How can I get my own newspaper column?

To get your own newspaper column, you have to be ready to start small - with a small newspaper or periodical, small (or no) pay and small returns for your hard work. The end result could be worth that effort.

Tutorial

Writing a newspaper column is sort of like driving a truck – no one will give you a truck to drive unless you have a couple of years experience - but how do you get experience unless someone hires you to drive? The good news for the person trying to break into newspaper column writing is that there are some ways you can break into the business.

Working for Peanuts

One of the most important things to remember is that you are initially looking for the opportunity to gain experience in producing your newspaper column. That means that you may very well write for a fraction of the pay you hope to eventually work up to, or that you may work for free while you get your first columns published.

Start Small

Start small. Begin your career by contacting some smaller newspapers or periodicals with your proposal. Explain your area of expertise, reasons that you feel you’ll make a good columnist and offer to write at least one or two as a free trial. If you have trouble making that sale, you might even offer to write for free on an unlimited basis. If you gather a base of loyal readers, you’ll prove to the newspaper that you’re worth paying.

Start on the Web

Another great way to get some sample columns “published” is to post them on a website. If you have Internet access, you likely have space set aside by your Internet service provider for a website and setting it up isn’t a huge undertaking. With that done, you can offer samples of your columns to newspapers and direct them to view more of your work online. This website is a great place to start - your username gets a byline and you can write on any topic!

Finally, don’t hold back your best work when submitting samples. It might be tempting to keep a particular article because you feel confident that you can eventually sell it, but that great article that you have to “give away” as a sample of your writing might be just the article that finally gets the attention of the right editor and puts your name on the header of your very own newspaper column.