in it.
Put together some writing samples so you can show them that you can indeed write. It also helps to have different kinds of writing so they can see that you can write with different “voices.”
Call the editor you’ve identified and “pitch” your story.
Send a big “thank you” via snail mail and email; you’d be surprised how many people forget!

Do not do these things:

Don’t expect to get paid lots of money; trade pubs are notoriously short of funds.
Don’t write about someone that is paying you to promote their company. Most trade publications don’t want “promotional pieces.” If the story is good interesting enough, they’ll assign one of their writers to it.

Other thoughts:

Trade magazines generally pay upon publication. If you’re writing a piece for an issue due out in late September, as I am, you’ll get paid after it hits the streets.
You can also make “up close and personal” contact at trade shows where the trade magazines often have a subscription table.
Or you can hang around outside the press room at major events and introduce yourself to anyone who looks interesting coming out. Public relations people are only allowed in to drop PR info, the press folks do their networking there… Be aware that if you do try to catch someone, they may be on their way to an interview, in which case they will probably run you down.
I haven’t come up with an editor that I work with – except for Randy Davidson at WhatTheyThink – that I didn’t meet in person first. Actually, I sent him an email in 2002 and said “I’d like to write for you, and I’ll do it for free…” I figured out not too much longer after that, getting paid is a good thing!
I personally am not adverse to doing one or two short (!) pieces for free if it’s a pub you really want to develop a relationship with. But no more than that, there are folks out there that will suck you dry.

Writing for industry-specific publications – online or off – is a great way to get learn more about an industry or market in which you are already involved. You will get assignments that will require you to call almost anyone and talk about almost anything. It’s not for the faint of heart. If you’re a bit shy in person but more comfortable on the phone, you’ll have a great excuse to call those people you’ve always wanted to meet!

Final bit of advice: never ever miss a deadline! And if you have to turn down an assignment, it’s really good form to be able to recommend someone you know will do a good job in your place. Don’t be afraid that you’ll lose your “place in line,” the editor will appreciate you more.

Good luck, and happy writing!

Add your comment to this post

Your Nickels Worth

Topics

Archives

Meta

Advice for a Would-be Writer Targeting Trade Publications

Leave a Comment

Search this site: