Thick and thin

Those of you who have been pitching regularly and talking to editors have probably noticed a drop-off in demand for new stories from Latin Trade. Partly, that's been planned and, partly, it's natural for this time of the year.

Let me explain.

As we head into our new budget, we have voluntarily shaved (slightly) the freelance budget. Not by a lot, but enough to put on a bit of a squeeze -- that means more in-house writing, although also more travel budget for the editors to get out into the region.

At the same time, however, we are expanding supplements on travel and wealth management, which is adding titles, thus adding copy demand, which will add to freelance needs.

Plus, we are simply in the thin part of the year. Our magazines tend to run thinner November through March, then they begin to expand with our advertisers' budgets April through October. If you look at the July issue, it's obviously much heavier than our January issue. It has always been this way, but if you add thinner budgets inside to thinner magazines, voilá, suddenly less demand for copy. For now.

If you want to get your stories into the magazine in the coming months, my advice is to pitch technology (Connection), logistics (Trade Lanes) and travel (Destinos) for Latin Trade -- see our guide to sections and what works for more detail -- to your respective editor and to inquire about our Destinos travel title and Élite personal net worth title, both of which will need energy and good ideas to succeed.