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Where to Find the Experts
By Patrizia M.J. Hayashi
“Write what you know.” I don’t know how many times I have come
across this piece of advice when it comes to freelance writing.
That’s great if you actually happen to be an expert in something.
For most of us, though, we often only know enough to be dangerous.
That’s why I would alter this bit of wisdom to say, “Write what
you’re curious about.”
Last December, I landed a gig writing articles for a newsletter
on horses. How much do I know about this animal? Aside from which
end is which, not much. But, the subject matter interested me
and when I came up with topics to write about, I went to the
people who did know: The Experts.
Make Google and Yahoo your best friends
Google ( www.google.com ) or search through
whatever search engine
you prefer the topic in which you are interested. Oftentimes,
experts will have websites up devoted to their topic of expertise.
I wrote about Equine Nutrition by interviewing an equine nutritionist
whose website I came upon when researching the topic.
Articles: If you read articles on the topic, note the experts
quoted in them or is the writer of the article the expert? Check
the bottom/end of the article for any links or contact information.
Do a search under the names listed in the article for further
information.
Forums: These can be a great place to network and ask questions.
Have a question on gardening, pets, computers, parenting, etc.?
You’re guaranteed to find a forum somewhere that has the information
you need to get started.
Yahoo Groups ( www.yahoo.com ): The number of
groups increases daily.
Registration is free. These groups draw amateurs and experts on
whatever the subject at hand. Join up, introduce yourself and tell
the group what information you need. Chances are you'll have an
answer or a lead by the end of the day.
Newsletters: Sign up for any newsletters in your subject area.
These often come filled with articles written by experts and
can give you ideas for articles of your own.
Associations: Any type of professional organization is a good
place to search for experts. For an article on equine acupuncture,
I found the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society. From
there it only took a few clicks to discover the name of a local
vet, who gladly provided me with the expertise I needed for this
subject. If the association doesn’t list people, drop their media
or PR department a line and ask if they can recommend someone.
Network: It’s the game of six degrees! Think about your family,
friends, acquaintances and co-workers. They might be an expert
on a subject or know someone who is. I took an online writing
class on how to describe Search and Rescue procedures accurately.
Aside from her role in SAR, I found out the lecturer is an avid
horsewoman and scout leader. I’d like to do an article on
emergency preparedness and evacuation of horses. I’m betting if
this woman can’t answer my questions, she can probably point me
in the direction of someone who can. It’s all about asking.
Find your expert and don’t let go
With the World Wide Web, contacting people has never been easier.
Once I’ve identified my expert, I drop them an email introducing
myself and my purpose in contacting them. Since my horse articles
are short, I list my questions in the email and ask if they can
get back to me. Should you require greater feedback, you might ask
instead to set up a time for a phone interview. Always be sure to
give a deadline in which you would like them to respond to you and
don’t be afraid to follow up if you don’t hear back in that time.
Most importantly, be polite. Let them know you realize they are
busy and are grateful for any time they can spare to assist you.
Lastly, take the time to say thank you. Let your expert know you
appreciated their time and insight. Do send them the link to the
article when it’s published or a hard copy. Down the road, you may
want to talk to this person again or get them to give you the name
of another expert. So build a list, guard it and keep adding to it!
BIO
Patrizia Hayashi is a freelance writer and author living in Tokyo,
Japan. Under the name Gabriella Hewitt (
http://www.gabriellahewitt.com ),
she and a co-author have their first book, Dark Waters, coming out
in September. The two also maintain a blog that focuses on young
writers and the YA market
(http://www.yacreativewriting.blogspot.com)
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