SiteYou Ask, We Answer: Am I giving away too much?
Priscilla writes: “I have a question about sharing freelance contacts. I’m of the belief that good pitches and good writing get the go-ahead, that there is always room for good writers, and that holding back an email or editor’s name doesn’t help me write better or hold back a good writer, although it may delay them a bit from getting ‘in.’ Maybe I’m not as territorial as I should be? I’ve been burned before, so I don’t let anyone use my name unless that writer passes my ‘worthy’ test, and I usually do a little background work on writers who ask for contacts in any case, but generally I tend to share basic contacts or info about the pubs I write for pretty freely. I’d love to hear how you handle requests for contacts, etc.”
Priscilla, I’m with you: I’m happy to share market information with other writers. I think giving market details to other writers is a smart business practice as well as being nice. When you share information with other writers, other writers will share information with you. I can think of many times I got assignments with the help of other writers: My first Complete Idiot’s Guide assignment came about when a writer posted to a forum that her agent was looking for business writers. A few months ago, a friend of mine recommended me to her editor at a custom publishing company, and not only did this editor give me assignments — he recommended me to another editor at the same company, and now I get work from both of them. And I was thrilled a few weeks ago to get an e-mail from an editor at a health magazine that I like saying that another writer recommended me — and would I like to do an assignment that pays well and requires me to try out expensive beauty products for free?
Also, although I’m happy to share market info with individual writers, I’m not as willing to post that same information where lots and lots of writers might see it and bombard the editor with pitches. I’m nice, but I’m not stupid. ;-> A story to illustrate how this can happen: There’s a custom publishing company that I had been writing for regularly since 1999. Last summer, a big writer’s site did a market guide on the company. Now I can’t get the editors at this company to give me the time of day, and haven’t gotten an assignment since then! (There have been staffing changes that might account for this, but I feel that the market guide also had an effect.)
I haven’t been burned by writers using my name with editors (yet), but I know others who have been, so if I don’t know a writer and her work, I ask her to not mention my name to the editor. If I know the writer well, I’ll tell her to feel free to use my name, or will even offer to contact the editor on her behalf (if I have a close relationship with the editor).
What do you think about sharing market info with other writers: Smart and nice or stupid and business-wrecking? [lf]
7 Responses to “You Ask, We Answer: Am I giving away too much?”
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Valeria D'Alcantara
Said this on May 3rd, 2007 at 9:08am:It seems to me that building community isn’t too far different from judiciously “giving away too much”. I say share wisely. I know that I’ve benefited from established writers giving me the name of their agent or a great source.
Melissa Barton
Said this on May 3rd, 2007 at 10:39am:I’m generally in favor of sharing, especially as a relatively new writer. I’ve received good tips on friendly markets from other writers at a similar career stage and I hope I’ve given the same. It wouldn’t make as much sense to me for a very established and a very new writer to share contacts.
Rachel
Said this on May 3rd, 2007 at 11:14am:I’ve had some people go out of their way to get me in contact with editors, something I’m still shocked about. I’m talking about some Really Big Places– mainstream media type orgs.
I also tend to try to help people, but they must also pass the test. The easiest way for me? Helping out freelance photogs
Not too worried about competition with that one!
Susan
Said this on May 3rd, 2007 at 11:48am:Definitely share wisely. If I see a market that might be a great fit for my pal the food writer, I’ll pass it along and she’ll do the same for me. I’ve gotten several assignments this way. However, it can be awkward if you recommend someone by name and they flake out.
Karen
Said this on May 3rd, 2007 at 12:15pm:I just got my first assignment from my favorite magazine because another writer friend paved the way. I’m all about paying it forward, so I can’t wait for my turn to do just that. But I understand that respecting editors is part of the equation. To that point, I am wondering: how do you assess another writer’s talent and professionalism if you don’t know him or her, and he or she is blindly asking for a contact?
Leslie
Said this on May 3rd, 2007 at 1:26pm:I think it’s a great idea to play matchmaker and try to steer business towards a fellow writer, especially if you think they know more know about the particular topic than you. It’s all part of that newtork thing. And yes, you do need to know people you are recommending.
LindaFormichelli
Said this on May 3rd, 2007 at 2:15pm:Good question, Karen. I just divide all writers who ask for editor info into “I know her and her work” and “I never heard of her and/or I haven’t seen her work.” If someone falls into the second group, I might offer up the editor’s name but not give her e-mail address (it’s easy to find magazines’ e-mail formulas anyway) or offer to make an introduction. I also ask writers who fall into that second group not to use my name when contacting the editor. After all, my butt is on the line, too, and if a writer I recommend flakes on an assignment it makes me look bad.