A Query Letter That Stands Out ------------------------------

Because most queries look and read same, your query letter must stand out.

"Devise a scintillating title and subtitle for your idea in style of magazine you're pitching," says Wood. "Center it and boldface it right up front after your initial introductory paragraph. Use bullets, numbered lists, indented paragraphs, italics or even boxes to set off important elements. Don't go overboard, but do something to make your letter stand out from pack.

"My former editor demanded that I do this whenever I proposed an idea to him because with a head and deck at top of page, he could envision instantly what it would look like in magazine," Wood explains. "I have used this technique ever since when approaching editors and agents, and have been told by more than one agent that my queries were best they have ever seen."

Your query letter should be no more than a page or a page and a half, and should contain a brief introduction as to why you're writing that specific magazine. Mention your expertise or interest in your proposed topic, and include one or two ideas, presented in decks and heads. In your closing paragraph, briefly mention who you are, your publication credits and how you can be reached.

Include one or two clips of your writing, but only if your clips are similar to your proposed topic. There's no point in sending a cooking article clip if you're querying a travel article!

Most Common and Crucial Mistakes Writers Make When Writing and Submitting Queries ---------------------------------------------

"Of all ones that I rejected, I found that writers were making same simple mistakes or omissions," Wood reveals. "Unfortunately, reject letters never tell you what you did wrong, so most writers just continue to make same mistakes."

According to Wood, there are 4 common mistakes writers commit when writing and submitting query letters:

Mistake # 1. Sending your query to wrong editor

"This is crucial," says Wood. "Call magazine, ask for 'Editorial,' and ask which editor handles subject you're submitting.

"If you're sending a query for a health article, ask which editor handles health features. If you're sending a pitch for New Products department, ask which editor oversees New Products department, and so on," he advises. "If receptionist gives you editor-in-chief's name or says, 'Just send it in,' do not accept this. Demand a specific name for your specific topic. If she can't or won't, ask to speak to her supervisor."

When Wood was editor, writers who took their time to do their homework, learn that he was right editor for their proposed story and then approach him directly by query letter always got top priority.

"Unfortunately, less than 5-10 percent of all submissions arrive to me--or any editor--that way. Writers who act in this manner earn my respect and I will assume they are professionals and treat them accordingly," Wood says.

And those who don't? Their queries don't garner much interest and go straight to slush pile.

Mistake # 2. Failing to narrow your story angle

"Don't send a query about horseback riding," Wood warns. "Send one about horseback riding for blind black women lesbians along Malibu coast during Kwanzaa. I'm exaggerating, but I guarantee you that a query like first example will go nowhere; one focused to degree of second example will find a market somewhere."

Mistake # 3. Not studying magazine thoroughly before querying

Take time to know what a magazine wants and doesn't want. Know its readers and style articles are written in. Do these things and you will be able to write a query letter that will catch any editor's eye.

Mistake # 4. Forgetting to include a self-addressed stamped envelope or SASE with query

5 Things You Should Never Do When Writing A Query Letter --------------------------------------------------------

1. Don't be presumptuous. Avoid even an appearance of cockiness or arrogance.

This costs. But not as much as poorly written copy. Face it. How long do you linger on a badly written site? It simply won't work. Period. Hire help you need or find another line of work.

It's Not Fair

Surfers become more demanding with each passing day. They simply won't tolerate errors on web pages. You can get by with one or maybe even two on an occasional page, but only if balance is flawless.

At first glance, this seems unfair. Most do not write well. How can such people demand that you do so?

Simple. They do know how to read. And they demand copy that is easy to follow. An error brings a stumble and annoyance. Much of either brings hasty exit.

Your visitors are, after all, volunteering their time to look at your site. Beyond a hasty glimpse at art work, unless it offends, their focus is on content.

That's what they came for. And that's what they want. You will be judged, and quickly, by how well you provide what they are looking for. And copy simply must shine. People won't linger long unless it does.

Bad Examples Give You An Edge

The abundance of poorly written sites offers opportunity. Put your site together in solid fashion, and you can put a lot of your competition out of running.

One of problems on Web is that most pages are self-published. There are no editors protecting against blunders as there are in print media.

As a result, sloppy or bad copy abounds. And if pointed out to webmaster, response is likely to be, "Hey. I wrote this. And I worked hard. If you don't like it, go away."

The point missed in comments such as above, is that visitors do go away. In great big bunches. They flee from patronizing or self-congratulatory drivel even more quickly.

It's a grave mistake to look at such sites, and assume you can be successful with such copy. Further, there's a hidden assumption you accept when you do so. You accept as fact that webmaster is "successful." Bad thinking, to put it mildly.

What's Required

You don't have to get fancy. Some who recognize their writing skills are not first rate, tend to become formal, even pedantic, when writing. That is, they put on "top hat and tails." Which is exactly opposite of what is required. For only great writers can pull such stunts.

You know your Perfect Customer. So just think about what you want to say, and how you would say it to him or her. In your shop. Over phone. Wherever. But just you and your customer. Nobody else.

Chances are you'd chat as you do daily with others. Do same in writing. If this doesn't work, say it out loud into a tape recorder. Then type what you recorded.

In speaking, we use a lot of incomplete sentences. And we have body language reflecting back at us that points out right quick anything not clear, misuse of a word, and so forth. But beyond cleaning up these kinds of things, write as you would speak to your Perfect Customer face to face.

To do otherwise, as in pretending to be profound, is to risk all.

Some Writing Tips