Freelance Writing: 7 Tips to Develop a Strong Relationship with Editors for Repeat Business
By Roy Stevenson

Wouldn’t it be great if you had a cadre of editors who accept your articles for every one of their issues? With this arrangement you could count on a certain monthly income. But realistically, freelance writing is never going to be that stable. However you can settle for second best--getting your work into their magazine as frequently as possible.

In the past 21 months, I’ve had over 330 articles accepted for publication in ninety different magazines, newspapers and Ezines. Fifty-one of these magazines have taken additional articles after accepting my first one.

So, I’m batting an average of 56% for repeat business—I’ve been told these are pretty good odds. Here are some ideas about how you can establish a relationship with editors that raise your odds of getting repeat assignments.

Freelance Writing Tip #1:
Send a pitch for a new article idea when you send a completed article

This works about half the time for me. It’s much easier to get repeat business with the same editor than hunting down and “breaking in” a new editor. If the editor declines your pitch, try another idea. Editors appreciate loyalty to their magazine, and respect persistence.

Freelance Writing Tip #2:
Pitch one idea at a time, and only when you have completed your previous piece

Bombarding an editor with several ideas simultaneously overwhelms them, and they want to see you can complete something before starting another story.

Freelance Writing Tip #3:
Demonstrate your flexibility to the editor

An editor might accept an article but suggest a different slant to it. My motto is “whatever the editor wants, they get”. Accept the fact that editors understand their readership better than you do, so if they suggest a different approach to a story, you’d better listen.

Another way to demonstrate flexibility is by remaining open to changes they make to your work. Don’t take it personally if editors cut your article down. Conversely, if an editor requests a sidebar to enhance your article, do it fast and do it well. Likewise if you are sent a galley proof of your article to check for errors, do it thoroughly, and send it back promptly.

Freelance Writing Tip #4:
Always say “yes” if an editor suggests contract work for you

This is a freelance writer’s dream—an editor calls and says “I need a story about . . ., and fast”. Drop what you are doing and gain the points with the editor. But never promise an article you can’t deliver—that effectively closes the door to any future relationship.

Freelance Writing Tip #5:
Deliver your articles on time (and well written)

This helps gain an editor’s trust. I promise my editors the article within three weeks then deliver within two weeks.

Freelance Writing Tip #6:
Don’t play games with editors

Be scrupulously honest with editors. I once had an article accepted by editors of two competing magazines, leaving me in a quandary. I contacted the second editor and told her the story was taken, but would she be interested in another article about a related topic? She took it.

Freelance Writing Tip #7:
If you’re behind schedule with an article keep the editor updated on your progress

I had a written article completed for a regional magazine, but had to wait for better weather to drive east of the Cascade Mountains to take some landscape photos. I kept the editor informed about this, and he appreciated the updates. Today I’m his premier writer, and recently had four of my articles published in one issue of his magazine.

Once you’ve established a “sacred bond” with an editor by practicing these tips, you’ll find them much more receptive to future article suggestions. Many editors like to have a regular stable of writers they can count on for good solid articles—writers who are tuned in to their magazine.

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