You Ask, I Answer: What If I Don’t Have Relevant Clips?
I answer your burning freelancing questions on the blog. If you have a question, e-mail it to me at lindaformichelli@gmail.com. Have a lot of questions? Consider signing up for a phone mentoring session.
Alyssa asks: What if the magazine you’re querying asks for clips specific to that niche, and you’ve only written for other types of publications? For example, you’re trying to pitch a love and relationship piece and you’ve written mostly about news and politics? I know that not all publications ask for clips specific to their niche, but I have come across it… and am wondering whether I’m supposed to just write something on my blog on that topic and use that coupled with something else published? Or could I just use an older clip and explain that I have not yet written about X topic but am experienced in Y and read the magazine religiously?
Good question! I’m a big fan of shooting high and using what you have, instead of holding off on a pitch until you have the exact “right” clips. So if you want to write a relationship story and all your clips are politics-related, I would wow the editor with a stellar pitch that shows you know the market and then send a few of my best politics-related samples. Clips show more than that you can write on a certain topic — they show that you know how to write for publication, period. So even if your clips are not relevant to the topic you’re pitching, paired with a great query they do have impact.
I hope that helps! [lf]
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Jan 31, 2011 Advice, Query letters, You Ask, We Answer
You’re so right, Linda. Most of my clips are about parenting or education yet I recently broke into a trade journal that covers residential energy conservation. I think my well researched query did the trick. That plus my clips showed the editor I could write effectively and he was willing to give me a chance on a topic outside my usual box. It’s exciting to expand one’s repertoire! It widens the playing field.
Good for you for breaking into that trade!
I use what I have. I believe a ‘clip’ is a clip. I would hope that editors would take into consideration your quality of writing. If you can write on news and politics (tough), I believe you could write on any topic.
I agree!
I would just “sell.” Say, I am including a story I wrote on Blah, which shows my news judgment and my ability to find and interview interesting sources. Don’t overdo it by going on and on in the I am a trained reporter, I can write about anything vein. Just atate it and if they can’t extrapolate, then they don’t have a lot of experience or imagination.
Hi Linda,
Thanks again for answering my question. Now I know I can just go for it with my best clips and if the query is well done, I’ll still have a solid chance.
Appreciate the help!
You’re very welcome! Good luck!