Here's a tip when you're writing briefs for publicity. Let's get started and talk about briefs. I think they're absolutely terrific, and editors do too. If you want proof of that, just pick up any national magazine from any newsstand that you go past. Flip through those pages and count the number of really short articles that you see in there. I'm talking about things like little 3-inch fillers to short, little quizzes, to even really short articles. And by that I mean articles that are no longer than about 400 words. That's even a bit too long to be called a brief, but many magazines still use those.

Briefs also include resource boxes. Newspaper and magazine editors love using resource boxes to accompany longer stories. Those of you who have books out may find your books or websites eventually in those resource boxes, if you go about it correctly. Offer your briefs for free. Don't be like the typical freelancer who's looking to be paid a freelance fee. You can get some fabulous publicity for your efforts if you give it away. That's the best way to get published. I know some freelancers who think that goes against their grain, and that's fine because that's how they make a living. But to those of you who, for example, are trying to sell books, that's difficult. If you can give away the information, you'll be more attractive to editors. For more tips and great ideas on writing briefs, read Briefs, Fillers and Quizzes: How To Write Them and Why Editors LOVE Them