Freelance Writing: Think Like an Editor, Sell Like a Pro

By Jennifer Brown Banks, @jenpens2

There’s great truth to the expression, “You should walk a mile in someone else’s shoes to understand them.” Which is why I’m very fortunate, that when it comes to the field of writing, these stilettos have covered much territory.

In my journey of more than a decade, I have served as a relationship columnist, a ghost writer, professional blogger, and a reviewer. I have penned pieces for digital publications, and for popular print glossies too. Many of which you’ve likely read.

But, what has probably enhanced my creative career the most, was my role as a senior editor of a regional publication, a few years ago.

Walking in these “shoes” helped me to discover that a successful, progressive path in writing is not just about a proficiency with words; it is about the psychology of selling, whether it’s widgets or words.

In my tenure, I had the opportunity to work with and hire freelancers from all levels and backgrounds. I even  saw my “former” self in some of the mistakes and oversights they made in their pitches and submissions. Ouch.

What I found was that the ones that were the most successful and categorically made the most money, were the ones that understood this important prevailing principle: Editors are “consumers” too.

That’s right. These individuals that we greatly admire, (occasionally suck up to) and aspire to be like, have some of the same basic universal needs that we all do as “consumers.”

Here’s what they want (other than more hours in the day or a winning lottery ticket) …

• They want to save time.
• They want to save money.
• They seek to have their lives enhanced and simplified.
• They want minimal stress.
• They want bouncing and behaving hair. (Well, that was just Me.)

In essence, today’s busy editor seeks products and services that will allow these fundamental needs to be met, so they in turn can meet the needs of their readership, advertisers, and supporters. (And of course, they’d like to enjoy a decent quality of life in the process.)

Dan Case, Editor of Writing for Dollars, shares that one of the most effective things a writer can do to increase his odds of publication and meet an editor’s needs, is to “strictly follow the submission guidelines established at the magazine’s site.”

So if you‘re on board, today we’ll explore how to not just consider your intended audience in your writing, but to think like an editor, to improve your submission strategy, your rate of acceptance, and ultimately your bottom line.

Tips to minimize an editor’s stress.

• Don’t put the “i” in diva!

Here’s a case in point. In my editorial role mentioned earlier, I was fortunate to have some awesome talent respond to my periodic Craigslist postings for writers and columnists. One of these individuals was a southern freelancer who had pretty impressive credentials, very unique spins on article assignments, and who followed directions to the letter. Like Michael Jordan, her “delivery” record was incredible. There was just one problem. She was a “hot shot” that was difficult and demanding to work with. She complained about her modest pay, deadline times, etc. It didn’t take long before I decided that with all her assets, she was a pain in the assets. She was gradually phased out. This is a no-brainer. If an editor has to choose between two writers with equal talent, the one who is flexible and causes the least amount of grief will likely win out. The moral of the story here? Whenever possible, go with the flow. Don’t take big stands on small issues. Always remain professional and respectful. If you want “red carpet” treatment, become a celebrity, not a writer.

• Be reliable.

You can have Pulitzer prize winning potential, still if you miss important deadlines, or can’t  be counted on to respond to important emails in a timely fashion, it becomes a problem for all involved. Remember that Murphy’s Law happens. Allow yourself enough time to successfully juggle, and to produce quality work on schedule. The career you save might be your own.

• Read and follow the submission guidelines before submitting work or contacting the editor with questions.

A common question that I often encountered was…“Do you accept interviews?”

Though answering questions comes with the territory, it can be frustrating and time consuming when the information is clearly outlined in the writer’s guidelines on the site, for those who choose to read them.

And failing to do so doesn’t provide for a good first impression. Trust me.

How to save editors time.

• See the big picture.

Assuming that you understand the publication’s mission and target audience, what else needs to be factored into the publishing equation? How about the competition? The sponsors?  The time of the year? Check the archives. What has been covered recently? Are there any gaps in information that you could tackle in terms of your submission and area of expertise?

• Be familiar with different “Content Management” Systems and various Style Guides.

For instance, if you’re a professional Blogger, many jobs now require that you not only know how to engage an audience, but that you also know how to upload your own work on the site for review and approval.  The less “hand holding” and training you require, the more valuable you become to an editor–no matter what type of publication.

• Submit work that is properly formatted and requires minimal revisions. Remember, “Time is money.” Proof your work before hitting the “send” button, and don’t rely on spell check to catch all your errors. One writer friend recently shared with me that an editor actually sought to deduct a fee from the writer’s pay for the time that the editor spent preparing the piece for publication. Don’t let this be you.

• When turning in an article or feature piece that shares study findings or important statistics, provide the related link or site for verification purposes.

In other words, don’t make the editor have to research your research.

• Consult Editorial Calendars.

Editorial Calendars simply organize content by planning and publicizing future themes and publication needs. Writers use them, as do potential advertisers.  Here you’ll find a glimpse of the exact needs of an editor, thereby increasing your odds of acceptance and potentially helping the editor to cover desired targeted topics. Sasee Magazine shares one here: http://sasee.com/submissions/

Whether you’re new to freelancing, or a veteran seeking to increase your acceptance rate and score more paid work, the following tips will not only allow you to get in to editors’ heads, but also in their good graces and ultimately their budgets.

Jennifer Brown Banks is a veteran freelance writer, popular Blogger, and relationship columnist. Her work has been featured at sites such as: Pro Blogger, Men With Pens, Write to Done, and the Well-Fed Writer. Her Blog, Pen and Prosper, was recently chosen as a Top 25 Writing Blog for 2014. When she’s not writing or reading, she’s usually in hot pursuit of a good bargain sale.