How Tos

To nab a byline, we writers toil over every word until a shining query letter is crafted, but, for Essence senior editor Tanisha Sykes, perfection simply means leaving no aspect of the article unanswered.

“The more detail you have, obviously the stronger the pitch comes off,” explained Sykes. ”So what’s the potential hed? What’s the potential working title and blurb? Tell us background for the story. Who are the key players, sources and/or statistics?”

Along with solid facts, Sykes said most importantly, “We really want to know why this story is unique to us and our reader.”

To find out specifics on word count, sections open to freelancers and how Sykes describes the quintessential Essence woman, read click here. [sub req'd]

As writers, we strive for perfection: that pristine copy free of grammatical errors. But it doesn’t always come easy. So, we’ve rounded up the most common pitfalls that cause an editor to take a red pen to your piece — and possibly skip you for assignments.

Mistake No. 4? Overusing em dashes. “Too many in one article (or worse, paragraph) can have the opposite effect and actually cause the reader to disengage. It’s the equivalent of extra exclamation points or writing in all caps,” writes mediabistro.com contributor Kristen Fischer.

Find out six more egregious errors and how to avoid them in 7 Grammar and Copy Mistakes Almost Every Writer Makes. [subscription required]

GOOD‘s mission is first and foremost, to do, well — good. The platform serves to help people learn about the world, live in it better, and accomplish what’s important to them.

So freelancers looking for a byline should embody ”pragmatic optimism” in their story ideas.  Tailor your pitch to be forward-thinking, creative, and solutions-oriented, said executive editor Ann Friedman.

“We want to pick apart trends and figure out where the opportunities are. We want to use personal stories to illuminate bigger issues. And we want to have fun.”

To find out what Friedman looks for in short, opinion-driven articles or longer reported features, check out How To Pitch: GOOD. [sub req'd]

WeightWatchers isn’t solely focused on losing those extra pounds.

“The magazine is looking at weight loss through the lens of overall wellness, because weight loss isn’t just about food. It’s about what’s going on in your head, about fitness and your overall health,” said Nancy Gagliardi, VP and editorial director of Weight Watchers Publishing Group.

So freelancers should seek to provide readers with the latest news on weight and health, and motivate them to reach their wellness goals.

“We’re looking for something that’s innovative and fresh and shows you understand today’s woman and how she thinks about her health, weight and her body,” Gagliardi said. That means ideas like ”parking further in the parking lot or telling people to take the stairs instead of the elevator is not going to cut it.”

To learn more about pitch etiquette, word count, and how your personal WW story can make it into the pages, read How To Pitch: WeightWatchers Magazine. [sub req'd]

All You‘s new tagline, “Enjoy life for less,” sums up the mission of its editorial content: to focus on practical, realistic and affordable ideas for the average working mother strapped for time. So, to nab a byline at this glossy, bring new strategies fit for a cost-cutting diva — but make sure it fits the standards of every All You story.

“We put every article — whether a craft, recipe or exercise tip — to a strict test: Is it real? Is it practical and doable? Is the information actionable and valuable?” said executive editor Susan Spencer.

To find out which sections Spencer calls ”fertile areas for assignments,” check out How To Pitch: All You. [sub req'd]