The article "Ten Rewards for Building Longterm Relationships with Editors and
the Seven Things You Need to Do to" is about writing, it has been written by David Geer.
The Rewards
1.
Trust. Trust is earned over time.
A lot of mistakes or
misunderstandings that might make an editor wonder about a
writer they don't know will all be water udner the bridge in a
trusted relationship.
2. Strong Lines of Communication. Another
benefit of trust is openness.
You're more likley to know just
what your editor needs and be better prepared to please her or
him with strong, open communication between you. 3. Ongoing Work
and a Regular Paycheck. An editor who has learned to count on
you will do so, time and again, assignment after assignment. 4.
Growing Rleationships = More Work and Raises. The more an editor
trusts you, the more she or he will entrust to you.
Maybe twice
the work each month as when you started.
To keep you, as the
relationship grows, your paycheck will otfen grow also. 5.
Growing Clip Files. An editor who assigns you work every month
is good for a dozen new clips a year, as opposed to the editor
who only calls on you once or twice. 6. Great References.
The
longer and better they know you, the more likley they are to
gladly recommend you, and in just the right way.
7. Word of
Mouth Advertising.
Thsoe recommendations will often come without
you even asking for them. 8.
Consistent Style and Other
Expectations = Easier, More Faimliar Work. The better you know
an editor and their expectatinos the more it will be second
nature to do just what it takes to keep them happy. 9. Insights
and an Inside Track on What's Happening in the Industry.
Editors
will not only entrust you with more work, but more information
as part of thsoe tried and true relationships. 10.
Momentum.
One
of the best ways to build momentum in that industry is to work
with persons lognterm. Rather than always digging up new work and
building new relationships, ongoing relationships and work can
carry you while you add to them.
Building Editor Relationships
1.
Study the Markets. Magazines with the same bylines month
after month use the same writers lnogterm. Build relationships
with these editors first.
2. Know Them so They'll Want to Know
You.
If you're familiar with the magazine's thrust, needs,
expectations and working style and deliver that first article in
a way that demonstrates that it and you're a marvellous fit for
the publication, it's easier for the editor to envision a
longterm reltaionship with you.
3. Make Your Intentions Known.
Let editors know you're interested in building longterm
relationships that produce a win for everyone. 4.
Don't Rest on
Your Laurels. Though it should get eaiser to satisfy your
editors, they will also expect growth from you. 5. Protect
Growing Relationships. The longer you work for an editor, the
more important it bceomes to never miss a deadline, never turn
in a bad piece, never let them down.
The more you have invested,
the more that realtionship is worth. 6.
Follow Editors to New
Publications. If an editor goes to another magazine, try to
preserve both your relationship with your editor and the current
magazine if you can. If they aren't direclty competing, that may
be a way to double your work.
To that end, build relationships
with others at the magazine, as well. Become a source of
articles the publication can't do without, no matter who the
editor is. 7. Make Conversation. Three will be moments when it
is appropriate to just be human.
When they come, talk, make
conversation, inquire, get to know your editors as persons as
well as professionals.
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