Do I have what it takes to become a fashion columnist?

You’ve been thinking to become a fashion columnist. It sounds more than cool, it is fascinating, but you might be thinking that you don’t have what it takes to become one. Creative writing may be a born talent, while technical writing is a learned skill. To be a good fashion columnist, having both skills would be to your advantage, but by far the most important aspect is creativity.

I’m a freelance writer, but I’d like to become a permanent columnist in a fashion magazine. How do I approach it? I don’t know any editors in fashion magazines.

This is a question that editors and publishers hear a lot. Most freelance writers prefer the steady income of a guaranteed monthly column. It is one of the best jobs that any freelancer can land.

The good news is that there are new columns opening up everyday and all one needs to do is be persistent in their pursuit to attain one of them. The best way to approach any column possibility is make sure that you know a lot about the subject matter and be prepared to prove it. Quite often, columns are filled by an editor who actively seeks out someone who they think has the talent, skill and knowledge to pull it off.

This is a good reason enough to write as much as you can, stay in touch with magazines on a weekly basis and have an updated blog to showcase your talents. Keeping up on your education and training is also important, as it goes without saying.

If you think that you don’t know anybody in the field, think again. You will really not need to know any editors of fashion magazines to get into this industry as most every one of them has an e-mail address and you can let your previous work speak for you. You do not even need to concern yourself if you do not have any published examples of fashion articles.

Be prepared, however, to write an example piece to show the editor, or better yet, have one already written to send along with your queries to give the editors an idea for your talent and specialty area. When you are keeping in touch with contacts that could get you a column, the squeaky wheel always gets the grease. But also keep in mind that an overly loud and screeching wheel will just get thrown out. Keep in touch, but never be annoying.

I have written a few fashion articles and want to become a syndicated columnist. How can I start it?

Welcome aboard those of us who have the passion and drive to write about fashion on an ongoing basis. There really is no better pleasure than writing about a true passion every week or month and have an attentive fan base to listen to our jive. And even better than this, is to have an even larger fan base all over the world, who gathers before our very words to read what advice and stories we have uncovered for the newest edition.

Many syndicated columnists are simply sought, which is why it is always important to have as much of your work out to the public as you can. If the right person happens to see it that could be the very break you have been waiting for.

However, if waiting were the only thing to do, that would not only be boring, but would not leave any room for the chase. Many syndicated columnists had to prove themselves and get noticed through countless phone calls, interviews and e-mails.

Sometimes an agent can be brought into the picture if you do not have enough time to devote to this purpose as you would like. This will all be explained in Section Five. But making it to the top would never be as sweet if it were easy, so as long as you are determined to get that syndicated column and you have its vision planted clearly in your mind, there is no reason you won’t achieve that.

Read more about becoming a fashion columnist and get syndicated here.