17d • SUCCESS_Stories
QUERY LETTERS: A Great How-To Guide
A Simple Query Letter Framework That’s Worked for Me for Years (and Just Worked Again)
I want to share a query-letter structure I learned years ago in a professional writing course — one I’ve used over and over, and one that just helped me land an editorial acceptance with a travel magazine.
It also works for job inquiries with some tweaking here and there.
I call it:
HEY – YOU – SEE – SAY
It’s simple, memorable, and it works especially well for blind queries (when you don’t have a direct contact).
1) HEY — Capture Attention
This is your opening.
Its only job is to make them want to keep reading.
It can be:
- A compelling line from your piece
- A bold, honest statement
- A sentence that immediately signals voice or theme
Example:
“Adventure has been my favorite word since childhood — and I’m finally living it at 62.”
This isn’t about overly impressing. It’s about engaging, getting interest on what you can (and know you can).
2) YOU — Who You Are
Now you ground it.
This is where you say:
- Who you are
- What you do
- Why you’re reaching out
Example:
“My name is Angela Theresa Egic, a writer and photographer, and I was recently accepted by Travel Inspiration Magazine for a NYC travel feature.”
Short. Clear. Human.
3) SEE — Why You’re the Right Person
This is where you connect you to this project.
You’re answering the unspoken question:
“Why should this come from you?”
Example:
- You’ve lived the experience
- You bring a specific lens
- You’re reliable, fast, professional
- You can write regularly if needed
This is where credibility lives — without bragging.
4️⃣ SAY — Close Simply
This part should always be short.
One or two lines. That’s it.
Example:
“I’d love to explore this further and am happy to share samples or details. I look forward to hearing from you.”
Done.
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QUERY LETTERS: A Great How-To Guide
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