It helps to think of query letters having four key parts:
- The Hook – the first sentence of a query, designed to engage the reader
- The Pull – bring them further in by explain why this story is important now
- A Plan – how will the story fit in the publication?
- Why You – tell why you’re the best one for the job
Even if you’re worked with the editor before, frame new pitches this way. By providing editors an organized framework and analysis why the story works for their market you make a compelling case for them to hire you for the job.
1) The Hook
Grab the editor with a striking lead to your pitch. The first sentence or two of a query needs to hook the reader. Avoid indirect leads here – get your main point out ASAP:
- “Ten years after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, riding tides now threaten coastal Louisiana with a different type of storm surge”
- “LA and subways are incongruous, but the fact is the tube runs throughout Tinseltown”
- The key to family camping is preparing the ultimate packing list”
- “Here’s a comeback story: the role of travel agents, who are filling demand for travel booking in the go-go tech economy”
- “Now’s the time to visit America’s national parks, in the run-up to the 2016 centennial of the founding of the National Park Service.
The quicker you can sink your hook into a reader, the smaller the chance their attention slips away.
2) The Pull
Readers have engaged with your lead, now reel them in. Expand upon your hook in the next paragraph with “why now” reasons for the editor, such as an anniversary time peg , travel trend or sense of overall urgency.
“In the decade since the hurricanes the region has faced one challenge after another. Deepwater Horizon devastated the fishing industry, and global warming has contributed to ample habitat loss as the Gulf of Mexico steadily eats away at the LA coast.
And with this evaporation of land comes a serious challenge to the way of life of one of America’s truly unique subcultures – Acadian Cajun Country.”
With the pull, your goal is to heighten the readers’ interest in your idea and prepare them for your thinking where it could work in the magazine.
3) A Plan
With the plan, explain how you envision your piece fitting into the magazine. What type of story are you pitching to write – a roundup, a front-of-the-book short? And which sections of the magazine make the best fit?
Here’s where you can show off your knowledge of the title a bit, and impress potential editors with how you’ve done your homework, while suggesting a way your piece would work:
“In my article, “Disappearing Louisiana,” I’ll travel the back roads of one of America’s most unique regions – the Cajun country of Southwest Louisiana. I’ll explore what’s changed since Rita and Katrina roared ashore ten years ago, and how people are reinventing their ways of life in the face of an increasingly murky meteorological future.”
I propose a 1500 word piece for your ‘Open Roads’ section, or if you’d rather, I’ll profile two people who are fighting to preserve a culture that’s four centuries old against the odds and the elements for your ‘Movers and Shakers’ section of the front of the book.”
In the plan, you’re beginning to close the deal. When your query shows a solid knowledge of the title it makes a favorable impression on editors.
4) Why You?
End your query with a sentence or two touting your credentials and expertise.
Of all the folks who could write this piece, you’re the best one. Sell the editor on that!
Use your last graph of your pitch to show your expertise, and don’t just think about your bio and clips. Life experience goes a long way toward establishing why editors should hire you:
- “I went to college in Colorado and know the ins and outs of the state’s inter-resort ski passes”
- “I led horseback tours in the Santa Monica Mountains as a National Parks guide”
- “As Commissioning Editor at Lonely Planet I developed New Orleans 4 and won the Society of American Travel Writers award for Best Guidebook”
If you can tie in your writing and travel experiences, all the better:
- ““I’m a foodie living in Japan who loves exploring new markets and cooking new dishes”
- “As a native Louisianan I’ve driven Cajun Country roads my whole life, and have seen first-hand how storms and shrinking wetlands have impacted locals”
- “I run a travel site dedicated to music pilgrimages and know Memphis intimately”
End your pitch with your best shot at sealing the ‘why you?’ deal. If the editor’s read your pitch that far they’re interested, so close with a bang.
Q: What are some successful ways you’ve pitched editors? Tell us in the comments below.