Are you looking to write newspaper articles and would like to know if they pay the bills? This is a common question among writers who are in the business for the long haul.
The answer depends on your experience, education and the publication you’re working for. The best way to find out is by contacting the editors of local newspapers and magazines in your area.
There are a number of websites that list the current freelance writing pay rates. These include Writer’s Market, which has thousands of magazine, newspaper, e-zine, and blog publishers who pay freelancers to write.
You can also try to get your name on the radar by submitting articles to popular online article directories and submission databases. These sites are free to join and can be quite effective in finding you the right type of article opportunities.
The Best Places to Submit an Article
It’s a good idea to start out by pitching articles to your university’s student newspaper and/or magazine. You’ll also want to build up a portfolio by contributing to your local community newspaper, writing for your school or club newsletter, and posting short stories on your own website.
Most newspapers and magazines have a submissions page on their websites where you can submit your articles for publication. You can do this by filling out a submission form or you can email, call, or write them a letter.
The Biggest Mistake Made When Trying to Submit an Article
One of the biggest mistakes that writers make when attempting to submit their work to newspapers is making the wrong kind of a submission. This can be a costly mistake, because the editor may not even read it.
There are many types of content you can submit to newspapers and magazines, including news items, features, columns, and even photographs. Putting your article on the local newspaper’s news wire is a clever move that can bring in higher fees, but it will only be worth your while if the story you’re writing gets picked up by a significant amount of outlets.
