How to Write a Professional Query Letter

One of the most important things that a professional freelance writer does is to send out query letters. You need to send query letters out to prospective employers in order to work as a freelance writer.

For many people though, the query letter itself remains somewhat of a mystery. So, read on to learn more about the query letter process.

What is a query letter?

A query letter is an introductory letter from you to an editor. You send a query letter to a publication in order to express your interest in working for them.

Why do you send a query letter and not a resume?

You send a query letter to an editor in order, not only to introduce yourself, but also to outline your story idea. A query letter acts as your story pitch. Most publications that hire freelancers ask that you to "send query" or "query first." It is very rare for an editor to even read a story that was sent in with out being queried first.

Sending a full story to an editor whom you do not already have a working relationship and understanding with screams amateur. More than likely, your story will end up right in the trash.

It is also very rare for you to send a resume to an editor for a freelance article. Usually, the only time you will send a resume is if you are applying for an ongoing freelance position at a newspaper. Magazines and other periodicals just do not require that much information from you. They are more interested in the story you can write than your complete work history.

What types of information should be in a query letter?

In a query letter you need to include your work experience as it relates to your story pitch. This does not mean that you should copy and paste pieces of your resume in to your query letter.

You need to tell your prospective editor what experiences you have that will allow you to write this article better than anyone else.

If you have little or no experience writing for a print publication, than don't mention it in your letter. You want to focus on the experience that you do have. Again, a great way to scream amateur is to send a query letter that says something like:

"Even though I have not been published, I believe that I can..."

Query letters are your first impression, make it count!

Credit: Janine Logue

Copyright: Janine Logue