SiteReach Out and Touch an Editor Today (No, Not Like That!)
Staying in touch works. Today, I followed up with an editor at a custom publishing company I write for (I’ve written for other editors there, not her). She quickly replied, “Thank you for e-mailing me now. What’s your schedule like for the next 10 days?” Ends up she had a big rush project in the works. Within a day, I had an assignment worth $3,500 for a week’s worth of work.
Today I also followed up with a custom health magazine I’ve been trying to break into for years. The editor wrote back within minutes apologizing for not having given me work in the past, and asking if I was available to talk the next day. “I want to get you into this magazine,” she wrote.
So for all you writers who are afraid to follow up because you fear bothering an editor, listen up: Editors need good writers, and if you’re a good writer, that means they need you. (Isn’t that one of those math things: If A=B and B=C, and so on?) Persistence is one of the most important qualities a writer can have.
There are some editors I’ve corresponded with for years. Every few months, I’ll send them a touching-base e-mail, which takes about 10 seconds. They usually tell me that they have nothing for me at that moment, but to keep in touch — and I do. And every so often I’ll get an assignment, which certainly wouldn’t happen if I let the ball drop.
When I follow up with an editor I haven’t corresponded with in a while, I usually tell her I just finished up some deadlines (which is true…I usually do my following up when my schedule is starting to look empty) and was wondering if I can do anything for her. I also give the editor an update on who I’ve been writing for lately, and offer to send recent clips.
Your challenge for today: Follow up on five queries or letters of introduction. Please let us know how you do! [lf]
11 Responses to “Reach Out and Touch an Editor Today (No, Not Like That!)”
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Sarah
Said this on November 17th, 2009 at 2:09pm:Thanks for this awesome post! I feel totally inspired to start emailing those editors right away.
This must sound pathetic on my part, but I was wondering what exactly a “follow up” with an editor entails? Is it just basically along the lines of “I’m following up on my query”…or is there more to it? Thanks in advance for putting up with my stupidity.
LindaFormichelli
Said this on November 17th, 2009 at 4:20pm:Sarah, your question isn’t stupid at all! We aren’t born with the knowledge of how to write a follow-up.
If I’m following up on a query, I say that: “I sent you my query X on September 1 and haven’t heard back, so I’m afraid my letter may have gotten lost in cyberspace. I’ve pasted it below for your convenience. Does this sound like something you’d be interested in?” (And if I don’t hear back on THAT within a few weeks, I follow up with a voicemail.) If I’m just touching base in general, I let the editor know what I’ve been up to lately — for example, that I’ve written for X, Y, and Z and that I have a new phone number. If I’m friendly with the editor, I may also give her more personal details, such as how my son is doing. At the end, I tell the editor I’d love to work with her again and ask if she has any assignments in the pipeline. That’s it! Hope it helps.
June
Said this on November 17th, 2009 at 5:52pm:What about follow-ups for reprint offers? I have a number of articles I’ve written for regional magazines and I’m usually successful in selling them again. Are you pestering an editor if you do a follow-up about a reprint? I mean, if you’ve sent them the whole article and you don’t hear back within a reasonable amount of time, should you just assume they’re not interested?
LindaFormichelli
Said this on November 17th, 2009 at 7:36pm:June, I would definitely follow up just as if it were a query! Things get lost, editors mean to get back to you and forget…no reason not to follow up to make sure they have your article!
Sarah
Said this on November 17th, 2009 at 7:56pm:Thanks so much, Linda! You are extremely helpful and informative, like always!
Debbie
Said this on November 18th, 2009 at 11:47am:Linda, I think you’ve tapped an area that most writers (including myself) would love to hear more about! I’m pretty good at follow ups, but I must admit I shy away once a few follow ups yield no results. What’s the fine line between keeping in touch and being a bother? How long do you keep dropping an email/call, even if nothing has materialized?
Debbie
LindaFormichelli
Said this on November 18th, 2009 at 2:40pm:Hi, Debbie…I think I’ll devote an entire blog post to this soon! Great questions.
Diana Burrell
Said this on November 19th, 2009 at 11:13am:I needed to read this today — thanks LS!
HM
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