You don’t just need a great idea to land your byline in a magazine – you need to sell that idea to an editor with a successful query letter. Learning how to write a query letter for a magazine is one of the top skills a freelance writer can adopt. Sometimes called a pitch letter, these correspondences will ideally grab the editor’s attention and convince them that their magazine simply must have your article in its pages.
What is a Query Letter?
A query letter is the first step to getting published in print . It introduces the writer and his potential article to an editor of a publication. The letter is typically no more than one page. It should be both informative and persuasive. The writer is not only answering “who, what, where, when, why and how” – he is also making a sales pitch for himself and his work. Query letters can be creative, but most editors prefer them to remain professional at the same time. Ideally the letter will stick in the editor’s head long after she is done reading it.
Before Writing a Pitch Letter
Even the best ideas might not make the best fit for a particular magazine. Before working on your pitch, browse through some past copies of a publication. If they recently printed a similar piece to your article, they might not be interested in yours right away. Also make sure that your idea really fits with the magazine’s usual work. Look for more than just a relevant topic; make sure you can match the magazine’s voice. Also keep in mind that magazines will typically work six months in advance. If you submit a summer piece in late spring, you will miss the boat – even if your work is innovative and inspiring.
Qualities of Successful Query Letters
They have an immediate attention-grabber. For a traditional letter this should be the opening sentence. For emails, it could be the subject line. They are written in the same voice the article will be written. Queries for sassy magazines will need a sassy tone, and queries for to-the-point informative magazines will need a straight-forward style. They answer why an article belongs in that magazine. They are customized for that specific publication. Don’t let an editor suspect that the same query letter was sent to several magazines. Make it personal. They include enough information that the editor knows what your article is about, but not so much that they can predict your article from start to finish. Consider the query letter a teaser. If the editor wants to know more, she’ll know the readers will too.
What to Include With a Magazine Query Letter
If you are sending the query letter traditionally through snail mail, a self-addressed stamped envelope is usually required. Writers will often send copies of their résumé, especially if they positioning themselves as an expert on a certain topic. If you have relevant clips, send these along with your query letter. Show the editor exactly what you can do.