1. 340 By-Lines in Less Than Two Years… Eight Savvy Techniques for Landing Repeat Assignments By Roy Stevenson AWAI’s Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop ● Denver ● July 2009

2. My Freelance Story Attended this workshop in July 2007Attended this workshop in July 2007 Started writing September 1, 2007Started writing September 1, 2007 340 articles accepted for publication as of July, 2009 (less than 24 months)340 articles accepted for publication as of July, 2009 (less than 24 months) Different articles = 150Different articles = 150 Average of 3.7 articles/weekAverage of 3.7 articles/week

3. My Freelance Story Published in 72 MagazinesPublished in 72 Magazines “ “ 20 e-zines/websites “ “ 20 e-zines/websites “ “ 4 Newspapers “ “ 4 Newspapers “ “ 1 In-flight “ “ 1 In-flight “ “ 1 Newsletter “ “ 1 Newsletter Published in U.S.A., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, England, Scotland, Ireland, South Africa and In-flightsPublished in U.S.A., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, England, Scotland, Ireland, South Africa and In-flights

4. My Freelance Story Generated $42,720Generated $42,720 Free articles = 100Free articles = 100 Paid for 240 articlesPaid for 240 articles Average for each paid article = $178Average for each paid article = $178 Have made as much as $600 for writing an article the first timeHave made as much as $600 for writing an article the first time Have made as much as $1800 after reselling the same article several timesHave made as much as $1800 after reselling the same article several times

5. Why Do You Need Repeat Assignments?  It’s easier to pitch a story to an editor you “know”  Get to know editors so well they’ll take everything you send them.

6. Why Do You Need Repeat Assignments?  Financial benefits are greater with repeat business  You have a better idea of your monthly income

7. Why Do You Need Repeat Assignments? Your objective: get lots of editors wanting your workYour objective: get lots of editors wanting your work You won’t have to seek out new magazines to queryYou won’t have to seek out new magazines to query If you do a great job with your first article-- expect repeat businessIf you do a great job with your first article-- expect repeat business I’m running a 59% repeat rateI’m running a 59% repeat rate

8. How I Land Repeat Business…  in magazines  in-flights  newspapers  e-zines

9. Trick # 1: Pitch a New Article When You Submit a Completed One This works over half the time for me (53% of the time)This works over half the time for me (53% of the time)

10. Trick # 2: Pick One Idea at a Time to Pitch to the Editor!  Only when you have completed your previous piece  Don’t bombard editors with several ideas--this overwhelms them  They want to see you can complete an article

11. Trick # 3: Demonstrate Flexibility to the Editor  They might suggest a different slant on it  My motto is “whatever the editor wants, the editor gets”

12. Trick # 4: Deliver Your Articles on Time, and Well Written  This gains the editor’s trust  I promise the article within three weeks, then deliver within two weeks or a few days

13. Trick # 5: Keep the Editor Updated on Your Progress  If you’re behind schedule, let the editor know--they appreciate this  It also lets them know you’re conscientious

14. Trick # 6: Don’t Play Games with Editors  Be scrupulously honest when working with editors  They do not have time to deal with high- maintenance writers

15. Trick # 7: Always Ensure Your Article is Well Written  Editors come to rely on a certain standard from you.....  Don’t let them down

16. Trick # 8: Multiple Submissions = Multiple Acceptances  ALWAYS send multiple submissions  The main key to my success is aggressive use of multiple submissions

17. Multiple Submissions…  Boost your chances of getting an article accepted  If you don’t, you miss out on a huge market....  and waste a lot of time

18. Multiple Submissions…  Editors know freelancers pitch their work to many magazines simultaneously…  Encourages them to jump on your idea quickly

19. Multiple Submissions…  Amazing: “long shot” magazines have picked up my articles...  Magazines I thought were dead certs completely ignored them!

20. Multiple Submissions…  Create a list of potential magazines to pitch your idea to...  Fire off your query letters

21. Want to know more about… How I manage multiple submissionsHow I manage multiple submissions Where I find the publications I pitch toWhere I find the publications I pitch to How I write about topics I’m no expert inHow I write about topics I’m no expert in And more…And more… Join me for my next presentation… Thank you!