SiteBreaking a Broken Rule
In early November I decided to target custom publishers to let them know about the wonderfulness that is me. Of course, my first instinct was to shoot all the publishers an e-mail letting them know who I am and offering to send clips as attachments. But I was actually missing the old days, when I would send query packets via good, old fashioned snail mail. There was something meditative about printing letters, signing them, copying clips, copying and stapling clips, paper-clipping my business card to the letters, and addressing and stamping envelopes. How satisfying to have a nice stack of white, 9×12 envelopes ready to go out in the mail!
So I decided to break my e-mail rule and mail my letter and clips to 36 custom publishers.
I’m writing this in early February, and I have gotten an assignment from one magazine at a dollar a word (which I had to turn down because I was busy, but which my husband took). I heard from one publisher about the possibility of my writing for a drug company website, and another about writing for his custom pub group. And tomorrow, I have a phone call scheduled with a custom publisher who needs some travel writing done.
The thing about The Renegade Writer is that it’s about doing what works for you — experimenting to figure out which of the rules you should stick with and which you should ditch. I broke the “no e-mail” rule and had great luck with it…and then I broke my “e-mail only” rule and had great luck with that. Maybe it’s because editors are now becoming inundated with e-mail. Or maybe it’s because editors are keeping my paper clips on file and returning to them when they need a writer. All I know is that the next time I send a query to a new-to-me magazine, I’ll likely send it via mail to see what happens.
Have you done a reversal on any of your “rules”? Let us know in the Comments! [lf]
4 Responses to “Breaking a Broken Rule”
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Star
Said this on March 25th, 2008 at 12:13pm:I have had a number of paper queries get the “no-answer answer” treatment. AARP, especially, seems to compost them. Maybe it’s worth a try now and then, though.
Denene
Said this on March 25th, 2008 at 12:56pm:I haven’t done a rule reversal, but you’ve inspired me to because some of my best clips aren’t online or in a PDF yet — so they are perfect for snail mail!!
Thanks for the inspiring tip! –DB
Quiet Rebel Writer
Said this on March 25th, 2008 at 11:34pm:Great post, Linda, and wonderful reminder that freelance success is all about doing what works best for each of us. I’ve mixed up the physical and electronic messages, all to get at folks in different, multiple ways. It definitely works.
Leah Ingram
Said this on March 26th, 2008 at 9:47am:I, too, miss the old days of standing around Kinkos and copying my clips–stopping to re-read articles that I loved writing and were now so thrilled to see in print. Of course, after 15 years, the thrill of seeing my name in print has worn off a bit (unless, of course, the check arrives in a timely manner), but I still love the look and feel of paper clips. From time to time I will do what you’ve done, and bite the bullet and do a mailing. Most times, though, I’ll send my letter of introduction via email, with links to four relevant stories. It has worked well for me in the past, and now that I’m thinking about it, I’m long overdue for a mass mailing. Maybe I should try your trick after all. By the way, I usually use the Custom Publishing Council’s website to target new markets. Have you found another resource that I should know about?
Leah