Why Haven't You Started Pitching Magazines Yet?
My good friends over at Berry Brewer Freelance want to get into print, but find the task daunting. For example, Lorna asked how on earth a person could research past issues and departments of a magazine without spending an arm and a leg. My answer to that is to camp out for a couple hours at your local library!
In fact, I realize that many of you are working parents who are pedaling for a free hour to pursue this dream of seeing your byline in a glossy. That's why I'm proposing this: Take out your calendar. Find a Saturday with no plans. Talk to your significant other or babysitter, and then designate that day as "Pitch Day." On Pitch Day, take your laptop to a WiFi-connected library, scout out a free table, SPREAD OUT, and spend 3-4 hours pitching. With the resources you need at your fingertips, you should be able to research and pitch at least a couple ideas to a couple different magazines.
Then, once those ideas are circulating, the trick is to keep them in circulation. As soon as a pitch is rejected (or goes unanswered for X number of weeks), rewrite it for another magazine. In this way, you should have a constant circulation of pitches keeping you busy.
What's your hold up? Why haven't you started pitching yet? Are there any questions I can help you with?
That’s a brilliant idea. A very creative way to solve a common problem.
Do you have any ideas on how to view the magazines you want to pitch that are not at the library? Of course, you can subscribe or buy sample copies, but it gets expensive if there are a lot of magazines you want to pitch.
If I may make a few suggestions:
You could try asking any place that provides magazines for customers if you may have them after a certain period of time.
Places I see mags: doctor’s office, car dealership (repair section), auto repair shops.
Also, if you put out the word to family and friends, many will be more than happy to have a place to deposit their mags!
A local dollar store carries two different magazines on a fairly regular basis. Maybe one near you has a title or two you may be interested in.
One final suggestion: a thrift (second-hand) store here in town frequently has old magazines for sale. Mostly National Geographic, Time, and the like, but a few others pop up from time to time. Thrift stores may be a cheap way to get some mags, too.
When you’re done with your research, many communities recycle mags – and teachers usually always need them for cut-out and paste picture projects for their students. Donate them to the thrift store, the library, or doctors offices, auto repair shops and the like. *laugh*
Or, pass them on to other writers!
WOW those are some great tips!!
This is a fabulous idea!!! Thanks so much.
Talk to your friends and family, even neighbors, to find out what magazines they subscribe to. Then set up a swap. Once a month, or every other month, plan a potluck get together where everyone not only brings a dish to share, but at least one magazine to trade. Good food, good company and good work!
freelance writer and author “Ways to Say I Love You”
I have many many magazines I need to discard.
I have not been able to put them in the recycle bin. I would love to give them to someone or someplace that would like to have them