When you suggest going out to “meet editors,” exactly how does one go about that? Should it be an editor I’ve already worked with once? Do I invite them out for coffee to present some ideas I have? I absolutely stink at selling myself in person, so I guess what I’m asking is, can you expand on what you do when you meet an editor in person.

This is a very good question, and now I’m wondering why I didn’t think of answering it sooner. The way I approach my meetings with editors has changed a bit over the past few years as I’ve gotten more confident about presenting myself and my ideas, and also now that with experience, I feel I bring more to the table. Earlier, it felt more like an interview, whereas now, I try to make it a conversation, and do try and see if the publication fits in with my long-term plans as well.

It took me a while to get comfortable with the idea, but you’re feeling out the editor as much as the editor is feeling you out. Know that when you walk in for a meeting. You’re as much in charge as they are, and that you are there not to sell yourself, but to meet this person and see if working together would be mutually beneficial. Is this a publication and editor whose vision you share?

When you do meet an editor, whether for coffee or in her office, I think it’s best to leave the marketing out of it. Have a list of potential ideas ready if she wants to discuss them, but I find it’s much better to talk about other things– her life, your life, how she got into the magazine, how you decided to become a freelancer, etc. This is especially true if this is an editor you’ve already worked with, but even if you haven’t, look at this as a great opportunity to get to know him or her better as a person. What makes her tick? What are the areas that interest him most? Do they use a lot of freelance material? What kind of stories would they like you to keep in mind? What kind of frequency of submissions works best for them?

With e-mail, it’s so easy to pitch a story idea, and you’re doing that anyhow. When you’re meeting an editor in a setting where you’re not required to get a yay or nay on pitches, relax a little bit, and try to talk to the editor about how you can each get the best out of the relationship.

Whether to meet for coffee or go to their office doesn’t much make a difference, in my opinion. I’ve done both, and I typically leave the choice up to the editor. That said, if I’m meeting an editor for the first time, I prefer to meet in their office, but like I said, if the editor prefers to meet outside of work, I’m not going to say no!

Finally, the hardest part of it all– the actual asking the editor for a meeting. If you’re an out-of-towner, this is easy. Next time you think you’re going to be in the editor’s city, shoot her an e-mail and let her know that you’ll be around for a couple of days and would love to get to know her– put a face to a name, blah blah. I’ve done this and it works like a charm; I usually get asked to come by the very next day. Call ahead if it’s an editor you’re in touch with frequently.

For a new-to-you editor who works in the same city? I’ve sent pitches or letters of introductions in the past, and in them included a line of the “I’d love to come by your office and discuss how we may work together” sort, and if they’re so inclined, they take me up on the offer.

In my experience, it’s much more beneficial to meet up with editors who you’ve either worked with in the past, or who’ve shown interest in having you contribute to their publication because they’re equally invested in the relationship. The face-to-face meeting simply opens up a new channel of communication and allows both of you to see where in each other’s work, you’d be the best fit.

I’m also opening up the floor to readers. How do you fix meetings with editors? What’s the best way to approach such a meeting?