I received disappointing news a few weeks ago. One of my favorite editors that I’ve worked with the past three years left his company. In his email, he complimented my work and introduced me to his colleagues who would be taking over his accounts.  

Still, the news stung. I’m now dealing with the shaky aftermath. It’s never easy to get used to working with a new face and a new name. It’s like learning to slow dance with a different dance partner. I have to figure out how to dance without accidentally stepping on the other person’s toes.  

There’s also no guarantee that the new editors will want to work with me. Who knows if they have other writers that they prefer to work with? That, of course, is out of my control. I can only control how I develop my relationship with them.   

Where to begin that relationship-building process? It’s never easy, but it has to be done, even if there’s no guarantee anything will come about. I have a head start with the introductions my previous editor made on my behalf. Now it’s up to me to follow through.

This isn’t the first time I’ve had to build a relationship with an editor that replaced one I had been working with. The first time resulted in the connection I had with Scott, the beloved editor who recently left his company. So there is a history of success.

Here are my tips for developing relationships with a new editor, whether you’re new to the publication or they’re replacing a previous editor. Mind you, these connections are still a work in progress. I’m still trying to navigate the relationship landscape with three new editors.

1. Send each editor a note introducing yourself. Keep the note brief. If someone referred you, reference that person in your note. Tell them how much you look forward to working with them. Offer to provide your writing services (or whatever services you offer). Remind them what you can do for them. It might be helpful to share your professional experience, such as the industries and previous companies. Conclude the note with your contact information and some wish for a long-term mutually beneficial relationship.

2. Show your professionalism at all times. If you get an assignment from them, thank them for keeping you in mind for the project. Review the writing worksheet to understand what they are asking of you, and don’t hesitate to ask questions if you’re confused about anything. No, you will not appear stupid. It will show them that you are conscientious and are willing to work with them. Bulldozing your way through an assignment when you’re unclear about what’s expected is asking for trouble. Most important, show that you’re reliable by meeting your deadlines and communicating with the editor if you can’t reach a source or can’t submit the story on time. I have found that if I am running behind schedule because of difficulty reaching a source, editors are usually pretty open about extending deadlines – as long as you communicate the delay. Keeping the lines of communication open will ensure a happy client.

3. Hold off on submitting story ideas. Even if you’ve been writing for a publication for several years and you’re used to pitching story ideas, hold off on doing that until you and the new editor become more comfortable with one another. Give them time to get used to the way you write. Allow them time to get used to their new role. Remember, the ball is in their court. In the meantime, you can stockpile story ideas until the time is right to present them.

4. Mind your Ps and Qs. Focus on work quality. Proofread your story several times to make sure there aren’t any grammatical or spelling errors. Make sure the article you write covers all the points described in the writing worksheet. I would also avoid using artificial intelligence to help with writing your story—unless the editor specifically tells you that you can. I have never used AI for my features because the editors I work with provide the sources I need to interview. The article content comes from these sources, and cannot be replicated by AI. However, AI can be used for brainstorming ideas or doing repetitive work. If in doubt, always ask the editor.

5. Always stay in touch. If you don’t hear from the editor in a while, say several weeks or months, follow up. It may be that they’ve been too busy to reach out to you, or they didn’t need your writing services. Here’s a great tip from freelancer Kat Boogaard who shared this on LinkedIn: When you plan your schedule for the following month, reach out to editors you frequently work with and inquire about any upcoming assignments. Tell them that you’re in the process of planning your schedule and if they have any assignments, they can book them now so you’ll be prepared to jump on the project when it’s ready. It’s a great new approach for staying in touch.

Editors come and go. That’s par for the industry. At some point, an editor will depart, leaving you to establish bonds with the next editor. Don’t let that prospect throw you. While there are no guarantees, clear, consistent communication and producing quality work will get your working relationship off to a promising start.