SELF-PROMOTION
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Start Small = Big Results
You might approach an editor with the most enticing idea for a feature story but, unless you have very strong credentials, many editors will be wary of commissioning you if they don't already know you and have maybe worked with you a couple of times.
Even if a writer has a long list of impressive-looking clips, the editor still can't be sure commissioned articles will be delivered on time, in the required format, and with all necessary sidebar information, or that the writer works in a professional manner and is pleasant to deal with.
If you are in the position of having to propose stories to editors who don't know you, one option is to attach your manuscript to your query. By doing this, you clearly overcome any doubts the editor might have about whether or not you can deliver the article on time. However, this would only work if the editor is happy to consider manuscripts which haven't been specifically requested.
In other instances, when you can't submit a manuscript before an editor has confirmed interest in your query, approach editors you don't know with queries for shorter pieces, initially. All travel writers want to produce the cover feature for their favorite publication, and this is totally understandable. However, until you are well-known to the editor, you will stand a much greater chance of having queries accepted if you query departments that carry shorter, and therefore lower risk, pieces.
Once you have demonstrated a couple of times that you can deliver, on time, quality writing that fits the publication's style and readership, you can then move on to proposing longer feature articles. The editor, who should have confidence in you by that time, will be much more receptive to such photo story queries from you, whereas if you propose a long-feature as an unknown contributor, you'll in most cases be setting yourself up for a rejection slip.
John Langford is a freelance travel writer and has produced a course on how to break into the profession: www.FreelanceTravelWriter.com.
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