tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956176634474051220.post8919296802949679609..comments2023-08-23T01:12:35.906-07:00Comments on Dollars and Deadlines: A Month of Templates: The Essential QueryAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518158232642872324noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956176634474051220.post-91884081149108385282012-02-21T18:08:18.723-08:002012-02-21T18:08:18.723-08:00Hi, Kimberly--
It dépends on the topic. Now I can ...Hi, Kimberly--<br />It dépends on the topic. Now I can research and write a query in 20 minutes or so (often less) but starting out, I'd say at least an hour. Source-wise, it's going to depend on the topic you're pitching. I might check Medline for recent studies for a health, nutrition or fitness pitch. If you're querying a business or tech topic, you may be better off citing a recent news peg tied to your subject. In Ready, Aim, Specialize, I have a chapter devoted to 10 different specialities; each lists possible websites, orgs, etc to find resources, too. And remember query-writing is a skill. The more you do it, the easier it will become--and the stronger your queries will be, too.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12518158232642872324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956176634474051220.post-80376878042831656252012-02-16T20:06:03.972-08:002012-02-16T20:06:03.972-08:00How much time do you spend on each query? How much...How much time do you spend on each query? How much time do you spend researching and where are the best places to find sources?<br />I am struggling to use my time efficiently and queries really challenge me!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13314122694723869194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956176634474051220.post-74051510678664728692011-01-04T06:02:28.915-08:002011-01-04T06:02:28.915-08:00Thanks, Kate! I do try to keep my queries to one p...Thanks, Kate! I do try to keep my queries to one page. If Oxygen had passed, I would have tweaked the query for another market (e.g. Fitness), but I wouldn't have changed that much--although I def would have changed the section of the magazine the story belonged in. I could have also tweaked this to send to a men's fitness magazine or a woman's magazine (in fact, I wrote a similar piece for Family Circle on "Dumb Exercise Mistakes").Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12518158232642872324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956176634474051220.post-802729592861965822011-01-03T19:50:32.080-08:002011-01-03T19:50:32.080-08:00Hi Kelly--
Great query, thanks so much for sharin...Hi Kelly--<br /><br />Great query, thanks so much for sharing! I love your format for all pitches, you really cover everything without sending an overwhelming amount of information. If Oxygen had decided to pass on this, how much would you change the query when pitching to a new pub? Thanks!<br /><br />-KateKate Parhamhttp://www.kateparham.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956176634474051220.post-43541128549335820002011-01-02T17:22:29.413-08:002011-01-02T17:22:29.413-08:00Thanks, Laura! :)Thanks, Laura! :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12518158232642872324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956176634474051220.post-10976787145326142332011-01-02T16:49:46.883-08:002011-01-02T16:49:46.883-08:00When I started freelancing three years ago, your b...When I started freelancing three years ago, your book was my guide. Six Figure Freelancing led the way to my success in obtaining gigs - your example queries were spot on. Thanks, Kelly!Laura Townshendhttp://biggreyhorse.comnoreply@blogger.com