Beyond Writer’s Market
I’m always on the lookout for new markets to write for — and that doesn’t mean that I skim through Writer’s Market every week. I keep my eyes open everywhere, from the doctor’s office (where I found a medical magazine to pitch) to the ice cream shop (where someone had left behind a career magazine that was new to me).
Several months ago, I got my first assignment from a marketing magazine. The editor sent me a back issue to give me a better idea of the magazine’s tone and content. In that issue was a profile of a custom publishing company I had never heard of, which produces (among other things) a magazine for customers of a cable company.
I studied the custom publishing company’s website and then sent the editor an introductory e-mail. I didn’t hear back for a couple of months, and then, out of the blue, the editor contacted me with an assignment: Easy work, $1 per word. I recently wrote my second article for them!
Today I was reading a back issue of the New York Times Magazine, and in an article about a consumer product the writer mentioned a trade magazine I’d never heard of. I plan to research that magazine online today and contact the editor if it seems like a good fit.
Where’s the most surprising place you’ve found a new market to write for? [lf]
If you liked that post, you might also like:
Apr 30, 2007 Advice
Whenever I read an article that I really like, I google the writer’s name to see where else they’ve written. That has uncovered some unusual avenues for writing, but it works! (Also try writer website and see where they have clips.)
My landlord’s mail. Most of his stuff was sent to his P.O. box, but sometimes a few things snuck through. One was a custom pub that I at first assumed was for me because I get so many magazines. I didn’t realize the mistake until I flipped through the mag and send the editor an LOI, thus getting a series of assignments. My landlord thought it as pretty cool.
What great ideas, Susan and Jen! Jen, I’ll have to see if I can sneak my neighbors’ mail. ;->