Freelance writing: following up on queries and pitches

“Should you follow up when you send a query to a magazine?” a reader asked this week.

My answer is a fence-straddling “It depends.”

If you don’t have a history with the magazine and its editors, and this is the first query you’ve ever sent them, then No.

OTOH, if you’re a known quantity at this publication, and you’ve worked with them before, then sure, you could, if you have a reason – if the topic is timely, or you’re about to send the query to another publication, for example.

In my experience, if an editor wants an article, she gets back to you very smartly, within 48 hours, often on the phone. However, if the story is a “maybe” and doesn’t fill an immediate hole the editor has, then the story can be set aside. Getting in touch may just jolt the editor into making a decision.

Here’s what you could do if really want an answer quickly: collect five or six story ideas, and send them to the editor in a bunch. Just create a title, and a snap summary (no more than three sentences) for each idea. At the bottom of the email message or letter, ask about the previous query you pitched.

With this approach, you don’t look desperate, you look creative, professional and busy.

More on pitches in: “Get Started Writing Articles For Magazines”.

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