Writing for Trade Magazines - Legitimate Home Business Idea.

What is a Trade Magazine

A Trade Magazine, as one might assume, is a business magazine targeted to a specific industry. The best part about writing for trade magazines is that whatever your interest might be, there's likely a magazine for it. Perhaps you're a contractor, or a contractor's spouse? Or maybe a nurse, or a CNA, a vet's assistant, a mom, whatever the case, there is a magazine out there with a subject you can likely cover.

A trade magazine is a periodical publication created for and read by people in a specific trade, or industry group as well as many people involved in this industry, people that provide services to this industry, etc. These publications are tailored to those person's in the industry, such as a nurse, a contractor, or a restaurant owner, whatever the case, it's very likely there are a few magazines covering the subject and providing articles that relate to the people living in that world.

Trade publications vary from nice magazines with glossy covers, to plain old staple bound newsletter type magazines, but you can bet, whatever the magazine style, someone is getting paid to write.

Getting Started as a Trade Magazine Writer

The first thing you're going to need is a target audience. Who will read your articles? To decide which trade industries you would like to submit to, one might consider starting with a basic list of interests; what topics can you write about? Milking cows? Farming? Work in a salon? Make a list of all the areas you have an interest in, and can provide useful information.

Start with your first job, and every job you've held sense, my first job was at Dunkin' Donuts, and you can bet that there are a few trade magazines read by the owner of a Dunkin' Donuts store; possibly even something specific to donuts, if not the general restraint industry magazines.

Later I worked in retail, a very big industry, with a lot of trade magazine opportunities there. I was a supervisor in this industry before moving into the human resources department, there are trade magazines for supervisors, retail specific supervisors, and the human resources industry.

Consider any education and classes you have taken, add any of these industries to your list. I went to the International Air Academy, in addition to taking a few general writing classes, the airline industry, another hit!

Now whether your list is just a couple of lines, or three to four pages, you have a starting point. Narrow your list down for now, to those things that interest you the most.

Once you have this down to three or four areas start a new page with each area as a headline, and think of any ideas you might have as for articles that pertain to, or will interest people in this industry.

The Trade Magazine Search Begins

You have some idea what you want to write about now, and it has become time to start the research process. Find every related trade publication you can get your hands on, read every article, see what others are doing, what editors are paying for. Look for an article submission page, or contact the editors of these magazines and ask for their submission guidelines, while preparing yourself to become a professional writer in this industry.

Trade Magazine article Ideas

Some of the things you may want to think over, as far as writing ideas are

• New items in the industry.
• Promoting Business in the industry.
• Industry Trends
• Experience Based Articles (i.e. Company and Professional Profiles)

Selling Your Trade Magazine Article Ideas:

By now you've done your homework, you have some article ideas, and you have an idea where you want them published. If you've been paying attention, you also know the submission policies of that publication, which in many cases begins with a query letter.

This is your chance to pitch your article to the editor of the publication(s) you wish to submit the article to.

Get the Editors Attention

The first part of this process entails actually getting the editor to open your email or letter. You need to get their attention here, starting with your emails subject line. Let them know right there in the subject what subject matter you intend to include.

Next, you have one sentence to keep their attention. You may consider actually using the opening sentence(s) of your article, if you wrote an attention grabber for an article; you should have some chance at getting the editors attention with this headline.

How not to Start Pitching Your Trade Article

What you do not want to do is start out by telling the editor who you are, face it; at this point he/she could really care less. You don't want to tell him you are new, or have never been published; these things in fact should never be mentioned unless asked.

If however you find that this becomes a stumbling block, try submitting something here on Jammies at Work, you wont get paid, but your name will appear on the website in which case you will have been published.

Put Your Research to Work

You put in your time researching the magazine that you intended to submit work to, now it's time to put that work to use. Bring your idea to life for the magazine's editor. Show him or her why the magazine NEEDS your article. What benefit will this article bring to the publication?

Your Trade Magazine Article in Detail

Using anecdotes, illustrations, or quotes from your articles, illustrate for the Magazine Editor what exactly your article is all about. In addition, show the editor that YOU are the person that should write this article, just why are you qualified to write for a trade publication?

You've made your pitch; you've shown the editor that he or she needs you to write for their publication, now it's time to reel them in. Provide the editor with your email address and telephone number, along with a line that calls them to action. Just like every good sales letter should.

Keep this in mind when closing your letter; it may very well be that the editor is sold, intends to hire you, but editors can be very busy, believe me you don't want to be put off until 'later' because there are more pressing things to be done.

Because later means that your email might just be kept, but never again opened.

Good Luck and Happy Writing from Jammies at Work ~ Legitimate Business Ideas!