Know-How Exchange : Strategy

Having written in the past for a major, national business magazine, I can tell you that the most important question to be asked and answered is: Will this be of interest to readers of this specific publication?

Given that your publication deals exclusively with marketing, this seems guaranteed to be true in your case.

With respect to coming up with topics, I, too, wrestle with what to write about. You don't want to write something that's been written a hundred times elsewhere, and it's sometimes hard to come up with original thoughts and ideas.

Given that the publication to which you would like to contribute does not seem to have a lot of content on e-marketing, I think your first article could be a very basic introduction to the numerous e-marketing terms. You could touch on banner ads, text ads, sponsorships, dedicated e-mail marketing, maybe affiliate marketing, etc.

This could lead into a complete series, with one article covering one of the types of marketing that you mentioned in the first article.

The nice thing is that you don't seem to have a lot of competition with respect to articles on e-marketing. Do you have any idea why that is, though? Is e-marketing just not that popular in Kenya yet?

As for writing these two articles on spec (not knowing if anyone will buy or use them), I'd try to submit something that you've already written if the publisher is mostly concerned with your style. However, this could be a good exercise for you, too, and even if they end up not using what you write, you can always use the content elsewhere, either on your Web site, as a white paper, or as articles for other publications.

Hope this helps a little.

Good luck!

Paul

On the writing samples, they will likely be looking at these to see the quality of your writing more than the content. I would send samples that are of your best quality.

If they do accept your writing, here is a decent primer on some things to keep in mind:
https://www.realworldpr.com/articles/whatuknow_art.htm

In particular, it says to get the publications writer's guidelines and editorial calendar. From there (quoting from article) "The editorial calendar tells you what to write in your article. The writer’s guidelines tell you how to write your article. Now all you need to do is write the article."

sammykarij,

As suggested please submit something previously published.

Do not submit all you have had published (be discreet about what you choose).

You can not ensure that they will consider your articles worthy of publishing (so don't over burden yourself with this challenge)

Be confident about what you know you have the ability to achieve. (this is what most people will remember most about your work)

Finally just because they rarely have anything on e-marketing does not mean anything. If they have asked you to submit your work... go for it! A lot of people who have excepted my motivational articles and even clients of mine who ask me to speak have never before hired a motivational writer or speaker. When they ask me to submit something I could careless if this is there consideration. I just know that I was born to communicate. What are you born to do? When you figure it out stop worrying about what other people think and GO FOR IT! Is there anything else I can do for you?

Your Servant, Deremiah, *CPE (Customer Passion Evangelist)

Sammy

Agreed with all the foregoing - you should pick your two best articles on e-marketing and submit those.

I doubt the publisher is an expert in your subject matter... The real reason he/she is asking for

- two articles
- substantial articles
- with a short deadline

Is exactly because he/she wants you to submit something you've already written!

Why? To see if you are already a writer, not just a dreamer or time-waster!

The best response, in my view, would be to submit two previous articles straight away - well before the deadline - to confirm the fact you are ready to start writing professionally.

In future, when contacting people in similar positions, be ready to fax or e-mail several articles to them - if possible - while they are still on the phone talking to you!

Now that would be impressive!

Good luck - and let us know when we can read your articles on-line!

Cheers

ChrisB

PS Writing has one "t", not two... You might want to spell-check what you wrote before sending it to the publisher!

PPS If you need a spell checker for use inside Internet Explorer, Michele from MP/KHE recently recommended one called IeSpell which is a free download and works really well!