How Do I Write a Compelling Query Letter?

GENERAL QUESTIONS

·	What is a “Syndicated Newspaper Column?“

·	How is an “Article” different than a “Column?”

·	How does one get syndicated?

·	Should I “syndicate” or “self-syndicate?”

·	How does Market2Editors work?

·	Which do editors prefer - e-mail or snail-mail?

·	How will my syndicated newspaper column be presented to editors?

·	Does Market2Editors send to ALL newspaper editors?

·	Are there any Newspaper Columns Market2Editors turns down?

·	How can I be sure my syndicated newspaper column isn’t seen as spam?

·	How will newspaper editors contact me?

·	What are my chances of getting published?

·	Does Market2Editors guarantee you will sell your newspaper column?

MONEY MATTERS

·	How much money does a syndicated columnist make?

·	How much should I charge for my syndicated newspaper column?

·	What are the benefits of writing a syndicated newspaper column?

·	How else can writing a syndicated newspaper column change my life?

WRITING YOUR COLUMN

·	How do I craft my syndicated newspaper column?

·	Is my column’s topic of interest to newspaper editors?

·	Do you need to be an expert to write a newspaper column?

·	Should my newspaper column be daily, weekly or monthly?

·	How many words should my newspaper column be?

·	Any tips for editing my own writing?

·	How important is my newspaper column’s title?

·	How do I write a compelling query letter?

MANAGING YOUR NEW CAREER

·	Do you have a sample contract for newspaper columnists?

·	How do I bill editors for my syndicated newspaper column?

SUBMITTING YOUR WORK

·	How many columns do I need to write to get started?

·	What are the prices and how do I order?

1	First, the query letter should state the scope of your newspaper column, (and the sample that follows should show how you are carrying out your theme.)

Take my newspaper column, Ask Rat Dog. It was about scams and frauds. Had I sent no query letter and had the sample newspaper column been about financial elder abuse, the editor would not have known if my column was about (a) seniors, (b) finances, or (c) elder abuse. By defining the scope in my query letter, I have cleared up this mystery.

Secondly, the query should illustrate your credentials. If it is a business column, you should state whatever educational or life experience gives you the authority to speak on this topic. If your newspaper column is humor, however, unless you won “Standup Comic of the Year,” your credentials are simply that you are funny. Don’t make the editor wait until they read your newspaper column to find this out. AND CERTAINLY DON’T TELL THEM YOU’RE FUNNY. Show them! And start doing that right there in the query letter. That is your credential.

How to write the perfect query letter

PARAGRAPH #1: Your first paragraph should introduce your newspaper column by ...

ü	Stating your newspaper column’s title.

ü	Showing the scope of the subject matter you will be writing about. If this is not obvious, use bullets to show samples which will demonstrate your topic is broad enough to supply them with material for many years. (Still, no more than 5-10 titles.)

Defining your demographic: If your demographic is obviously large--moms, for example--you wouldn’t even want to state statistics to point out how many moms there are in the world. Everybody’s got one--or had one--or been one. If the editor doesn’t know this, they should probably consider going back for their GED. But if you have a niche topic, use those stats. Not all editors realize how many people are interested that genealogy is something like the fifth most popular hobby in America, for example.

ü	Demonstrating “Benefit to the Reader” If it is not obvious, you might also tell editors why their readers need to know this information. The key thing editors are looking for is BENEFIT TO THE READER.

PARAGRAPH #3: Your last paragraph should simply state whether you charge for the newspaper column or are offering it for free. You can send prices if you like, but I recommend negotiating this in follow-up conversations with interested editors. Go here for more about what to charge for your syndicated newspaper column.

No-No’s:

1	Don’t insult the editor: Perhaps the most common mistakes I see is the writer attempting to persuade the editor that their column will bring more readership to their newspaper. NEVER insinuate you know more about the editor’s readers than they do. Big mistake. Huge.

Don’t toot your own horn: Don’t go on and on (or only just on) about how great your column is; how many people stop you at the grocery store; how many fans have named their first borns after you; how your column is the only reason people are bothering to buy the newspaper at all... Editors are not impressed by how many people YOU SAY are impressed with their writing. They are professionals and want to make up their minds for themselves.