How I landed my first print magazine article
How I pitched GLAMOUR as a newbie freelance writer
REMINDER: Magazine Writing Masterclass is NEXT WEEK! There are only four spots left in this course, which takes place on Tuesday, August 20th at 10am PT (replay available for those who can’t attend live). Get your spot before it’s gone!
About eight years ago, I landed my first print magazine article in GLAMOUR. I wasn’t a brand new freelancer, but I certainly wasn’t the knowledgeable veteran I consider myself today. The only clips I had were from Romper (my first gig), Ravishly, and a now-defunct Australian blog.
Basically, I had no business approaching the editorial assistant of a famed New York based glossy magazine. But sometimes boldness and a real lack of self-awareness pays off, and such was my luck.
I pitched a piece about my debt-payoff journey (I was deep in the Dave Ramsey sauce back then), and how it can be a path for women to find financial empowerment and independence. I was set to be debt-free by 32 (cackles; rolls on floor in double the debt I had at the time of that writing), and didn’t have financial support from my parents - so it was all about how to make frugal-as-hell choices in pursuit of this particular slice of the American dream.
Now, I can look back at that pitch and see exactly how and why I landed that piece. I had a niche angle, an incredibly service-based approach that spoke to their audience, and I knew exactly which experts I wanted to interview. AND I was lucky enough that the editor I pitched asked follow-up questions for all the things I missed (important statistics, specific advice points, how I planned to make the piece inclusive).
It was by no means a perfect pitch, but it covered some good ground, out of sheer luck if nothing else. And the process of writing for a glossy magazine, with rigorous fact-checking and multiple edit rounds, made me both a better writer and refined my future pitching skills tremendously.
But more than anything, it taught me that big bylines weren’t out of my reach.
The truth is, you don’t need the idea of the century or a slew of prestigious clips in order to secure a front of book service piece, even for a big-name magazine. You simply need to know who to pitch, how to pitch, and be confident enough to try.
Of course, luck won’t always get you there, which is why I’m really passionate about teaching writers how to become better freelancers. You might be an amazing writer with great ideas, but freelancing and pitching require different knowledge. It doesn’t matter how good your ideas and writing are, getting published means knowing how to sell them. And trust me, these are skills you can hone.
Want to learn how? I have two amazing writing course coming up to teach you the basics of Magazine Writing.
MAGAZINE WRITING MASTERCLASS
In this print specific course I’ll be teaching you how to:
Find editor emails and figure out who to pitch
Craft captivating pitches that editors will take to their editorial meetings
Search for expert sources to add depth to your storytelling
Understand editorial calendars to make your pitches timely
Negotiate higher rates for your work
Brainstorm big ideas that you’re excited to write
This live course will take place Tuesday, August 20th at 10am PT/1pm ET with replay available after, and it’s an absolute steal at $49. There are only 4 spots remaining, and only one week left to sign up!
MAGAZINE WRITING 101
For those looking for a more in-depth look at freelance writing, pitching, and all the basics you need for success, I’m running a six-week zoom intensive through Writing Workshops that covers everything magazine writing (both online and print).
I’ve learned so much about how to successfully pitch, negotiate higher rates, and get my foot in the door at bigger publications. The tools I have now would have made a world of difference when I started out.
When I was new to the freelance world I took a lot of jobs that were underpaid, unfulfilling, and unsustainable. This is the course that would have helped me get paid more, published more, and stay organized doing it from the start.
In this course you’ll get live weekly calls that cover:
Generating great pitch ideas and overcoming imposter syndrome
The anatomy of a great pitch
How to write a letter of introduction
Pitching etiquette and journalistic jargon you need to know
Finding your niche topics and becoming an expert
How to figure out where (and who) to send your pitch to
Staying organized to track pitches, assignments, and payments
Negotiating a higher rate for your work
Going viral, book deals, and so much more
Each week will include resources and homework to help you level-up your freelance writing skills. Plus you'll get access to all the templates and tools I use to make my freelance life run smoothly.
This course takes place Mondays October 14th - November 18th from 4:30-6:00pm PT/7:30-9:00pm ET
WORK WITH ME PRIVATELY
Want to work with me 1:1? There are lots of coaching options available and I’m offering free 30-minute consultations now through September 6th. Pick a time below, and let’s chat about your writing goals!