Trade Publications: The Hidden Gems for Growing Your Writing Business

Starting out as a freelance writer has its challenges.

The biggest, of course, is getting published.

Many freelance writers pursue the popular glossy magazines found at your local drugstore or newsstand.

Some writers may even submit query letters on a daily basis to their favorite magazines without success, which is half the battle of being a writer.

Another avenue for finding work is within the trade publications.

What are trade publications?

These are the magazines published within the different industries for their subscribers and members, such as construction, real estate, hotel management and insurance.

Perhaps you receive a monthly magazine from your auto insurance company.

That would be considered a trade journal or trade publication.

Or maybe your day job is at a local construction company and every month you receive magazines about the construction industry.

These are just a few examples of trade publications.

Many writers are unaware of this hidden market.

What you don’t see, you don’t know.

And what you probably don’t know, too, is that this is sometimes an easier market to break into.

There are a few ways to get work from these hidden gems.

Where to Find The Trades

First, if you have a day job, think about the industry you work in and look around the office for monthly publications.

Take a moment to glance through the pages and you’ll probably notice numerous articles about the latest and greatest within that industry or profiles of industry leaders and their success stories.

The best industry to get into is one that you’re already familiar with or know people in.

Look at the publications you may be getting at home from your insurance company, healthcare provider or the local pottery shop in town.

Think about your hobbies and interests as they have publications that go to their members and subscribers.

You don’t necessarily have to be an expert within the field, but if you have a basic knowledge of it, you can probably write about it.

Think about all the different industries you encounter every day; your dentist, the grocery store, your favorite family restaurant, your children’s school, and the landscaper, to name a few.

You can look up all the trade publications by going to the Standard Rate and Data website (www.srds.com).

How to Approach The Trades

Now you’re probably asking, “How do I approach these publications”?

Most often these magazines don’t have writers’ guidelines on their websites, and they’re usually understaffed with a very busy editor who tries to avoid being inundated with letter queries.

Look up their phone number and try to contact the editor and discuss your article idea, or submit a query letter via email.

Many times it’s not even necessary to send a query letter, just a simple letter of introduction may be all you need to do.

When writing a letter of introduction, be sure to include your experience or knowledge of that particular industry, why you would be an ideal freelance writer for their magazine and write it with confidence.

The Best Part

Believe it or not, many trade journals pay better than the popular glossy magazines you find in the drugstore or at the checkout in the grocery store.

Take some time to review these hidden gems, get to know a few of these magazines and then submit an idea to each editor with confidence.

And like with any publication, once you prove your talent and professionalism, you’ll be getting calls from the editors, making money and building an impressive portfolio.

Get this step-by-step guide to writing for Trade Publications and a handy checklist, only $4.97. Click the picture or the buy now button: