Tatiana Claudy, a regular contributor here, has written 40 articles, devotions, and book reviews  for Creation Illustrated, Christian Communicator, The Upper Room, and Learning Through History magazines, as well as FundsforWriters and Spirit-Led Writer e-publications.

 

Be a Smart Marketer

by Tatiana Claudy

 

      "You cannot sell your inspiration, but you can sell your manuscript" (Aleksandr Pushkin). As writers, we would prefer to dedicate all our time and passion to the creative part of our vocation. Still, to make a living at it, we need to be entrepreneurs. Marketing is not an option for us, but a necessity. In fact, it may consume about half of our writing time. Is there a way to do it with less toil and more productivity?

     During my years of freelancing, I have developed the following marketing techniques to make this process more productive.

 

Plan Submissions

Decide how many manuscripts you will send and where. Writing for the same periodicals and editors is time efficient. As soon as you have broken into a publication do not let its editor forget your name. If you have to wait several months for an editor's response, find out whether you can simultaneously submit a few pieces for different departments (e.g., a feature article, an anecdote, and a book review).

 

List Prospective Markets

List possible markets for each manuscript, and pay attention whether these publications accept reprints and simultaneous submissions. Is there a difference in payment for first and reprint rights? Do not submit your original article to a periodical to which you can later sell a reprint.

 

Look for Updates of Guidelines

Stay up-to-date on markets by regularly checking writers' guidelines for changes. Look for them at periodical Web sites, read markets news in writers' magazines (e.g., "Market Report" in Writers' Journal or "Write Market" in Christian Communicator). Write and ask editors questions about their guidelines, e.g., would they consider for publication articles that were published online. I have sold several articles as a result of my questions.

 

Query Regularly

Compose a minimum of one query each week or as many as you can squeeze into your writing schedule. "As a freelancer your ultimate goal is 100 percent employment," noted Lisa Collier Cool, an author of several books, "and to get it you must keep a constant stream of submissions pouring out of your typewriter at all times." Continue to do so even if you have assignments for half a year. This practice will guarantee your steady employment regardless of possible changes in publications.

 

Work on New Projects

In your calendar, mark approximate dates of editors' replies (you can find this information in writers' guidelines) and move on to your new projects. Do not waste your time anxiously waiting for responses to your queries or manuscripts submissions.

 

Diversify Your Work

Leave your comfort zone, and write in new genres. Did something funny happen to you? Write an anecdote. Do you like to talk with people? Write an interview. Query to find out if magazine departments and columns are open for freelances.

 

Have a Written Contract 

Without a contract, "you have no legal agreement to what this publisher can and cannot do with your words," warned Mary Freeman Rosenblum, editor of the Long Ridge Writers Group Web site. Read every contract carefully, and do not sign it if there is something you do not understand or agree with. Learn more about contracts at Ivan Hoffman's Web site (at www.ivanhoffman.com/helpful.html ).

 

Negotiate Contracts

Keep as many rights for your manuscript as you can. For example, in a contract specify in what language you are selling some rights; keep translation rights if you can sell them  yourself. If an editor insists on all rights, offer them for a limited period. Do not sell all rights unless you cannot find a better market for your story or it is a prestigious publication that you want on your resume.

     "Carefully consider the price you're being offered," advised the editors of Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market, "to determine whether you'll be compensated for the loss of other potential sales." For more help, read the article Understanding Rights and Copyright by Moira Allen (at www.writing-world.com/rights/copyright.shtml ).

 

Keep Track of Your Submissions

Know what rights you have sold, where, and for what period. Keeping good records will spare you the embarrassment of sending a rejected manuscript to the same editor. Also keep track of dates for payment; and if you do not receive your honorarium in time, politely remind an editor.

 

Sell to Noncompetitive Markets

Submitting manuscripts to noncompetitive markets (e.g., regional or denominational publications) will give you more opportunities for selling reprints. For instance, I sold several of my original pieces to Canadian publications, then sold reprints to American ones, and vice versa.

 

Sell First to Print Periodicals

Some editors will not buy reprints of manuscripts that were published online. Bear in mind before you post original pieces on your Web site that they are considered to be published if they are posted in public internet space.

 

Circulate Published Manuscripts

Kathryn Lay, who sold more than 1,100 articles, stories, and essays, keeps from 30 to 60 manuscripts in the mail. "If there is nothing in the contract that says I have to wait such as 30 to 60 days or sometimes longer, I send it out almost immediately after the publication date." Make a note of the ‘resubmit date’ on your calendar and check approximate dates of editors' replies (you can find this information in writers' guidelines).

 

Don't Let Rejections Stop You

Resubmit rejected queries and manuscripts immediately until you try all suitable markets. Remind yourself that a rejection has nothing to do with your writing gift and often is one person's opinion. For example, I sent my twice-rejected article to a Web site and in 23 minutes received an encouraging note from its editor and a contract.

 

Search for New Markets

Dedicate one day weekly to the task of finding new markets. "As you investigate the possibilities," wrote Lee Wyndham, an author of more than 50 books in Writing for Children and Teenagers, "evolve your own market list - one that fits your particular kind of material." Study reference books like Writer's Market, Christian Writers' Market Guide, and Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market. Also try online directories, such as www.writerswrite.com/guidelines ; and subscribe to writers' newsletters with listings of markets.

 

Be Cautious With New Markets

Treat a new market as you would a new client. Read the guidelines carefully and do not be afraid to ask editors questions. Will they pay you? When, and how much? Or do they offer you an exposure in exchange for your quality manuscripts? Will you receive a contributor's copy of a publication? Is this a good market for you?

 

Avoid Questionable Markets

You will find warning reports on deadbeats markets and publications with unfair contract terms at www.nwu.org/nwu/index.php?cmd=showPage&page_id=1.3.12.2  and at http://www.writersweekly.com/whispers_and_warnings.php.. Look for dead and dying markets at www.writenews.com/deadzone .

 

     Are you eager to be a smart marketer? Remember: "It isn't enough to see the market and to know you can submit to it," admonishes Kathryn Lay, "you must also take action."

 

 

FREE online publications for writers with listings of markets:

 

E-zines

 

Busy Freelancer

www.writefromhome.com/busyfreelancer.htm

 

Newsletters:

Absolute Markets
www.absolutemarkets.com

 

FundsforWriters
www.fundsforwriters.com  

FFW Small Markets
www.fundsforwriters.com  

Worldwide Freelance Writer
www.worldwidefreelance.com/newsletter.htm  

WritersWeekly.com
www.writersweekly.com  

Writing for DOLLARS!
www.writingfordollars.com