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Getting Published:
In Five Steps
Tips from Patricia Coate of emerson consulting group
1. The first thing to do is NOT to actually begin writing an article! Instead, first determine your primary business objectives: Which of your products or services would you most like to promote? What area of expertise do you most want to be known for? If you were to become a famous thoughtleader, what core services would you most wish to be known for? Do you want to expand your business by promoting a new service?
Once you have answered these questions, structure your article ideas around these topics to ensure that your articles will highlight these services.
2. Write a pitch (2 paragraphs) on the topic you want to write about. This pitch tells the potential publisher why their readers need to know this information to solve their business problems and pain. Remember this is NOT an ad for your service, but a discussion of the issues that plague business today. Then tell the publisher a little about the workable solutions your article will discuss -- solutions such as those that come from you!
3. Then pitch your ideas to relevant trade or business publications, locating them via a directory of trade and business publication (such as Bacons) found in any public library, or by searching the Web, or (sometimes the best tactic of all) by asking your clients what they read! Make your "pitch" via email to an editor.
4. Follow up with 2nd email or phone calls in a few days. If you call, make sure you're armed with a succinct, to-the-point 10-second synopsis of your article idea, then expect to hear one of two responses: "Sounds like a good idea. When can you have it ready for us?" Or: "Sorry, we just did that one a few months ago. What else you got?"
What's important here is to realize that editors depend on business leaders just like you to feed them ideas and to offer to write articles for them. So if the first idea you pitch isn't right (for whatever reason), they will be nonetheless eager to hear a 2nd and a 3rd idea from you. Have a few more ready.
5. The next step will be for you to write the article an editor has expressed interest in, submitting it within your deadline with your e-picture and bio. Then be ready to work with the publication's edit if he/she has questions or editorial comments.
Follow these five steps and, before long, you will be publishing regularly throughout the year, and perhaps getting ready to write and publish a book.Read other Thought Blogs