Writing Forum - All Freelance Writing Forums

Short URL: http://3bm.co/pZ3GQf

A A A

Topic RSS

What are the prospects of selling (magazine) articles that are already written? How does one go about it?

January 7, 2013
3:52 pm

J. S. Hubbard

Member

Forum Posts: 4

Member Since:
January 7, 2013

Offline

Undoubtedly my questions are a tip-off to my beginner status. If I may, I'm an English teacher at CETYS Universidad located in beautiful Enesenada, Baja California, Mexico. I have written some articles that have appeared in some of the gringo newspapers around northern Baja, but otherwise have no experience in freelance writing stateside. I have read that one way sell an idea for an article is to submit a query proposing the idea accompanied by a portfolio. However, what if one has already written some pieces and would like to try to sell these? I have read nothing about how one would go about attempting to market complete articles. I would be grateful for any insight you might provide.

Short URL: http://3bm.co/pZ3GQf

January 19, 2013
4:26 pm

Samanta

Member

Forum Posts: 20

Member Since:
January 2, 2013

Offline

I guess that if you even choose to sell previously sold article, you have to inform your client about this very fact. Otherwise, misunderstanding can take place.

Short URL: http://3bm.co/pZ3GQf

January 20, 2013
4:52 am

J. S. Hubbard

Member

Forum Posts: 4

Member Since:
January 7, 2013

Offline

Thanks for the reply. I should have mentioned that the articles have not previously appeared in any publications. The reason I ask is, when I think about it, it would seem to me that a magazine would appreciate reviewing a completed piece before purchasing and including it in an issue as they would know precisely what they were buying and publishing. In the "query scenario", a story/article proposed by a writer, even a reputable one, is still something of an unknown variable. I would be grateful for any comments from the folks who know the business. If anyone has had any luck selling completed articles, I would enjoy hearing about it. Thanks!

Jack Hubbard

Short URL: http://3bm.co/pZ3GQf

January 20, 2013
12:57 pm

Jennifer Mattern

Admin

Forum Posts: 480

Member Since:
February 11, 2010

Offline

It's going to depend on the publication. Do whatever they state in their writer's guidelines. If they want a query, send a query. Many in that boat won't even read an unsolicited manuscript. That takes more of their time. If they expect you to write on spec (generally considered a bad thing for freelancers as you're doing work without any guarantee of pay), then do that. Personally I wouldn't even bother pitching publications that require spec work.

Your time is valuable. Put it toward paying projects or marketing yourself to clients who respect you enough not to ask for spec pieces. They should be able to commit based on your portfolio and the background in the query.

If you don't have a portfolio yet, that's the one time I'd say spec work could have a place, although there are other ways of building that portfolio such as publishing features on your own specialty site, guest posts for online samples, or publishing samples for nonprofit newsletters and magazines for organizations you care about.

Short URL: http://3bm.co/pZ3GQf

Jennifer Mattern – Professional Blogger and Freelance Business Writer Business Writer | Indie Publishing | Social Media | Small Business

January 20, 2013
10:41 pm

J. S. Hubbard

Member

Forum Posts: 4

Member Since:
January 7, 2013

Offline

I'm sure I speak for all of the inexperienced writers when I say thank you for sharing your insights and experience.

Short URL: http://3bm.co/pZ3GQf

January 21, 2013
6:16 am

Jennifer Mattern