Blog - Be a Pro Writer

16Sep 2019 by cjalex No Comments

5 Places to Find Content Marketing Clients

I began freelancing with magazines. And that's a logical choice for new freelance writers. But if you want a regular income, it makes sense to reach out to businesses that use content in their marketing. When the magazines you write for pay on publication, and that could be months before getting a check in the mail, securing regular content marketing gigs certainly helps with the budget. Where do you find businesses in your niche? Surprisingly, there're five places to find content marketing clients that you probably haven't thought of and I'm going to share them with you here. 10 Places to Find Content Marketing Clients in Your Niche The magazines you already write for or read If you're already writing for magazines, the best place to find businesses in the…

09Sep 2019 by cjalex 2 Comments

How to Easily Write with Kids at Home

Productivity

Sitting at the kitchen table with my laptop, I finally hit “print” for the article I’d been struggling with for days. But nothing happened. Then the message appeared: “The printer is out of paper.” “Not again,” I mumbled as I hoofed it to the next room, tripping over my six-year-old sprawled on the floor with crayons and paper spread about. “Like my pictures, Mommy?” "That’s where my paper went, again," I thought. This happened 10 years ago. That little boy, the baby of six children, turned 16 last week. Many moms wait until the day their child gets on the school bus for the first time before they begin a home business. As a homeschooling parent for over 25 years, I never had that option. Consequently, I learned many…

26Aug 2019 by cjalex No Comments

Does a Freelance Writer Need a Contract?

Business, Marketing

The first time a magazine sent me a freelance writer's contract, I was a nervous wreck. The editor of a different national publication was a friend of a friend, so I sent him a copy and asked him to decipher it for me. I've since become more comfortable with signing on the dotted line and wish more freelancers were, too. Does a freelance writer need a contract? I hear this question all the time on social media. A freelance writer agreement doesn't just protect the publication, it's also important for the writer. Let me tell you a story, then you decide. Freelance Writer's Contract Why a writer needs one My first regular writing gig was a natural health blog. Then next, I started writing for a personal finance blog. Several…

19Aug 2019 by cjalex 2 Comments

4 Digital Tools for Writers to Keep You On Track

Productivity

I'm a paper and pencil gal. No two ways about it, I love my paper planner, colored file folders, and 4-color pen. I even have a collection of Flair markers that I use for color-coding or just...coloring. But, when it comes to staying organized in my business, I use what works best--paper or not. As a matter of fact, I've found four digital tools for writers that have revolutionized my productivity and helped me to be better at what I do. Digital Tools for Writers Have you met Trello? O.M.G. I LOVE Trello! I've tried many digital tools for writers like Evernote or OneNote and by the time I figure them out, I'm dropping them like a bad date. But not Trello. Trello's like that beach blonde, blue-eyed dreamboat at…

12Aug 2019 by cjalex No Comments

3 Amazing Ways to Create a Story Hook for Your Articles

Craft

Have you ever started reading a story in the newspaper or a magazine and turned the page after the first paragraph? I have. But wait a minute. Why did you do that? After all, the headline captured your attention, right? Yes, but unfortunately, the writer failed to create a story hook to keep you reading. Similar to a fishing hook, a story hook holds bait that grabs a readers attention and a barb that pulls them through the rest of the story. If you've been struggling to break into your favorite publication, take a look at your query letters and see if you've created a story hook that attracts and grabs the editor. Create a Story Hook in 1 of 3 Ways When your editor reads your query (and if…

05Aug 2019 by cjalex No Comments

Where to Find Good Writing Markets

Finding Markets and Soliciting Work

Beginning freelancers frequently put the cart before the horse. Or rather, the idea before the target publication. Do you get an idea and run to write it up only to struggle to find a place to send it? That's what I'm talking about. Finding good writing markets should be your starting point, not writing the story. In this post, I want to talk about why you shouldn't start writing before you have an assignment and where to find good, well-paying writing markets to work with. Why you shouldn't write your story before you have an assignment As we discussed in this post, you want to know the reader you're writing for before you even begin your story. And this post showed you how to define the reader of your target…

29Jul 2019 by cjalex 2 Comments

How to Define Your Reader when Writing for Magazines

Building Relationships

You have an idea for a story. You think you know of a publication to send it to. So, what's the next step? Next, you need to define your reader. Defining the reader of a particular publication is essential in getting an editor to respond to your pitch. Some aspects of knowing your reader are obvious--the region the publication covers, the topic of the publication or the age of the target audience. Let's take a look at a few examples. Let's say my idea is "Three Top Ways for Menopausal Women to Lose Belly Fat." Now, I can name dozens of women's magazines on the racks in my nearest bookstore. But, if I don't know who reads those publications, if I don't know the target audience of…

22Jul 2019 by cjalex 2 Comments

Need Story Ideas? 2 Quick Ways to Reslant 1 Idea into Many

Craft

Have you ever picked up a magazine, noted the cover story, and asked, "Why didn't I think of that?" That happened to me once on the walk back from my mailbox. Seriously, my husband is a mattress professional so we get Sleep Savvy magazine each month. I read it regularly and have yet to pitch them because I'm still trying to come up with those perfect story ideas. Then there's one in my hand, on the cover no less—with someone else's byline! I have come up with perfect story ideas for other publications, though. And, formulating them can take some effort. Let me show you a couple quick ways to develop the perfect pitch. 2 Ways to Reslant 1 Idea into Many Story Ideas Who Else Needs to Hear This?…

15Jul 2019 by cjalex No Comments

I Got a Rejection Letter, Now What?

Finding Markets and Soliciting Work

You sent your first (or 50th) query letter last week and you've been checking your email every hour since. Relax! this could take a while. Editors receive scads of emails every day. (I know, I used to be one.) And, if it's a really big pub, they probably don't even have the time to respond to every pitch. But when they do, be prepared. Whether you get the assignment or a rejection letter, you have work to do. What to do when you receive a rejection letter I got a rejection yesterday. The assistant editor revealed to me the department they needed ideas for the most. And I was on that like nobodies business. I immediately sent the editor three ideas. What I got back was: SCORE! "We…

08Jul 2019 by cjalex 1 Comment

4 Steps to an Organized Article Writing Process

Productivity

Writing a magazine article isn't rocket science. But, let's face it, some folks got it and some don't, right? Not because it's hard or a special gift or anything. But because they just need an organized approach. If you're struggling to get article assignments, or more importantly repeat assignments, from your favorite publications, follow these four steps to an organized article writing process. My foolproof organized article writing process Hone your idea Before you write anything, you must hone your idea. Honing your idea involves studying the publication you wish to pitch. It's where you choose the perfect angle for those readers, narrowing it down to fit into the required word count. It's where you cut that elephant down to a couple of steaks. When I was the editor of…