Chapter 3

 Magazine Article vs Newspaper article  Similar in structure ▪ Eye catching leads ▪ Smooth flow of facts & ideas ▪ Based on solid reporting ▪ Use quotations and descriptions ▪ Few words to several thousand

 Differences in Magazine & Newspaper Features ▪ Magazine ▪ Subjective ▪ Point of view ▪ Newspapers ▪ Fact based ▪ Less opinion

 Magazine Features  Often written leisurely ▪ Not a lazy method ▪ Every word counts ▪ Must catch & hold readers attention  Use support ▪ Back up claims with facts ▪ Use examples to clarify info ▪ Facts build more credibility than opinion

 Leads ▪ Magazine leads tend to be longer than paper ▪ Depending on length of feature ▪ Newspaper leads need to be quick and strong ▪ Shorter article ▪ Need to draw reader in quickly

 Staff Writer Vs Freelancer  Magazines ▪ Often hire freelancers (good portfolio can lead to staff position) ▪ They present story ideas ▪ Pay per article ▪ Keep content strong ▪ Help publication to survive  Newspapers ▪ Use staff writers ▪ Stories are generated and assigned

 Staff writer vs Freelance  Freelancers ▪ Often have lots of time to develop story ▪ Usually working on multiple stories at once  Staff writers ▪ Usually have tight deadlines ▪ Get assignments from an editor

 3 necessary skills for freelance writers ▪ Ability to develop good story ideas ▪ Know what is appealing to a reader ▪ Be creative and find unique stories and angles ▪ Know magazines and what the want ▪ What type of stories does this magazine publish ▪ Who is their audience ▪ Be able to write a well organized article ▪ Writing skills should be strong ▪ Ideas should flow ▪ Articles should be readable

 All three of the skills listed should be mastered ▪ A good story finder ▪ That knows where to send them ▪ But can’t write  Won’t experience much success

 Stalking the elusive article  Look for the idea first ▪ Seek out potential stories ▪ Look for different angle possibilities ▪ May result in multiple features ▪ Search for potential publisher

 Look for market first ▪ Search for stories to fit that market ▪ Work on developing content ▪ Pitch stories to relevant publications  Work with clip files ▪ Read many magazine & newspaper articles ▪ Look for potential story ideas

 Matching ideas to markets ▪ Look for a focus/angle that will fit a market ▪ Develop story to appeal to that markets audience ▪ 4 Steps to match idea to market ▪ Scan publication types ▪ Study 3-4 issues of that magazine ▪ Look for similar stories already published ▪ Develop a persuasive letter to magazine proposing article