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How to Sell How-to
By Cindy Kerschner
If you ever read something and said, "That's a great idea, I could
do that," you know the value of how-to articles. If you read the
same article and thought, "I know a better, faster or cheaper way
to do that," you might have a future in writing how-to.
Today's how-to pieces are usually written in a conversational
tone; like you're sharing a secret discovery with a close friend.
You not only tell them what you learned, but also why it is special
and how to achieve the same results. Senior Living Magazine offers
these guidelines for writers submitting to their Hobbies section:
Highlight the uniqueness of peoples' pastimes; what they do, how
they do it, why they do, what drew them to it and keeps them
interested in it.
That's good advice to follow when writing instructional articles.
Cover all your bases. Break your steps down to make it easy to
follow. Be careful not to miss any steps. You can't take for granted
your reader will know what to do next.
Use simple language. Stay away from technical words unless it is
necessary for the article.
Don't forget to take photos! Step by step or before and after pictures
can do wonders in helping sell how-to articles. I added $140 to my
payment for my how-to on butterfly gardening from Backhome Magazine
with a few clicks of my camera.
Breaking into how-to usually starts with front of the magazine
department sections. These short, information packed sections lean
towards tips and articles that "build the better mousetrap"--compost
bin, lamp shade or recipe box--by you or someone you've interviewed.
Although these shorts don't pay top dollar, they are often a
foot-in-the-door with the editor when pitching a feature to his
magazine.
Maybe you're not handy, that's okay too. Money saving tips, recycling
tips and good old fashioned practical advice tips are also in demand.
I sold a "How to Win a Blue Ribbon at the County Fair" article to
Mother Earth News, a how to get "Free Mulch" article to Pocono Xpress,
and a how to save water (and money) in "Be Water Wise" to Green This
Life.
There are two types of consumers for how-to articles and tips:
lifestyle and specialized. It would benefit you to read the magazine
mission statement or "about us" pages to ensure your article fits
within their readership profile.
Lifestyle readers look for ways to improve their lives without giving
up their principles. These readers aren't looking for specific problem
solutions as much as new ideas they can implement into their daily
lives. Among these types of magazines are sustainability publications
like Mother Earth News which welcomes short articles for "Country
Lore" and "Firsthand Reports from the Field", 50 plus magazines like
Senior Living, home and family journals, and health and fitness like
Oxygen.
Specialized magazines target enthusiasts looking to further particular
hobby ideas. These types of magazines cater to every aspect and
different skills levels of expertise. Most welcome expert advice and
personal experience stories of how you did it. Some examples are
Threads for sewing enthusiasts, Garden Gate for gardeners and Make
Magazine about do-it-yourself technology.
Follow these guidelines and your readers will walk away with the "I
can do that" feeling. It also gives you a good feeling to share what
knowledge you have to offer with others; and get paid in the process.
LIFESTYLE
Radish
http://www.radishmagazine.com/guidelines.php
Yes Magazine
http://www.yesmagazine.org/about/writers-guidelines
Grist
http://www.grist.org/about/writers
Sierra Magazine
http://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/guidelines/writers.aspx
Natural Home Magazine
http://www.Ogdenpubs.com/writers/nh.html
Mother Earth News
http://www.Ogdenpubs.com/writers/men.html
Back Home Magazine
http://www.Backhomemagazine.com/guidlines.htm
Long Island Woman
http://www.liwomanonline.com
Old Farmers Almanac
http://www.almanac.com/content/writers-guidelines
Senior Living Magazine
http://www.seniorlivingmag.com/submissions
E Magazine
http://www.Emagazine.com/view/?1512
Oxygen
http://www.Oxygenmag.com
SPECIALTY
Ready Made
http://www.readymade.com/downloads/submissions.pdf
Make Magazine
http://www.makezine.com/submissions.csp
Garden Gate Magazine
http://www.gardengatemagazine.com/contact/tip/
Threads
http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/th_authorguidelines.asp
Bio:
Cindy Kerschner is a freelance writer living in Pennsylvania
where she has won the Governor's Award in Excellence for
Environmental Education. Her how-to articles and photography
have appeared in national publications including Mother Earth
News, Backhome Magazine, and Relish. You can reach Cindy at
http://writelane.wordpress.com.
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