Look at this spam e-mail I got in my inbox today and ask yourself if your query letters & other communication with new editors looks anything like it. There are many things wrong with this e-mail. When you read it, you’ll see that the sender didn’t bother to get the editor’s name or even LOOK at the website to see if our subject areas are compatible.

Many new writers make this mistake–they don’t research their target publications to see if their articles, style or tone fits the audience.

Another thing you’ll notice is that there’s a high degree of B.S. here. The writer says he and the site have “years of experience” but fail in the most basic noob pitch tactics. Here’s a hint for you, new writer; if you are new to this game, your query letter will reveal that in some way.

That’s NOT a BAD thing–but don’t try to pass yourself off as an old hand at the writing business. Your style and tone give you away. Instead, just get down to the business of selling your article idea.

Check out this e-mail and compare to your query letters. If you find ANY similarities, my advice to you is to get busy eliminating them and FAST. Every time you send out nonsense that looks like this, you’re screwing yourself out of another paying gig.

“Dear Sir/ Madam,

My name is (deleted). I am the editor of (stupid website name deleted) where we regularly update Hollywood Celebrity Gossip of top celebrities such as Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Beyonce, Zac Efron, etc. We are at Google’s high PR with years of experience in this segment and this Portal is an avenue for me to share my knowledge, experience and fascination with the world.

I am writing to see if you would be interested in setting up reciprocal links. The information and services offered on your site would be of great value to our visitors, and I believe, your visitors would find great value in our Blog Portal, because our sites are complementary & competitive. I see the synergy here as an opportunity for our mutual benefit.

You link to me and I will link back you in my website. This way we can both have quality high PR site pointing to our sites.

My URL:  http://www.stupidwebsitenameDELETED
My Link Text: (semi offensive topic name deleted)

Please forward your preferred link text and URL to me so that I can link back to you immediately.

Looking forward to a positive response from you.

Best Regards

John DingDong