- When I began my career, I was certain
that authors and editors would see one of my projects,
and race to publish it.
That didn't happen.
I learned, that being a quiet and polite wallflower,
waiting to be discovered, got me nowhere fast.
In order to be published and expand your brand presence,
you need to do the contacting,
and the best way to do that, is to do your research,
and boldly contact them, albeit nicely.
Terry Stone, the author of many books and articles,
and Patrick Coyne, the editor and designer of
Communication Arts Magazine, both gave me some great tips,
from the editor and author side.
First, pitch editors ideas, not just your work.
You can contact magazine editors directly,
and send them self promotion items,
and you can pitch them story ideas.
What's something that interests you in the profession?
Are there trends you see?
It's unlikely that they will want to do a story
on you alone, but it could happen.
It's more likely, they will want to write about
a trend or aspect of practice you suggest,
and use your work as an example of that.
Second, pitch writers.
Read the work of bloggers, columnists,
and journalists in graphic design.
Know their work, and what they like to write about.
Then pitch them stories and projects
that fall within their interests.
They will then pitch an editor, with your story ideas.
Third, pitch book acquisition editors and authors.
Although the book industry's far less robust
than it was in the past, there are still book being created.
You can go online, and look at
publisher submission guidelines,
and instructions if you want to pitch a whole book.
That submission will end up in the lap,
of an acquisition editor, in charge of creating books.
Also, contact authors you respect, with project samples,
even writings, and tell them you'd like
to be included in their next book.
I'm including an example of a book submission,
in the project files here.
Fourth, pitch content managers and authors.
Instruction videos, like the one you're watching right now,
need visual content.
Make your favorite video authors,
and their editors aware of your work,
and how it connects with theirs.
In this course, I included examples from several designers
who made me aware of their work.
These will be seen by a large audience.
Fifth, enter competitions.
No need to be promiscuous here.
Choose only the contests with good exposure.
Chosen work in these are usually featured nicely.
Editors and writers take notice of competitions,
as a source material, and finally, do your own thing.
Start your own blog, publish your own zine,
make and sell your own e-book.
Then pitch these to authors and editors,
you can let them excerpt your own work,
in their publications, or pitch them
on writing about your own project.
You get double exposure.