Girls Mag Writers: Breaking Into The Game

As ladies, we have an edge over men when it comes to our abilities to listen and to communicate. When we combine those qualities with strong writing talents, we will be able to become topnotch stories and feature writers for magazines. However as anyone who has attempted to build a name in magazine writing knows, it's not necessarily straightforward to break into and stay in the game. These are some tips to give you an edge.

Build a Portfolio

If you want to be a magazine writer, you are going to need a portfolio of published work. If you haven't been broadcast, begin writing for the Web - it's the most straightforward place to get published nowadays. If you can't get a paid writing gig, then write for free - but make sure that the pieces you write have your byline. You may write for your own site or blog; just make absolutely certain that you're exquisite with your writing style and grammar, and avoid ranting about debatable topics.

Whether you have got a fistful of clippings or only have one or two links, it's vital to get your portfolio on the web. Keep in mind that content on the Internet is consistently changing, so don't depend on links to your articles. If you have Web content in your portfolio, take a screen shot of your piece and make it into a PDF file. The same is true for your print articles. Editors don't want to receive a stack of copied clippings; they would like to be well placed to see your work with one or two button clicks. So turn your portfolio into a group of PDFs and put them on your website.

Find Your Niche

If you're a good writer, you can very likely write about nearly any topic. Nevertheless, to market yourself, it is smart to find your niche. Maybe you excel in digging into medical journals and writing about health topics. Maybe you're an ace interviewer and can write remarkable profiles. It might be that you have a depth and breadth of knowledge on the subject of a specific subject, eg women's barrenness. Or, perhaps you have got a natural capability to write for a teen readership. Understanding your niche will help you pitch the right topics to the right magazines.

Be Pitch Perfect

Most magazine editors receive pitches from many self employed staff each week. To get spotted, your pitch needs to be wonderful. Start by doing your research, and only pitch to mags that fit your niche. Don't overlook local or regional mags; in reality savvy writers can turn their regional writing into syndicated pieces that they can sell repeatedly again.

It's also necessary to make your pitch express. If you are going to pitch an article about women's infertility, for instance, tell the editor the angle you are going to use and why it's fresh, the specialists you're going to interview, and what her readers will get out of the article. Suggest sidebars and, if you can provide design, include that as well.

Underpromise and Overdeliver

After you get the gig, make sure you're every editor's dream-come-true. Submit your article early, provide the names and contact information of your sources so that they can be fact-checked, and don't whine if you need to do a revision or 2. Once your piece is broadcast, drop the editor a thank-you note and make her aware that you'd like to work with her again. That way, you're sure to be at the top of her list the next time she is giving out assignments, and you'll be a bone fide women's mag writer!

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