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Bynum, freelance journalist, getting published, marketing, north carolina writers, Pittsboro, writer platform, writing for magazines
As freelancers, we have more than 7,000 magazines to pitch.
I came across the Association of Magazine Media’s Factbook and found a few surprising (and encouraging) stats. The Magazine Media 2015 Factbook shows about 9 out of 10 adults read magazines, readership has gone up, print magazine brands have also risen, and print magazines sway between #1 and #2 as the most influential way to reach consumers.
When I first started freelancing I spent at least half of my time on magazine articles. Whether it was querying, looking for sources, interviewing sources, writing and revising – it was a large part of what I did. I still do this on a smaller scale, but my reliable consistent writing income is now from web content creation and ghostwriting.
Earlier this month myself and a few other journalists previewed a new space in the area (a separate post on that soon!) and other writers (myself included) are quick to comment on how the magazine industry is changing, editors leave, and markets fold. Reality is – according to the Factbook – there are more magazines in print now than there were a decade ago!
Many novelists and memoirists in my Raleigh writing group (which, by the way, just broke 700 members!!) have little interest in penning articles for magazines. Both self-published and traditionally published authors spend a great deal of time and money planning events, online campaigns, and other efforts trying to spread the word and sales of their book(s). If these writers also wrote for magazines, their bylines would reach SIGNIFICANTLY more readers (potential book buyers), build their credibility, grow their ‘writer platform,’ and earn them some money!
Plus, a nice factoid:
“Consumers trust and are more inspired and influenced by magazine media than TV.” (Source: Experian Marketing Services, Simmons Multi-Media Engagement Study, Spring 2014)
Whether you’re trying to grow a reader fanbase for a novel or draw attention to an area of your expertise–writing for print media remains one of the best ways to do so!
If you’re in the Triangle area and curious about branching out into freelance journalism, I teach Writing for Magazines. Class held on Saturday, March 5th at the Bynum Front Porch in Bynum, NC. (Bynum is an adorable village halfway between downtown Pittsboro and Fearrington Village.) Registration closes this Friday 2/26 at noon. Class is $59. Class details here.
Good for you. I’ve also entered the battle for magazine publication. It’s a new avenue for me and other writers to ‘get the message out’. thanks for highlighted that fact.
Welcome to magazines! If you have the right story for the right market, an editor generally says yes. Hope your queries go well!
I want to write for magazines. It’s just that finding an international angle that will entice editors (since it’s hard to compete with US-based writers who live in the country) and find resources that I can interview (note the time difference) and combine it all in a pitch they will approve…It hasn’t happened yet. I also haven’t pitched yet. 🙂 But I found great resources that list International magazines and suggest several sites on where and how to find sources I didn’t know about. So I’m gearing up. Wish me luck.
Would magazines in your area be a good starting point to help build clips? Would definitely help to pitch first. 😉 Most bit markets accept journalists from all over the world–and many like having an authentic voice representing the respective country. Could be to your benefit!