How To Become A Magazine Writer

If you love writing, have a passion for magazines, or have been wondering how to become a magazine writer, this is the post for you.

In today’s digital age where we’re inundated with content online, there’s still something special about reading an actual print magazine in your hands. Think of all the things that are possible when you combine words with photos and graphics! 

Magazines can be everything from literary journals filled with poetry and prose, to travel guides showcasing exotic locales around the world or even self-help books on topics ranging from finances to relationships. There are so many different types of magazines out there that it seems like just about anything can be covered by one!

Takeaways
1. Develop Strong Writing Skills
2. Cultivate Creativity and Originality
3. Research the Magazine Industry
4. Build a Diverse Writing Portfolio
5. Network and Connect with Industry Professionals
6. Seek Freelance or Guest Writing Opportunities
7. Stay Persistent and Committed to Growth
8. Be Open to Writing for Different Genres
9. Stay Updated with Industry Trends and Topics
10. Submit Queries and Pitches with Confidence

Go To A Lot Of Events

The best way to learn about the industry and get inspired is by networking. Go to as many events as possible, meet people, and build relationships. You don’t have to be a celebrity or famous to do this; just be friendly, respectful, and helpful. 

This will help you learn about what’s happening in the industry (and not just your city), which can inspire ideas for stories that haven’t been written yet:

• Who are the local movers and shakers?
• What types of stories are being covered already? Are there any gaps in coverage?

If you want to break into magazine writing, start with smaller publications first so that you can gain experience without being overwhelmed by big-time editors who expect perfection right away!

If you’re interested in magazine writing and want to know a rather unconventional yet intriguing way to start, check out our guide on magazine writing: the unbelievably stupid way I got started. It’s a story of unexpected beginnings that might inspire your writing journey.

Start With Smaller Magazines And Online Publications

Start with smaller magazines and online publications. You may be able to get your foot in the door of a small magazine or start your career by contributing articles to an online publication, which may be easier than trying to break into a large print publication. 

Smaller magazines will have less competition and give you a chance to make mistakes without costing you too much time or money—and they can be very helpful in providing feedback on how you’re doing as well as letting you learn from your errors.

Find out what works for them (and why). If possible, try to talk with someone who writes for the magazine before submitting any work; this will give them an idea of what types of things they like writing about and how they like their articles written (the format used).

Write In Different Styles

There are many different styles of writing, and being able to write them all is an important skill for a magazine writer. For example, you might have read a short story or seen a play in which the characters were not only very real but also very distinct. 

This happens because the writers wrote each character’s dialogue differently, so even though they were talking together as friends at one point in the story, they sounded like two different people when they spoke again later on. 

You can learn how to do this yourself by reading other writers’ work and thinking about how their characters differ from each other when they speak or act out various scenes. 

In addition to learning how to write dialogue that sounds natural and realistic, it’s useful for magazine writers to keep up with current events so they know what topics will be most interesting for their readership at any given time.

Another type of writing often seen in magazines is non-fiction articles such as those about travel destinations or recipes for cooking certain types of foods anything about food! 

If you enjoy cooking and have some good recipes up your sleeve that hasn’t been published anywhere else yet then consider contacting some restaurants directly about including them in their menus (or even submitting them directly yourself).

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Join Professional Or Networking Groups, Both Face-To-Face And Online

If you’re looking to build a career as a magazine writer, joining professional and networking groups is a great way to learn more about the industry. Group members tend to be open about sharing their experiences and ideas, 

So it’s a perfect way for new writers to get feedback on their work. Consider joining local writing groups in your area or regional magazines that may need writers.

Additionally, you must consider what kind of magazine writing you want to do before deciding which group or group member is right for you. If all this sounds overwhelming, don’t worry we’ve got some tips below!

Build Your Network

Building your network is one of the most important things you can do. It’s not enough to be able to write like a pro; you also have to make connections with people who can help you get published, and maybe even get a job in your field.

To start building your network:

Join writing groups that hold regular meetings or monthly workshops. These are great places for making connections and learning from others who share your interests and goals.

Write articles for local magazines or newspapers about topics related to your area of expertise (and if there isn’t one, start one). 

This gives readers an idea of what kind of writer they’ll be getting when they buy from you later down the road and it helps build awareness around what types of work might be available for sale in their publication as well!

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Ask Questions

The best way to become a good writer is to talk to people and ask questions. To get paid for your writing, you’ll need to know what the magazine or website’s readers want. The only way you can figure that out is by speaking with them directly.

Ask questions of anyone who will give you the time of day: coworkers, strangers on the street, and even friends and family members are all candidates for interview subjects. Ask these people what they like about magazines; which magazines they read; how often they read them; why they read them; which articles in each publication keep their attention (and why); etc.

“Know The Magazine You’re Writing For

As a writer, you have to be familiar with the magazine you’re writing for. Know its style, audience, history, and mission. 

You should also know its ethos (a set of shared beliefs) and values. Some magazines have key features that are important to them if you don’t read these before submitting your article or idea to them then it can end up being rejected because it doesn’t fit in with what they’re looking for. 

To find out all this information about a magazine before submitting anything, do some research!

“When It Comes To Researching Your Story

When it comes to researching your story, there are many ways to look for information. You can use the internet, libraries, or even your own experiences to find the right details. However, when you’re writing a feature article or an interview-based piece, one of the best ways to get started is by interviewing people who are experts in their field.

The first step is figuring out who would be a good fit for your story and whether or not they have time for an interview. Once you’ve selected someone, send them an email explaining what you want from them and why this piece would be a good fit for their website/blog/publication (i.e., if this person has written about similar topics). 

If the person agrees that it’s worth interviewing with them, go ahead and schedule one via Skype or phone call using Google Calendar so both parties are on track with each other’s schedules!

“Your Most Important Skills Are Your Research Skills

You’re going to need a lot of research skills. This can be very time-consuming, but it’s the most important part of being a writer.

Know what you are writing about. You will have to know your subject inside and out before you begin writing, or at least while you are in the process of putting together an idea for your article. 

If possible, try to get some experience with the subject matter that relates directly back to what your article is about (for example, if I were writing an article about how to make money online at home by working from home as a freelance writer).

Know who the audience is that needs this information – Readers!* –

What Makes Good Characterisation Is Specificity

What makes good characterization is specificity. A character with a clear personality, motivation, and flaws will be more interesting to read about than one who has none of these things. You can use their backstory or relationships to further define them, but it’s best if the reader can glean all of this from what they see in the present moment.

Describing your characters’ appearance first is probably best because this lets you give insight into what people might think about them based on how they look. For example: “He had black hair that he wore long and straight. 

This means someone looking at him would likely think he was artistic or romantic; however, if we were instead told something like “He had thick black hair that hung over his shoulders,” then we could assume that most people would have considered him wilder (and perhaps even reckless).

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Create A Strong Main Character

Creating a strong main character is one of the most important parts of writing a novel. This does not mean that your novel should be entirely about that character; it’s also important to have supporting characters with equal importance and development in your story. 

However, creating a well-rounded main character will give your reader someone to identify with and root for throughout the book.

Your readers will want to read about people who are relatable and interesting so naturally, you need to make sure that this happens! That means creating characters who have flaws but can still be likable, or even better: making them flawed enough so that there is room for growth throughout the story itself (and by extension within themselves).

Have Short And Long-Term Goals For Your Characters

You should also have short and long-term goals for your characters. How does the character change throughout the story? 

What is their arc? What makes them interesting and relatable? Don’t be afraid to give your characters flaws, or even make them unlikeable at times if it adds realism to their character. Don’t make all of them perfect this only leads to boring writing! 

Make sure that they have room to grow as well. A good way to do this is by creating a strong main character who has multiple layers beneath his/her surface personality, with at least one “round” character (a person whose actions are not predictable based upon first impressions).

Put Your Characters Into Different Situations

The best way to learn about characters is by putting them into different situations. The first thing you should do is describe the character’s day-to-day life, and then put them into a situation where they are unfamiliar with how things work. 

For example, if your character is a journalist, put him or her in an undercover operation that requires them to pass as someone else (a police officer). If your story is set in space, have your character be on Earth for some reason while they’re supposed to be on Mars.

The second thing you need to do is put the same character into situations he or she understands very well maybe even feels comfortable in but which don’t go according to plan. For example: What if our journalist disguises herself as a police officer but fails at passing? Or what if our astronaut loses contact with mission control?

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Conclusion

I hope this post has helped you learn more about what it takes to become a magazine writer. I know that it can be tough sometimes at first, but as long as you keep your eyes on the prize (getting published!) and keep practicing, then there’s no doubt in my mind that someday soon you’ll be an expert in no time!

Further Reading

Indeed – How to Become a Magazine Writer: Explore practical tips and insights on how to kickstart your journey as a magazine writer with advice from industry experts.

Practical Adult Insights – How Do I Become a Magazine Writer: Discover step-by-step guidance on breaking into the world of magazine writing, including tips on building a strong portfolio.

The Write Life – How to Become a Magazine Writer in 4 Easy Steps: Learn four easy-to-follow steps that can pave your way to becoming a successful magazine writer.

FAQs

What skills are essential for becoming a magazine writer?

Becoming a magazine writer requires excellent writing skills, creativity, research abilities, and the capability to meet deadlines consistently.

Are there any specific educational requirements to become a magazine writer?

While formal education in writing or journalism can be beneficial, it is not a strict requirement. What matters more is honing your writing skills and gaining practical experience.

How do I build a portfolio for magazine writing?

To build a strong portfolio, start by creating high-quality writing samples on various topics. Consider guest posting, freelance opportunities, or personal blogging to showcase your work.

How can I find magazine writing opportunities?

You can search for magazine writing opportunities through job boards, networking, reaching out to publications directly, or joining writing communities.

What are the different types of magazines I can write for?

Magazine writing offers a wide range of opportunities, including lifestyle magazines, trade publications, niche-specific magazines, and digital publications. Explore various genres to find your niche.