Freelance Writing & Business Communication

How to Structure a Query Letter; Sample Query Letter

Excerpted from The Business of Freelance Writing to help you structure and write query letters, so you can effectively pitch newspaper and magazine editors:

Several people have asked me about writing for magazines and newspapers — something I did on a full-time freelance basis for a decade and still do, between corporate writing and training gigs. (Yes, you can do both!)

When it comes selling articles to newspapers and magazines, your query letters is key. When writing query letters, your goal is to:
- Capture the editor’s attention and demonstrate your ability to write
- Introduce the editor to a central idea, person, place, concept or situation
- Demonstrate that the topic is of interest to the publication’s readers
- Demonstrate that you are the writer for the job.

Talk, talk, talk… Let’s review a query letter template and a faux example of a query letter.

The sample letters, below, are set up as if sent by mail. If you are sending by e-mail, drop the name, address, and date. Include an enticing, but not silly, subject line, and then get right to the pitch.

Query Letter Template

Editor’s Name
Position (usually Editor)
Publication Name
Address

Dear Mr./Ms Last Name:

Opening Paragraph. Make it read like it might be the lead of the article. Or pose an intriguing question. Or outline a startling new trend.

Support Paragraph. Build on the introduction of the central idea and put your opening paragraph in context. Maybe include some statistics or trend information. Or discuss the economic, political, legal, environmental, or social/cultural reasons behind, or implications of, the person/subject/concept you are proposing to write about. Also, demonstrate a reason why the article would be of interest to the readers of the publication.

Source Paragraph. Demonstrate you have done some research and have access to sources who can comment on, or otherwise contribute to, your article. The higher placed the sources are, the more convincing you have to be about your ability to reach the appropriate sources.

Ask For The Order Paragraph. Literally, ask if the editor is interested in the article. If it is a time-sensitive topic, give a deadline.

About You Paragraph. A bit about you, and why you are the person to deliver such an article. Include contact information: phone, email, and Web site.

Sincerely,
Your Signature
Your Typed Name
Encl.: Clippings

Faux Query Letter

Editor’s Name
Position (usually Editor)
Magazine Name
Address or E-mail address

Dear Mr./Ms Last Name:

Is there any truth to the expression ‘an apple a day keeps the Doctor away’? Yes, and here’s the proof.

According to the Nutritional Institute of Canada, one apple a day contains the daily-recommended dose of vitamins X, Y, and Z. Apples are also an excellent source of roughage, contain no fat and very few calories. Apples make great snacks for kids. Baked or turned into applesauce, they can be used as a side dish for main meals or as scrumptious dessert.

The readers of (Magazine Name) are health-conscious individuals who are concerned about nutrition and diet. Would you be interested in a feature story on the healthy habit of eating an apple a day?

Along with verified health and nutritional facts about apples, my article will include an interview with the noted apple authority, Johnny Appleseed. I can also provide several of his favourite apple recipes.

I spent three years working in an apple orchard and have written short articles on apples for my community newspaper and church newsletter. Samples of my writing and a SASE are enclosed. If this article is of interest, please feel free to contact me at (xxx) xxx-xxxx or e-mail@mydomain.com.

Sincerely,
Your Signature
Your Typed Name
Encl.: Clippings

Note: If the query, above, was sent by e-mail, your last paragraphs might read something like this:

I spent three years working in an apple orchard and have written short articles on apples for my community newspaper and church newsletter. If this article is of interest, please feel free to contact me at (xxx) xxx-xxxx or e-mail@mydomnain.com.

Samples of my writing are available at www.mydomain.com. If you would prefer that I fax, mail or e-mail you samples of my writing, please let me know. I can send a Microsoft Word file or embed two or three samples in an e-mail message.

Excerpted from The Business of Freelance Writing, which includes over a dozen real query letters that worked.