I’ve been wondering if my query strategy working. Mainly because at my current rate of queries sent out it looks like I won’t go through my entire list of possible agents for a couple of years.
Low and slow does have some advantages. But if I never get the thing completed, that is not an advantage. That is procrastination under another name.
One advantage I can think of, which emerges from the low and slow process is I have had the ability to fine tune my query letter. My initial query letter carried a very professional tone. A professional letter is not a bad thing to have, but I don’t think it’s the strongest way to attract an agent’s attention.
So that led me into query letter number two. This query letter highlighted some of the aspects of my work, which are in common with other current works. While this might have been an improvement over the straightly professional letter, it didn’t seem to be working any better.
And so I have had the time to tweak my query letter repeatedly. I think I am finally narrowing My query letter to a good combination of aspects that will attract an agent’s attention and professionalism. I have managed to find a high concept hook, which I hope will interest more agents and convince them to read my pages.
The ability to tweak my query letter, to experiment with various tones and emphasis is something the low and slow method of querying has allowed me to do. If I had started in a rush, attempting to query all of the agents I am interested in at the same time, I would not have had the ability to tweak a query letter that was good, but perhaps wasn’t best.
Another advantage
This snail’s pace has been my ability to research agents, their interests, their sales, and their current lists. And yes, I do consider it an advantage. I have witnessed too many agents speaking about the shotgun approach to querying that they often see in their inboxes. Using time to research and to see if an agent is a good fit for my work, I am increasing my chance that my query when it reaches them will actually result in interest.
Well, if nothing else, it sounds like a good justification. What I find going through my head at this moment is a desire to just be done with the process. I don’t even think it is the number of rejections I’m getting that has me currently discouraged. I think what has me down at the moment is the seemingly never ending aspect of querying.
So all of that boils down to my question for today. How do you approach querying?