Get Published (Part 2): Discussing Writing Terms With The Site

Last time, we talked about identifying your niche and the right site for you to write for. The process involves checking out the guest-posting guidelines, and understanding what the site needs, and what their readers are looking for. This second part on our how to get published series will touch on what you can do before you pitch an idea to the site you want to write for. Yes, expect to have to do a lot of work, but understand that it's necessary if you don't want to end up pitching titles that won't be accepted anyway. The earlier you recognize how your writing fits (or not) with a publication, the better. Let's take a look at how you can make a stand out pitch and some of the details to look into when dealing with the site you are hoping to pen articles for. Read also: Get Published (Part 1): Finding The Right Site

Craft a Standout Pitch

Want to pitch a title? Here are a few tips:

1. Give (Sincere) Compliments In Your Intro

Compliments show the editor that you genuinely gave a thought about their publication, not just their ability to give you a byline. If you've been following them for a while, this should be easy. For example, you can say "I'm John Smith, a blogger with a passion for history. I read your article last month about the Jamestown mysteries, and I must say, I was impressed enough with it to visit the place for myself." Remember: Be sincere. Insincerity will backfire on you.

2. Be Original With Your Idea

Your pitch may be good, but if there's already a similar article previously published on the [...]