Tips on How to Gain Respect from Magazine Editors as a Freelance Writer

Writing magazines articles for a living, or even as a side job, is no easy task. Add being a no-name author to immense competition and increasingly covered story topics, and just the passing thought of vying for any real attention can be daunting. Magazine editors are looking for writers who stand apart from the masses, not only with their writing skills but also in their demeanor and professionalism. Freelancers hoping for continuous assignments must strive to meet their high expectations with every query. For a little insight into just how one can come to expect regular work from higher paying publications, consider the following tips on how to gain respect from magazine editors as a freelance writer in this ever-evolving business.

Tip #1: Try not to curse out loud. That is, don't let your editor hear the glass being thrown against the wall on her side of the phone when she calls to request further research or a closer deadline. While it's perfectly normal to find yourself a bit stressed over an editor's seemingly endless demands, keep in mind that you're both still trying to figure each other out. You're still learning what she wants, and she's still learning what you can handle reasonably. Take on the demands with grace as a balance slowly emerges with each assignment.

Tip #2: Remember that a specified word count is generally a rule, not a guideline. When it comes to magazines, spacing is limited for special articles. Advertisers will need their space, regular columns their's, and so on. Adding three hundred words will not impress your editor or make her feel that you are willing to go that extra mile. In most cases, she'll instead be burdened with having to cut the piece to the appropriate size. If you feel you must add words, or cannot come up with quite enough, speak to your editor about how strict the limitations were meant to be.

Tip #3: Don't become a doormat. Eager to please their editors, budding magazine writers often bend their schedules into pretzel-like contortions in order to meet every single request. While being flexible is one thing, you don't want your editor to feel as if you are an amateur with only her one assignment to complete at the time (even if that's actually the case). Gaining respect from an editor means being hard-working and diligent, not permanently planted by the telephone praying for them to call. If you cannot meet a specification, say so politely while suggesting an alternative.

Tip #4: Don't advertise your faults during your initial communication. So you have to use the spell checker every time you send an email and you have to dig out the dictionary every single time you use the word "simultaneous." If you can handle it without her help, there's no need to let your editor know what goes on behind the scenes to form that perfect article or query.

Tip #5: Never make suggestions that you feel could make the magazine "better." Just because you've been an avid reader of a particular publication for years doesn't mean you are the authority on what makes it sell. There will always be features that you feel detract from a magazine's quality, but keep them to yourself. An editor isn't interested in what her freelance writers feel would make her better. You may, on the other hand, benefit from hearing what she has to say about what you could do to better yourself and your own work.

Tip #6: Give your editors your professional contact methods only. If "lucky_lady_lover_#1" is your only email address, create a new one for the sake of making contact with professionals in your field. Never use a personal email address, social networking page, or other informal method of communication when speaking with an editor. In fact, pretend those outlets don't exist. You should have a separate email address, phone number, and perhaps even a P.O. box that are created specifically for your editors.

Tip #7: Respond promptly to initial phone calls and emails. Making an editor wait a few hours for a response is reasonable, but keep her waiting several days to receive a return phone call or email and she'll likely feel that you don't take her publication or assignment seriously. Never try to play it cool with a magazine editor. She'll want you to be at least moderately enthusiastic.

Tip #8: Acknowledge editors whom you will decline. The importance of creating relationships with all editors lies in the fact that they can easily switch publications. While an editor may be at a low paying publication for now, she may find work at a major magazine in the near future. Such scenarios aren't all that uncommon. If that doesn't happen, her publication may become more successful and be able to pay more in the years to come. Even if you must decline an assignment for now, be willing to gain her respect for the sake of future possibilities by acknowledging her as being important.

Remember, gaining an editor's respect as a freelance writer means evoking a constant image of professionalism while also knowing your boundaries. Even the most highly demanded writers know that editorial approval is a must. As such, consider these tips as you make your next contacts in the magazine world.