• Write. Even if it is just in a journal or on a blog. Do not wait for an assignment or a query idea to come to you. Writing, like any other craft, must be practiced regularly.
• Read. Reading improves your grasp on language. Read magazines, books, newspapers, blogs. Avid readers can distinguish various voices, styles and genres. Learn what you like and dislike. Be able to explain why. This too will help in the crafting of a unique and authoritative voice.
• Learn at least one of the specific style and usage guides, or be able to reference one or more. The AP (Associate Press) Stylebook is one style that is widely used. Others include MLA, APA, Turubian and Chicago among others. Each publication sets their own style but most base their styles on one of the specific guides as a starting point for consistency within and between issues.
• Determine the type of magazine you want to write for. If you want to write for a shelter magazine, read various shelter magazines. Even those that are not your favorite style. Want to review music? See how different publications report on the subject. Do you want to write for consumers or members of a specific trade in a business-to-business publication? Do you want to reach a local, national or international audience? Find your niche. Magazines abound and no matter what your passion is, chances are there is a publication tailored to that subject.
• Become an expert in the field you wish to cover. You cannot write music reviews without going to shows or buying music. You cannot craft recipes without cooking. If you do not have kids or education or work experience that involves children you are not a likely candidate for a parenting magazine.
• Start small. Write pieces for your neighborhood newsletter, write the events calendar for a publication or be a regular on a blog. Editors will not hire someone who does not have clips (or examples of your work). Be willing to work for free or at a limited rate when you are first starting out. While well-known and experienced writers can command rates per word or set high fees, new writers are often at the mercy of editors seeking a set word count for a set fee.
• Seek out writing jobs with queries. Most editors will not assign a story to someone they have never worked with. Pitch a story idea as well as sending samples of your work. After an editor prints several of your query ideas, written by you, of course, he or she will be more likely to assign other pieces to you.
• Be sure to spell check, use proper punctuation and grammar and make sure you have a clear introduction, body and conclusion. If you cannot handle an email how will the editor know you can write a feature-length article?
