So, you've written up a killer CV and your portfolio of cuttings looks pretty impressive - but don't breathe a sigh of relief just yet.  Just as important, if not more so, is your pitch to the editor.  Why?  Because most editors will first look at your ideas and only if they like what they see will they go on to check your credentials (remember, editors are inundated with ideas for articles).  So, how do you make your letter stand out from the crowd?  Read on and find out...

 

Get the basics right

 

This means firstly making sure that you are pitching your idea to the right kind of magazine (for example, there is no point writing to the editor of a magazine specialising in urban street wear with an idea for an article about Paris haute couture).  If in doubt, go and buy one a copy of the magazine and have a good look at their website and see how your idea would 'fit'.

 

Secondly, make sure that you send your query in the correct format.  Most editors absolutely hate queries by telephone, and some prefer letters (don’t forget the SAE) to email.

 

Thirdly, get the name and address correct.  Make sure that you are sending your query to the correct editor, try your best to find out their name, make sure that you spell it correctly and get the address right (if nothing else, this will make sure that your letter gets to the editor faster with no need to be re-sent through internal mail).  You know how much you hate it when people get your name wrong, so why assume anything different of an editor?

 

Fourthly, be polite, neat and professional.  That means typing your letter out in the correct formal letter writing format (including addresses, dates, Dear X, Y or Z and Yours sincerely…), using good grammar, punctuation and spelling (you want to get a job writing after all!) and generally being as formal and professional as you possibly can.

 

What to write

 

So, now that you have the format of the letter sorted out, what do you write?

 

Begin by explaining why you are writing to them - editors are very busy people, so you might as well get to the point. 

 

For example, 'I am writing to you with an idea for a profile article for your publication'

 

Short, sweet and to the point. 

Next, give more details about the idea that you have. 

Again, keep it short and to the point - just the basic outline of what you propose to write. 

You might like to consider the following points (because this is what the editor will be thinking as he or she reads your proposal):

 

What is it that you are proposing? (i.e. a long feature piece, a short column, an interview, a profile etc)

What is the basic message of your submission?

How would your submission be structured?

How is your idea unique and original?

How would your submission fit within the publication?

Why are you the right person to be writing about this?

 

For example, imagine that I am proposing an article on a day in the life of a fashion editor, then this is what I would write:

 

'My proposal is to write an article about working as a fashion editor, structured in the format of 'a day in the life of a fashion editor' and drawing on my own experiences as an editor of Athena fashion magazine.  I believe that this article would be of interest to your readers since it would offer an insider's view of the fashion industry and would be appropriate for your publication since it offers an insight into fashion journalism as a career.'

 

General Tips

 

  • Spend as long as you can writing your query letter - make sure that it is the best that you can make it
  • Remember to always be polite, but don't grovel
  • Don't be boastful - but don't be overly modest either
  • Don't expect an immediate response - it may be weeks before you hear back, and whatever you do, don't try to hassle the editor for a faster response, as you will just irritate him or her.  If you still haven't heard after eight weeks, it is quite legitimate to write a short follow up letter and ask whether or not your first letter arrived safely - after all, things go missing in the post and by email all the time.

More questions?  Email us ask@fashionwriter.co.uk