| Back to Home > Bulletin Board > Beginner Issues > Topic: Advice on addressing editors in queries |
Topic: Advice on addressing editors in queries
| Author | Message |
| Ronasaurus Rex | Posted – 6/12/2008 4:19:57 PM | show profile Here's the dilemma: I'm drafting a pitch for a consumer magazine whose editor is named William. I, however, have read his copy for nearly 15 years and know that his bylines always call him Bill. I'm Ronald by birth but anyone that knows me calls me Ron. Will I seem like I don't know the magazine if I call him William? Which name should I use? Should I opt for professional or colloquial in this case? Also, should I drop a mention that I'm an avid reader of his work or will I sound like an inexperienced, starstruck panderer? Thanks for your help. |
| Village Gal | Posted – 6/12/2008 4:23:41 PM | show profile Unless you know him personally, or have worked with him already, I think you should call him Mr._____. Why would you use his first name? Mentioning that you enjoy his work is fine. |
| Scottie | Posted – 6/12/2008 4:29:58 PM | show profile More and more people are using first names -- especially in e-mail. Often it just seems wrong to use Mr. or Ms. Unless I am dealing with what I know is a formal situation, I almost always opt for the first name. I mean if Bill is editor of Geek Chic, or Maxim for that mater, you're not going to call him Mr. Doe. So I would say if the magazine is casual -- ie not Judge Monthly or Aristocrat Cigar Lover -- go for "Dear Bill." |
| Village Gal | Posted – 6/12/2008 4:53:07 PM | show profile Yes, it could depend upon the publication but I'd rather err on the side of formality until I hear back. |
| dribbledrive1 | Posted – 6/12/2008 5:27:12 PM | show profile This is the small stuff you shouldn't sweat. Just spell his name right. The content of the pitch is what matters. |
| Ronasaurus Rex | Posted – 6/12/2008 6:06:50 PM | show profile Just as I suspected... ...differing opinions! I agree, I shouldn't sweat the small stuff but I don't want to close any doors with the salutation. The magazine's language is pretty casual, as well as Bill/William's writing style. But they've got a circulation of 280,000. |
| jobhunter08 | Posted – 6/13/2008 3:44:26 AM | show profile I think for first contact, it should always be Mr./Ms. ____, then after than it's ok for first names. |
| jcpatterson | Posted – 6/13/2008 9:56:13 AM | show profile It probably doesn't matter either way, but I always use Mr./Ms. I figure it is best to go with the option that has the least chance of offending. It is possible to offend someone by being too familiar, but it is rare that someone will be offended that you used traditional means of showing respect. Probably, if you start up a conversation, he will say, "call me Bill," or certainly once he calls you by first name, you can do likewise. |
