Summarizing Query Letters
Before I get on with the new topic of interviewing others I want to summarize what you need for your query letter. I forgot to do that in the last post.
Keep in mind that the letter is sent to an editor or publisher to introduce them to your article or even to your book idea. The first paragraph is your hook. Your first sentence or paragraph is the hook of your query letter. Editors are very busy and always on deadline. No one has time to read an entire page. If you don’t excite the editor in the first paragraph you’ll receive the standard rejection letter. You may want to use the first paragraph in your letter as the first paragraph in the article.
The second paragraph is your proposal. Briefly summarize the article in one paragraph. You can use this paragraph to build your article outline later.
Your third paragraph is your bio including what qualifies you to write the article you propose.
These are some of the common mistakes authors make when writing a query letter
- The letter is too wordy or vague.
- Make sure you include your email address or a stamped address envelop so that the reader may reply to you.
- Read over the publication you’re querying to find out their style and what topics have been covered.
- Follow the basic rules of letter writing.
- Proof read your letter for spelling and grammar errors.
- I usually suggest possible sidebars or quizzes to complement the main piece
Now for interviewing experts for your articles. My first rule is not to be embarrassed because most professionals, most successful people, love being reminded how successful they are. Interviewing someone just shows you respect their works and expertise. They also want to be interviewed because
- gives them additional good PR
- gives them a chance to tell their agent and publishers they’re being quoted
- gives them something to frame and show their clients
- always good to known someone recognizes your genius.
Before you give them a call make sure you have organized all the questions you want to ask. Avoid yes or no answers. You need open ended questions for good answers. Ask yourself what could this person tell you that no one else can? Then write down your 3 sentence speech telling why you called and what you want to do and log long it will take.
Hi, my name is Ruthan Brodsky and I’m writing an article for ABC magazine, a local business magazine. The article is about DEF and I’m asking to talk to you or one of the experts in your firm about DMS. It shouldn’t take longer than 10 minutes over the phone. Is this a good time for you or should we make an appointment?
Once an arrangement is made write the questions you want to cover in the interview. Keep in mind that the answer to one question may lead more naturally to more questions.
In the meantime consider the possibility working on one of these jobs you can do as a writer.
Acquisitions Editor An acquisition editor is usually associated with book publishers. They help supervise the process of finding additional writers for the publication.
A columnist, on the other hand is a writer of ongoing, usually schedules features. Columnists may also have syndicated their articles to multiple publications.
Much success to your freelance writing process.
Regards,
Ruthan
Ruthan Brodsky
Content Creator and Copywriter
Business Writer
Health Writer
