Queries Anyone?
In the second half of this year I have sent out 50 queries to various publications. And a bunch of them have been made into articles and published. I feel great about that!
Here's a question, though:
My average is about 10 queries a month. How many queries do you super successful freelancers out there send out in a month?
I want to meet or beat whatever that average may be in 2005. I want to go full-time at freelancing so I want to be keeping up with the pros. Got ta have goals!
So, what say you, kings of freelancing? Will you share you numbers with me?
Thanks,
Alina
I think it depends on what type of markets are being targeted and whether or not there are on-going assignments with different businesses or publications.
Re: Queries Anyone?
I'm looking for an average. Usually when you are figuring out an average, the the numbers differ from time frame to time frame. You add the numbers together, divide by the amount of numbers you used, and that is your average.
At least that's what I learned in math class, though I was never really good at math.
Re: Queries Anyone?
I understand the mathematical concept of an average. I also understand the mean and the median.
But, what I'm saying is the number of queries a professional submits will also vary depending on whether they are primarily doing magazine, trade, or business publications and where they are in their career.
A person who is just starting out freelancing full-time may send out more queries than a person who has been freelancing for five years or more because the more established freelancer has a stable of customers who comes to them asking them with specific assignments rather than the reverse.
Re: Queries Anyone?
Well, I hammered out nine non-fiction book proposal queries and sent them to agents who accept email pitches, all in the manner of one night. Two hours later I received a long glowing acceptance response. Just this morning that happened again. So you see, I'm done for the agent route for this month, probably forever. Now, if that had been publishers I'd sent to, I'd have ended up in a bidding war and could have handpicked any agent. Oh, woe! Things like this are not supposed to happen. I've ruined exclusivity rights by shotgunning the market. So, whatever you do, make sure you
keep your queries far and away from two similar publishers.
In the old days I sent out about 25 magazine proposals a month. Sent out about 12 book proposals per month. But
as those previous posts state, it has to do with what you're sending and to whom. It all varies, so much.
Re: Queries Anyone?
You're making this much more complicated than it has to be. My initial post asked for numbers from magazine writers, not necessarily trade or business, though I wouldn't mind if someone quoted those numbers. I imagine most people on this board will note what they are talking about when they post. I trust everyone's intelligence. I can sort it out from there.
And the crack about math and averages was more of a friendly ribbing than meanness. I assumed you knew what an average was.
And, yes, I understand that an established freelancer has a stable of customers who comes to them asking them with specific assignments. I have been a freelance copywriter for more than six years, so I understand the customer thing.
That doesn't make me any less curious.
So for clarification, I'm looking for numbers from freelance writers that still send out queries as one of there main ways of getting business. You can be a writer for glossies, trade, business, specialty, whatever. You can give me a range, average, mean, or median. Or you can estimate!
These can be queries you email, phone, fax, or snail mail. You can even just tell me you just write articles and send them without queries. (I do that sometimes with editors I have a relationships with.) Or you can tell me you just get assignments from editors. I'm not picky! Promise!
*Wipes forehead* I think that covers everything...
Don't take it that I'm being cranky, but I just hate it when someone takes a post and makes it brain surgery.
I readily admit that I have a tendency to overanalyze things. I can irritate myself, too, at times, but I also have discovered that things I take for granted or assumed are not necessarily what others intended. Sometimes things I think are obvious aren't to others.
My post was not meant to be difficult but was meant to be helpful and truly was an honest answer from my perspective.
Re: Queries Anyone?
That's okay, Lori. No apology needed.
ulaz New friend
Posts: 1
(12/14/04 10:38 pm) Reply
Re: Queries Anyone?
In my experience, the number of queries goes down, not up -- so the number of queries you send out isn't necessarily a great measure (or predictor) of success.
It might be better to concentrate on impressing particular editors and trying to become a regular contributor to their mags.
Also, for the record, Lori wasn't the one who needed to apologize.
Edited by: ulaz at: 12/14/04 10:39 pm
Re: Queries Anyone?
As I already said to Lori, and I think she understood, there was no meanness intended. We are writing on a forum and things don't always read as we intended because of lack of facial expressions, inflection of voice, etc. I was trying to be funny at my own expense, not hers. If it sound like anything else then I am sorry.
Queries Anyone?
Got ta have goals!
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