Freelance Switch

7 Rules to Pitching a Glossy Magazine
Top Freelance Jobs from Job Board – Week 2, April
Freelance Freedom #202: Freelance Prerogative

Posted: 12 Apr 2011 04:00 AM PDT

Credit: FontShop on Flickr

I was recently asked to be a part of a panel of magazine editors to talk about how I like to receive queries from freelancers. There were nine magazines represented on this panel that ranged from having a press run of 12,000 to over 100,000. It included two nationally read publications, two regional magazines, one state-wide publication, as well as specific, niche publications dedicated to business, boating, and homes. I was pleasantly surprised that the query process was extraordinarily similar between us all.

I'm going to share with you the basic rules that all of us editors agreed on, in hopes your queries to the glossy mag of your choice doesn't fall on deaf ears.

Rule 1: Research

Before you send in your pitch to a magazine, you need to do your homework. As the publisher of a regional magazine, I can't tell you the number of queries I get that have nothing to do with the readership area we cover. Likewise, a niche magazine that focuses on sustainable living in the Portland, Oregon area is not going to want to publish your story on deep sea fishing off the coast of Florida.

Read through a bunch of back issues of a magazine to get the feel for the sorts of stories they publish. Numerous magazines have specific topics they write about each month. Reference this section in your pitch, for example: "My story on Charlie Sheen would be a perfect fit for your ‘What Were They Thinking’ section."

Rule 2: Have a Plan

Have an idea of who you would like to interview for the story you are pitching. This shows the editor that you have thought the idea through and have done some research on the topic. In your query, list who you would interview and why—and be as specific as possible. Instead of saying "a business professor at a top university" actually pick one out and list why their expertise would add to the article.

Rule 3: Be Concise

All of the editors I've talked to prefer a query via email. One went so far to say that if someone sends in a query as an attachment she doesn't take the time to read it. Don't have your great idea end up in an editor's junk mail box just because you didn't get to the point.

Editors want to know what your idea is, why it's important to their readers, how it fits into their magazine, a blurb on who you are, and your expertise. Tell the editor in your query what it is that makes you an expert on the topic you are pitching. Maybe you've written articles like it for other magazines. Maybe you have educational or work experience. Whatever it is—include this in your query.

Rule 4: It's All About Style

You should write your query in the style of the magazine you are pitching. If it's a prestigious, conservative magazine, your query should follow suit. If it's an alternative arts magazine, you can leave off the "Dear Sir or Madam" and start your query with a nice "Hello" instead. Editors want to know that you can write to their specifications right off the bat.

Rule 5: Spell Check

If your query has spelling or grammar mistakes in it—you're toast. Be meticulous! A query letter is the first impression, so you should put your best, most professional foot forward. I know editors who, when they come across a spelling mistake in a query, delete it immediately. If you can't take the time to spell check your query letter, what faith does an editor have that you won't be equally as sloppy with your writing assignment?

Rule 6: Clips

If you have clips, send them along—but be choosy. If you are sending them as an attachment, (which no one will read unless your query letter has piqued their interest) send no more than three. If you are sending links, be sure to put the headline of the story before the link. I like it when freelancers take the time to write a little blurb about the story they are linking me to.

Rule 7: Unsolicited Stories

Most magazine editors don't accept unsolicited manuscripts, unless it's for poetry or fiction. If you don't have any clips, and you want to get your foot in the door, it isn't a bad idea to actually write the story (in the style of the magazine you're pitching, of course) and send it to the editor. Without previous writing experience, it will show the editor that you can write to their demographic. Most freelancers don't have the time and don't want to put in the effort that this requires. Just so you know, I have never received an unsolicited story that I have published—I much prefer a query letter describing their idea.

Above all, what freelancers need to remember is that editors are very busy people. Some of them work with a very small in-house writing staff, are managing interns, running the magazine's Facebook page and twitter account, and trying to constantly hit deadlines at the same time. Even though editors work in a high stress, deadline driven job, most of us are always on the lookout for talented freelancers. The best way to start that relationship with an editor is to craft a clear, concise, and well thought out query.

Photo credit: Some rights reserved by FontShop.

Top Freelance Jobs from Job Board – Week 2, April

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 08:00 AM PDT

Looking for a new client? The FreelanceSwitch job board is a great resource of freelance gigs and opportunities. These opportunities are in various fields, from development to writing to design, and come from a wide range of potential clients. The job board is hand-moderated by dedicated staff and volunteers from the freelance community.

Each week, we’ll feature a selection of the best job opportunities posted for the week. This week, we’re featuring jobs in illustration, development, art direction and more!

To apply for any of these jobs, simply pick up a FreelanceSwitch membership for an affordable $7 a month. See something you like? Join now!

Freelance Graphic Designer and Illustrator for Clothing Apparel Company

Budget: $5,000 to $10,000

I would like to hire creative graphic designer will illustration skills to join our clothing apparel company. The company is fresh and new and out clothing items are specialty themed. Your duties would be to design creative illustration and imagery for tees, jeans, shorts, jackets, hoodies, hats, beanies, hand bags, shoes, skirts, and accessories. I need someone that can give me at least 6 hours a day. You should be forward thinking, creative, think outside the box, good ideas, and strong attention to detail. I would prefer someone who is willing to work on a per hourly rate. I would also like for you to start as soon as possible.

Learn more & apply!

PHP & Javascript Developer

Budget: $1,000 to $2,500

I’m looking for a senior PHP developer to work on on-going development projects and new content managed websites. The ideal candidate should have considerable experience with the SilverStripe CMS and custom LAMP development.

The key things that I’m looking for are:

Experience with SilverStripe CMS
Experience with Javascript
Experience of building (fairly) complex, custom CMSs in the past
Cost Effectiveness
Ability to work with tight deadlines
Honesty and Reliability

Learn more & apply!

Logo Designer

Budget: $500 to $1,000

We are a UK based Digital Agency and don’t currently have a talented logo designer to partner with, and we are now getting requests for a logo on a regular occasion.

We already have 2 projects pending and waiting for a logo so the right person will be sent work immediately.

You must be able to show us a portfolio of your work so we can accurately assess your style and see if you would work well with us or not.

Learn more & apply!

Freelance Project Manager for eCommerce and Websites implementation

Budget: $10,000 +

Assignment :
Implementation of 9 websites and 1 eCommerce platform for an international firm

How long :
12 month or more

Where :
Paris, France

Spoken Langages:
French : mandatory
English : mandatory
Other : is a plus

You are the one we are looking for if:

Your age is between 35/40 years
You have at least a decade of experience on e-commerce projects
You have expertise in project management
You have attended executive committees
You have a solid knowledge on the purchase process (be able to advise business teams to improve sales)
You are a very good team manager with organizational skills and coordination, able to monitor project and weekly meetings
You have the ability to understand and talk to internal and external stakeholders (from customer to developer)
You have very good knowledge of flows in Supply Chain, CRM, payment systems, interfacing with ERP (SAP knowledge would be great)
You have knowledge of Magento (e-Commerce platform)
You have a background on the following technologies: PHP, MySQL, Apache, SSL
You are currently based in the EU, USA, Canada and can move to France during the entire assignment
Your character is : uncompromising, tough, hard, harsh, square, extremely hard working!

Learn more & apply!

Art Director for freelance projects

Budget: $2,500 to $5,000

We are a website design and development firm that specializes in making high end, business-to-business and business-to-consumer websites.

We are developing websites for two clients. One is a national liquor brand and the other is a traditional advertising agency.

We are looking to add a new Art Director to our development team. Here is an outline of requirements for this position.

Work with account leadership to translate client's needs into web designs.
Actively participate in client problem solving as part of integrated account team.
Create visual prototypes, storyboards, and wireframes.
Visualize, conceptualize, and design complete interactive websites with a polished user experience.
Apply leading edge creative design in concert with web standards and principles.
Apply brand systems, typography, photography, color and other elements appropriately to create innovative digital solutions that meet user and client needs.
Give design instruction to our programmers.
Exceptional understanding of usability and accessibility a must.
Demonstrated creative ability; must have attention to detail and be flexible to bend to the needs of the client.
Knowledge of Photoshop and Web Design experience is a must.
Understanding how Adobe Flash adds creativity to websites is necessary.
3-5 years of experience working on bigger and sophisticated experience is preferred.
Future project work later this year is available for the right person.
Must be willing to commit to full term of projects ranging from 4 to 8 weeks.