Writing a feature for an exclusive magazine is a great way to get your name out there and become recognized as a writer. It can also help you find new clients, so it’s a win-win situation! Here are some tips that will make writing features easier for you:
| Takeaway |
|---|
| Master the art of crafting exclusive magazine features. |
| Understand the secrets to captivate readers with unique stories. |
| Learn the importance of tailoring content for specific magazines. |
| Use compelling pitches to get your articles published. |
| Emphasize the value of exclusivity to attract magazine editors. |
| Focus on delivering high-quality content and engaging visuals. |
| Build strong relationships with magazine editors for future opportunities. |
| Use your expertise to stand out in the competitive magazine industry. |
| Craft clear and concise articles that resonate with the target audience. |
| Continuously improve your writing skills to create impactful features. |
1. Pay Attention To The Tone And Voice Of Your Magazine
While you’re researching your magazine, keep in mind that they have a style tone, and voice. Read the magazine and find out what kind of writing they publish. If you pitch an idea that is not in the style of your publication, they may not be interested.
For example, if you want to write an article on how to get your kids outside more often during the summer break but the magazine already has several articles about this topic, it may not be the best fit for them.
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2. Read All The Tips From The Editor’s Site
Here’s what you should do next:
Read all the tips from the editor’s site. They are often happy to tell you what they want, so make sure you read them in full.
Read their submission guidelines and email templates carefully this will help you understand how to pitch your ideas, who to contact, and how to approach them for different types of content (i.e., features vs. news).
Check out their previous articles, social media accounts, blog posts, and comments sections so that when it comes time to submit your piece of work they recognize your name/face as someone familiar with their brand and trustworthiness as an authorial voice within it. This shows initiative on your part; editors love seeing this kind of dedication!
3. Pitch A Specific Story Idea, Not A General One
When pitching your article to an editor, you need to make sure that the idea you’re pitching is relevant to the magazine’s readership (and therefore likely to be accepted). You also want to make sure that it aligns with its editorial coverage and brand.
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4. Suggest A Deadline For Your Feature
We recommend that you provide a deadline for your assignment. It’s best to do this before you begin writing so that you can speak with the magazine editor or editor-in-chief about their publishing schedules and make sure your story fits into their schedule.
If you give them a deadline, though, be flexible: If they can’t meet it (or if something else comes up), let them know as soon as possible. The worst thing that could happen is if they’re waiting on your story and nothing comes in it might feel like an eternity! So make sure they know that if something comes up, they can reach out to you again at any time.
5. Provide Them With A Detailed Outline And Suggested Headline
Now that you’ve selected your angle and written an outline, it’s time to share your idea with the editor. This is where you’ll want to give them a detailed outline of your feature and suggest a headline for it.
They may not use your headline exactly as you wrote it, but just make sure that you’re being specific about the angle you are taking so there aren’t any miscommunications between the two of you later on in the process.
You don’t want to waste time writing something only for them to reject it because they thought something different than what was said during this conversation.
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6. Tell Them What Makes You An Expert In This Area
Now that you’ve got a good idea of what your article might be, it’s time to start thinking about why this publication should trust you. As a writer, you have to convince the editor that you know your stuff, and they need to see some proof of it to leap.
There are two ways to go here: either tell the editor why they should trust you as an expert in this field (i.e., “I’m a professional athlete/chef/musician”), or prove it with examples of previous work (i.e., “Here is an article I wrote on [topic]”).
The first option can be effective if there are enough details about who exactly is writing for them but don’t get too wanky about yourself! It’s much easier for them to believe in what you can offer them if they can see how talented or experienced you are firsthand…and this usually means showing off some past publications under their belt!
7. Use A Casual Tone Act Like A Friend In Your Email Pitch
When you’re writing an email pitch, it’s important to use a casual tone. This isn’t the time to show how serious and professional you are.
You want to be friendly and approachable so that the editor will want to work with you. Don’t be afraid to be funny or make jokes in your email pitch; this shows that you know how to engage with readers on their level, which is always appreciated by editors!
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8. Show Your Style With A Sample Of Your Previous Work
Once you’ve finished your pitch, it’s time to show them what you can do. The best way to do this is by sending over a sample of your previous work. If they like what they see, they might give you the chance to write an exclusive magazine feature for them!
The key here is showing off your skills you want them to know that you’re capable of writing a quality piece in their style and tone. You also want them to know that if they hire you for their project, it’ll be great because of how well matched it would be with your style.
9. Write Multiple Drafts Until You Get It Right
The process of writing a feature is an iterative one. Unless you are writing something that is completely out of the blue, chances are good that you have done the research, developed some ideas, and shared those with your editor and/or marketing team.
You might even have written the first draft and then had it reviewed by someone in the field to get feedback about what was missing or wrong.
Either way, there is likely more work to be done before your story goes live on the magazine’s website or the print edition. This can involve everything from changing words and phrases here and there to rewriting entire sections of your article as well as making sure that all references made in the piece are valid (and reliable).
You may also want to consider whether people will be able to understand what they’re reading when they pick up a copy at their local store or café; if so then don’t forget about them either!
At this point, I’m assuming that everyone knows how important proofreading is but just in case: make sure everything’s spelled correctly (including names) and check over punctuation rules while looking out for common grammatical errors like run-on sentences or poor word choice etcetera.”
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10. Get Honest Feedback On Your Writing
You’re almost done. Before you submit your work, make sure to get honest feedback on it from people who know what they’re talking about and won’t be afraid to tell you the truth. Don’t take their criticisms personally or as a criticism of yourself; just learn from them and use them as opportunities for improvement.
Conclusion
And there you have it: the ten best tips for writing a magazine feature. Keep in mind that these are just guidelines you need to use to find your way in this process, and not all of them will apply or be relevant in every situation.
You also shouldn’t feel pressured if one tip doesn’t work; just move on to another one! But as long as you follow the gist of what we’ve outlined here, you should be able to come up with an awesome article that gets published by a great publication.
Further Reading
How to Pitch an Article to a Magazine: Learn the art of crafting compelling article pitches and increase your chances of getting published in your favorite magazines.
Pitching Exclusives: Tips for Success: Discover effective strategies for pitching exclusive content to magazines and building strong relationships with editors.
7 Steps to a Great Magazine: Get insights into the process of creating a standout magazine, from content planning to design and distribution.
FAQs
How can I increase my chances of getting an article published in a magazine?
Craft a well-written and tailored pitch that aligns with the magazine’s style and audience. Highlight the unique aspects of your article and demonstrate your expertise on the topic.
What are the benefits of pitching exclusive content to magazines?
Pitching exclusives can create a sense of urgency and value for the magazine’s readers, leading to higher chances of acceptance and increased exposure for your work.
How should I approach magazine editors with my article ideas?
Before pitching, research the magazine’s content and tone to ensure your ideas are a good fit. Then, write a concise and compelling email that clearly outlines your article’s value and relevance.
How can I make my magazine stand out from the competition?
Focus on delivering high-quality content, engaging design, and a unique perspective. Understand your target audience and cater to their interests and preferences.
What role does visual content play in a successful magazine?
Visual content, such as captivating images and well-designed layouts, enhances the overall reading experience and can make your magazine more appealing to readers.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.
