Hint #6 Land your first gig

MAGAZINE HEALTH WRITING BASIC 12 part – 6

So you’ve found your starting point, networked with other writers to get the lay of the land, identified possible markets, developed article ideas, crafted killer queries, and emailed them to specific editors. When you didn’t hear back, you followed up. And when you still didn’t hear back, you tweaked and polished your queries to make them even better, and retooled them for other markets.

Chances are that sooner or later you’ll hear from an editor. Way to go! But  now what? Most people think this is the easy part. But the work is just beginning.

First, you have to negotiate the assignment. Here’s what you need to know about the assignment before you write word one:

1. What type of article is it? A feature, a service piece, a short news item, an investigative piece? Just because you pitched a feature about a certain topic doesn’t mean that’s how the editor will assign it. She may like your idea but need you to write it in a different way to fit their needs. Make sure your editor gives you the details.
2. How many words? Magazines and newspapers assign a certain length article based on space. It’s important not to come in short, but don’t go more than 10% over word count without checking in with your editor. If you’re writing for a health website, going over word count isn’t such a big deal. But since you’ll most likely be paid by the word, there’s no reason to go to far overboard.
3. Will the assignment include sidebars? You may have suggested a sidebar in you query. If not, your editor might ask for one. If not, you can suggest an idea for a sidebar now. This might boost the word count (and your pay).
4. What’s the pay rate? A good assignment can pay anywhere from $.50 per word to 2.50 per word and occasionally higher. The important thing isn’t the word rate but how long it will take you to complete the assignment. If you’re a new writer, the pay rate is less important because you’re learning on the job and building your portfolio. Otherwise, it doesn’t hurt to ask for more. This is where networking with other writers comes in. You can ask other writers what the publication typically pays. That way you can identify when you’re getting a low offer (not unusual) and you can confidently ask for a higher rate.
5. What is the deadline? If you want to be taken seriously as a health writer, you must meet deadlines. So if the deadline seems tight, ask for more time up front. Increasingly, editors are asking for impossible deadlines. Remember, you’re not on staff so you may have multiple assignments to juggle from different publications. Typical deadlines run from two weeks to two months.
6. What’s in the contract? These days, there are few writers contracts that don’t stink. That’s just what’s happened in the industry. To find out how to negotiate rights grabby contracts with dastardly indemnity clauses and more, check out Eric Sherman’s WriteBiz blog
7. What else? Each publication has its own way of working. Some want you to send them an outline first. Some want you to send an invoice when you file your article, some want you to wait until after the editing process. Some offer a style sheet. Some expect you to have ESP (our pick it up from reading their articles). Some want studies no older than two years and experts with letters after their name from top medical centers. Some want “real people” sources and anecdotes. If your editor doesn’t volunteer this information, ask.

Next you’ll begin sleuthing out the research and calling experts before you begin writing.

Happy Health Writing,

Kathy Summers

[See the full list of 12 hints here: 12 Hints for Magazine Health Writers]