Then, have a look at your idea. It should match the publications you'd like to write for. It's smart to identify specific titles that publish the kind of article you want to write. If you're not sure whether your article topic is suitable, check online archives or check a few copies of the magazine out from the library. This also allows you to find out if the magazine has already run an article on the same topic. Remember that topics can be adjusted in tone to fit different publications.
Look at the style and type of articles run by any magazines you're interested in writing for to get an idea of the kind of work that they prefer. You'll want to roughly match these criteria in order to make a successful submission and magazine pitch. Articles that are vastly outside the magazine's existing style won't be accepted.
When looking for places to send your magazine pitch, there are many different options. You can check out magazines you like to read at the library, or buy them at the news stand. Subscription databases, including Writer's Market and Wooden Horse Publishing, are a great source for places to submit your work, and cost only a little each year for the volume and quality of information they offer.
You can also go online to find magazines that don't have a big presence, and spend time in forums and on message boards frequented by writers to find out what they have to say about a given publication. Learn everything you can before you make your pitch, and you'll be able to tailor it to the magazine, increasing your chances of being accepted.
Editorial calendars can help you time your magazine pitch. Often features on websites for the magazine in question, they'll let readers, writers and advertisers know about planned theme issues and other important dates. When you make your pitch, keep these upcoming topics in mind. If you think your article idea is well suited to a particular issue that's on the way, be sure to mention that fact.
This does mean you'll have to plan ahead. Most magazines work under a time table that's a minimum of three months ahead. Christmas articles should be pitched in September, and back to school writing should be pitched by May. Never assume that the magazine will be able to fit you in, or work too close to a deadline. Also, avoid sending a finished article directly to the magazine - this marks you as an inexperienced writer who hasn't learned the etiquette of the business yet.
Instead of sending the entire article without asking, a query is a smarter choice. Get a copy of the writer's guidelines for each magazine, and contact them to find out if your article would work well. Choose a specific editor, if possible - you can even call the magazine and find out who to talk to about your article, as well as their preferred submission format. Some editors like email submissions, while others would rather stick to conventional mailing methods.
Once you know who to send your magazine pitch and how to send it, it's time to write the query letter. Make sure you point out the specific audience you think would be interested in your article, and cite relevant research or statistics in support of your proposal. Include three clips if they're available. Clips are copies of articles you've written, as they appeared when published.
For those who publish mostly online, this may be more difficult, but you can direct editors to samples of your published work instead. Remember to target these samples or clips to the magazine you're querying. General interest magazines should receive a variety of clips, while special interest ones should be given clips that demonstrate expertise in the specific area covered by the magazine.
Fresh ideas are more likely to be accepted by magazines, though an innovative reworking of an older one can work. Targeting your magazine pitch well is vital, since the right magazine will be much more willing to publish your work. Follow all writers’ guidelines closely, and be as professional as possible. All correspondence with editors should be carefully proofread and professionally phrased.
Remember that pay rates vary by publication, as well as by the individual story and the writer's experience. Smaller magazines and writers with smaller clip files will mean a lower rate. You may encounter magazines that pay only in contributor's copies, as well. Some semi-professional markets can pay only a fraction of a cent a word, while professional magazines will usually offer at least a full cent. High-end publications may offer several dollars, but the majority pay below a dollar a word.
Learning to give a good magazine pitch is an important part of any writing career. After all, if you're going to be published, you need to not only write good articles, but to get them out there, too. Tailor your pitch carefully, and send it to the right place, and you'll eventually find a place for your writing.
