Are you thinking about Christmas yet? You should be…

If  you are thinking about pitches for magazines you need to be several months ahead of the curve. I know the last thing anyone wants to think about right now is snow, cold weather and roasting chestnuts, but thinking ahead is a great way to get your pitch approved.

When everyone else is thinking about decking the halls, editors are looking to spring fashions and top summer vacation spots. Thinking and working on magazine editors’ schedules will help in getting your work to the top of the heap.

When thinking ahead, writers need to balance general with specific. Editors take risks looking to trends and future happenings and if you think you have a good beeline on a trend, go ahead and pitch it. Be prepared with great sources or a record of being an expert in the field to back up your pitch.

When pitching the general, look back at the last two years or more of seasonal information. This is a lot easier now with magazines putting much of their information online. A magazine isn’t going to put out the same topics every year at every holiday season. Even if summer articles always talk about sun safety, there’s something new offered each time, new products, latest research, etc. Think about a new angle, perspective or product debut you can add to your pitch.

Baby Talk magazine had a great article this month on sun safety for moms and talked to several moms who found out they had skin cancer. They talked to one mother about how she didn’t think she could get it because of her olive skin tone. The stories took a tried and true topic and made it interesting again.

There are many components to be a great freelance writer. Being able to anticipate is one of them. What trends are you recognizing in your niche or in an area you’re interested? What magazines would be receptive and why? How timely will the information be in six months? Answer these questions in your pitch and you may have yourself a winner!

Happy Turkey Day!

If you are celebrating Thanksgiving today, I have one tip for you – get off the computer! We love the hits and your loyalty, not to mention your dedication to all things freelance writing, but seriously, go eat some turkey and relax with family or friends.

Not everyone has a family to go home to and that’s okay too, why not cuddle up with your pet, a good piece of pie and just reflect on what sends your gratitude meter into overload.

I’ll share a secret: I’m grateful for you, our FWJ readers, and not because I’m getting paid to do a job. You all are a great group of people and while I’m always thankful for a gig, I’m especially thankful because this is a gig I love.

Each day I receive feedback on how something I’ve written has been helpful or funny or whatever, is a day I walk a little taller. You see, writing is not only a love, this field has allowed me to stay home with my girls and to live a fantastic and interesting life. So thanks guys!

What are you grateful for today?