Notes from Minnesota  

Hey Freelancer! 

I'm floored. Absolutely floored.

Last time I asked if you'd send me your most vexing freelancing question and... WOW! I was inundated with so many questions, my head is literally spinning.

I've sorted through the questions, got 'em in order, and am already recording the answers to your questions. If you submitted a question, keep an eye on your in-box because I'll be e-mailing your link to download your complementary copy of the MP3 and full transcript.

I'm tickled pink and want to give everyone a HUGE “Thanks” for your participation.

You totally rock. :)

Have a fabulous (and profitable) week!

Beth :)

P.S. Be sure to check out our best sellers. Here's the link

P.P.S. Share Writing Etc. with your freelance friends by  clicking here.

Beth's Hot Pick of the Week  

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Five Reasons You Can't Sell Your Writing, Part Deux

Beth Ann Erickson

Note: Part one of “Five Reasons You Can't Sell Your Writing” ran in the September 15 issue of Writing Etc.

Not too long ago we discussed three mistakes newbie writers commit when they're trying to sell their writing. If you recall they were, in a nutshell:

1. Writing like a writer

2. Not using the right voice

3. Not adhering to the “Who Cares” test

Today we'll cover the final two common mistakes most writers deal with when they're writing queries.

“WIIFM”

WIIFM is otherwise known as “What's in it for me.”

Many newbies focus on themselves. They're concerned about their career. They want to get published. They want to sell books.

Rightfully so, their primary focus is on selling, getting the byline, perhaps paying those pesky bills.

When they write queries, they focus on their experience, their topic. Every word in designed to highlight their credibility or illustrate how interesting their chosen subject is.

To them, I say that it's great that you're doing this, but you're only completing half your job.

The other half comes in when you acknowledge that your reader has a life. If you want them to hand you money or grant you a byline, you need to appeal to their self interest above all else.

You need to understand exactly what they want and give it to them. Sadly, focusing on yourself while writing your query will inhibit this activity.

Here's the deal: When you sit on the other side of the editorial desk, you quickly realize there's much more to this career than pouring words on a page, querying, and cutting a check.

As a writer drafting a query must focus on their reader, the person purchasing your article must also focus on their readership.

If you craft a query with this realization, you'll most certainly draft a stronger query.

Focus on your intended audience because the person who reads your query will most certainly be focused on them.

It's the ever present challenge to connect with readers. Without a readership connection, there will be no reading, no exchange of ideas, no bylines, no checks on the mail.

When you exchange words for money, you always give your readership what they want and strongly and compellingly answer the question, “WIIFM.”

Not Targeting Your Efforts

While this list is hardly exhaustive, it's certainly a good start.

The fifth reason your queries probably aren't hitting pay dirt is because you aren't targeting your efforts.

It takes a short period of time to check out the name of the person who will read your query, yet you'd be amazed at the number of people who don't do this.

At Filbert Publishing, I receive queries each week that begin with, “Dear Editor,” or “Dear Publisher,” or worse yet, “To Whom it May Concern,” or “Dear Bart,” (My name's Beth, by the way.), or the perennial mass e-mail offering me the opportunity to bid on a manuscript.

If you take a moment to research your prospective editor, if you find out who to send the query to, if you target your subject matter to the focus of the publication, you've just created a stronger query.

Not targeting your efforts will almost always result in a rejection letter... if you're lucky. Chances are it'll just get deleted or ignored.

Sadly, the only thing worse than receiving a rejection is to have your query ignored. After all, it takes time and effort to put together an enticing proposal. Target your efforts and increase the chances of receiving a response.

So, there you have it. Follow these five suggestions and your queries will be stronger.

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Beth Ann Erickson is the “Queen Bee” of Filbert Publishing. She’s also the author of numerous titles including “101 No Cost and Low Cost Secrets To Turbo Charge Your Freelance Income.” Pick up your copy today at http://filbertpublishing.com/101.html   She’s also a busy copywriter, speaker, and publisher of Writing Etc., the free e-mag for writers. 

P.S. You can use this article free of charge on your own website or zine. Just don’t make any changes and be sure to include the entire byline. Enjoy!

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