Freelance Writing For Trade Magazines

The most visible magazines are mainstreamrestaurant manager? A real estate agent? A
magazines sold on newsstands and in bookstoresroofing contractor? A bricklayer? A computer
to the public. Trade magazines, on the other hand,programmer? Your tax accountant? The third
are more exclusive; they are not sold to theway is the Internet. Find trade magazines at
public at retail chains and they usually circulate toFreebizmag.com, and
the magazine's elite class of subscribers andQuestion #3: What's the best way to pitch an
members. Just as there are countless mainstreamarticle to a trade magazine?
magazines on sports, pets, travel, weddings, andAnswer: Call the editor, tell him what you have in
lifestyle, you can also find just as many trademind, and get feedback. Otherwise, you can send
magazines that cover the same subjects. Writingan email query. Once you have some credits, the
for trade magazines pays well (sometimes higherbest approach is calling the editor. Even if the
than mainstream magazines) and they regularlyeditor doesn't need the story you are pitching, he
use freelance writers.may have one he would like to see, but haven't
Breaking into trade magazines as a freelancefound anyone to do it.
writer can be tricky. Many editors of tradeQuestion #4: What do you do if the trade
magazines choose not to list their writer'smagazine doesn't have writer's guidelines?
guidelines. Editors of trade magazines areAnswer: Less than 10 percent of trade magazines
extremely busy and short-staffed. These editorshave writers' guidelines. If you don't have a copy
avoid having an open call for submissions to avoidof the magazine you want to pitch to, find a way
a ceaseless cycle of reviewing, critiquing andto get one and then go through it to see how the
rejecting unsolicited articles and query letters sentheadlines are put together and how long the
in by writers, non-writers and their moms. You willarticles run. Check the masthead for full-time
not find their writer's guidelines in Writer'sstaff and the number of contributors. Are the
Marketplace and they may not post theircontributors industry gurus or independent writers
guidelines online at their website. Many freelancelike yourself? How much of the magazine is staff
writers break into trade magazines by pitching anwritten? If the trade magazine has one editor and
idea to the editor or contacting the editor directly.he's written more than 60 percent of the
These freelance writers pitch brilliant article ideas,magazine, then he probably needs a good
they've reviewed the magazine in advance, andfreelance writer from time to time.
they aggressively market themselves and theirQuestion # 5: What are some challenges freelance
work with confidence.writers might face with trade magazines?
Here are some frequently asked questions aboutAnswer: The first challenge is finding the people
freelance writing for trade magazines:with the right information. Specialization is a good
Question # 1: What are some advantages ofidea for a trade journalist just as it is for a
writing for trade magazines, as opposed to writingmainstream journalist. You write based on "who"
for mainstream (newsstand) magazines?you know. A second challenge is learning to
Answer: The first advantage is the smallerleverage what you've developed. If you specialize
number of competitors (other freelance writers).in writing on construction, you can also tie this
Many writers, especially amateurs, don't routinelytopic to other industries, such as restaurant
research trade magazines for potential writingmanagement, small hospital management,
assignments. However, this also means it's oftenmanufacturing, hospitality, real estate, golf course
up to you, the writer, to educate an editor on themanagement, etc.
advantage of using your work.Another challenge is to learn discretion. Businesses
The second advantage is that trade magazineshave secrets they don't want their competitors
are usually understaffed. When an editor finds ato know about; they do have techniques or
good freelancer, they not only accept the initialpractices or processes that give them an edge.
story but also ask the writer to accept futureTo maintain your contacts' trust, you must
assignments.develop good judgment about just how much
A third advantage is the reputation you developinformation you can pass along in your article and
when you write for trade magazines within thathow much you can't. Never cheat your contacts.
industry. As your reputation builds, you oftenBe fair with them and they will be fair with you.
experience unexpected opportunities, such asThey may get mad occasionally when they get
referrals and writing assignments from othercalled on a mistake, but as long as it's a fair call,
editors.then you'll keep them.
Question # 2: What's the best research methodQuestion # 6: What other types of articles do
to uncover hard-to-find trade magazines?trade magazines find popular?
Answer: The best method is to find a StandardAnswer: The most popular type of article in trade
Rate & Data for business publications ( Thismagazines is: "Who did what, and why?" Readers
directory contains almost every trade magazinelove to get ideas by seeing what others in their
published in the U.S. Second, find out what yourindustry are doing. They also want to see who's
friends and neighbors read in their business. Dodoing what so they can decide if the article
they have any copies you can borrow? Whatsubject might be a potential customer. "List"
about the mechanic who just fixed your car?articles are another favorite. Trade magazines are
What trades are on his waiting room table? Howwhere people go to talk shop and to see who's
about the barber? How about the manager ofwho, who's new, and what's new.
that gift store near your house? How about the