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How to Write a Query Letter

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic (by 5 people)   Your rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic

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Rated G. (Control what you see)

An Important Skill for Freelance Writers

If you want to write for magazines and newspapers, you need to learn how to write a query letter.

Your first step is to find a market to submit your work and to come up with ideas. Then, you will write a query to pitch an idea to the publication.

This is one of the things that frightened me in the beginning ... until I developed a system. So, I decided to put together a lens that could help you, too! 

Here are the steps...
 

Paragraph 1- The Teaser 

This paragraph sets up the article. It's the teaser - the thing that makes the editor want to read more.

This is where you set the scene. For example, if your article is about your local state fair, spend the first paragraph talking about what you see around you.

This paragraph can become the first paragraph of your article so write it with that in mind.

Paragraph 2 - Article Details 

This paragraph gives the article an idea of exactly what the article is all about. Include the following information, plus anything else you think is important.
  • Word count
  • Article title
  • Subject of article
  • Supporting details - things that the article will cover
  • Any interviews you will need (or already have)
  • Anything else you think is important.

Paragraph 3 - Why the Article Fits in the Publication 

This paragraph talks about why the article is a good fit in the magazine. Talk about the readers and the demographic and why the article is something they will enjoy, learn from, etc...

Paragraph 4 - Your Qualifications 

Why are you the right person to write this article? This paragraph talks about that. Also list any places your work has been published.

If your article is about Oktoberfest in Munich, for example, this paragraph could start out - "When I lived in Munich, I made it a yearly tradition to visit Oktoberfest at least once during the festivities. In addition, I am a freelance writer and my work has been published in..."

You get the picture. :)

Books about Writing 

How to Write a Great Query Letter

Amazon Price: $0.80 (as of 10/13/2008)

How to Write Irresistible Query Letters

Amazon Price: $11.69 (as of 10/13/2008)

How Many Queries Do You Ne ed? 

There's no good answer for this. I wrote thirty queries before I landed an assignment. Some people write one query and get an assignment from that. It all depends on several factors, most of which you can't control. Just be consistent and stick to it. You'll succeed!

Make Money Online, One Step at a Time 

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I Just Bought Six Figure Freelancer ... 

One thing I've learned is that making a complete living writing queries is not entirely possible, at least for me. I have to supplement that with writing for businesses.

I learned of a writer who makes a Six Figure Salary as a writer and explains in plain English how to go about doing that. Six Figure Freelancer tells you exactly how you can increase your earnings and make a Six Figure Salary as a writer.

What do you think? 

WritingforYourWealth

Nice article. It's a lot more work getting gigs with offline venues, but they usually pay more than websites. ;)

Posted July 30, 2008

qlcoach

Yes, bravo! Aspiring writers need to learn the science and skill of sending out query letters. Please feel free to interact with our lense too:
http://www.squidoo.com/groups/publishingclub

Sincerely: Gary Eby, author and therapist

Posted July 10, 2008

MicheleT

Excellent information. Loved it so much, I Stumbled it! ;-)

Posted June 17, 2008

MicheleT

Excellent information. Loved it so much, I Stumbled it! ;-)

Posted June 17, 2008

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kohuether

About kohuether

My name is Katherine Huether and I am a writer, editor, and herbalist. I have a BA in Engish from the University of New Hampshire and a Diploma in Herbal Studies from the Australasian College of Health Sciences. My work has been published in Herbs for Health, Herb Quarterly, Dollar Stretcher, Transitions Abroad, Family Circle, and others. I am also a copywriter, ghost writer, and internet marketer.

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