Yaneek Page | Want a gig as a writer? Take a strategic approach

QUESTION: I have interest in writing articles for publication, based on my research skills and business strategy. I would love if you could direct me.

– Raj

BUSINESSWISE: The best way for me to answer your question is to offer a potential list of next steps to consider so as to make your goal of writing for publication a reality.

Take these prospective steps:

1. Determine a target audience

You need to be clear on exactly who you are serving with your writing. Your target audience typically shares some similar traits, characteristics and/or demographics, which is why you would have grouped them as a segment to receive your particular content. For example, you could define your focus as young women (15-24), young men (15-24), children, women (26-60), technology enthusiasts, or human resource professionals, to name just a few.

It would be also good to have data about your target audience, including the estimated size of that group, stage in the life cycle, interests, needs, goals and/or challenges. The more you know about your target market, the better you can understand and then serve them. Ultimately, writing articles that count is not about serving the author, but faithfully serving the audience with your skills and professional integrity.

2. Detail the type of content you will produce and how that content adds value to the target audience

The next step is to create a list of as many article ideas and even titles of articles that you can begin writing which you believe will add value to your target audience. Content that resonates and even grows with your target audience(s) are likely to add the most value and augur well in building a dedicated following.

3. Identify publications that currently appeal to your target audience or publications that may likely be interested in that target audience

Start compiling a list of potential publications you may reach out to for publishing your work. This is also where you will put your research skills to use as you learn as much as possible about the history of the publication, and how it has evolved over the period of operation, and in particular what the focus will likely be through this pandemic and beyond. Note that publications are a business, they typically thrive on revenue which is generated through advertisements, subscriptions and sponsorships.

4. Start writing content and self-publish

Once you’re focused on a clear target market and you have particular ideas that you have documented it’s time to start writing. You can start by writing and publishing on your social media platforms.

If the publications you wish to write for allow for reader views, then submit your content as letters for publication or other means provided. The key is for you to build a body of work and an audience. It’s also a good way to test the engagement and whether your topics and style resonate with the intended audience. The feedback you may get, if constructive, should inform future topics.

5. Validate and strengthen your writing skills

It’s not enough that you want to write; you need to be good at it. Writing isn’t just a skill, it’s also an art and not everyone will be good at it. Validation of your skills is essential. Therefore, it’s important for you to have independent people evaluate your writing, possibly an editor or an experienced writer.

Ask someone who is experienced and qualified as a writer to look over your pieces and give honest and even harsh feedback. It may be the best opportunity to learn and grow. Continue to practise and develop your skills, and where possible find mentors or do courses that may continue to build your capacity.

6. Pitch to publications or apply for writing opportunities

Pitching is also an art. You must come prepared with your knowledge, skills and tools. The knowledge includes an understanding of the values of the publication, ethical writing, the demands of writing, the work that goes into research and qualifying sources, and the need for consistency, to name a few.

The tools would include the outputs of the previous steps outlined. Samples of your writing, the feedback to your articles, clearly articulated target market, how your writing adds value to that audience and their publication.

You also need to indicate what makes you unique; what makes you qualified to write and to occupy the space that you are pitching to occupy. You need to pitch yourself and your integrity because by publishing your work as a contributor, the publication is taking on the risk of aligning themselves with your reputation.

Additionally, you need to make it clear whether you are looking for a paid contributor position or an unpaid contributor position, the frequency with which you’re able to submit articles and then to understand how you may need to tweak your writing to best meet the needs of both the publication and the audience.

One demand that editors make, which you may need to address upfront, is that your writing is not going to be self-serving. Too often writers pitch to publications with the interest of promoting themselves and their business or a self-serving agenda. Editors will spot this a mile way and their response will likely be: ‘Perhaps you may want to consider buying ads in our publication’.

Good luck!

- Yaneek Page is the programme lead for Market Entry USA, a certified trainer in entrepreneurship, and creator and executive producer of ‘The Innovators’ and ‘Let’s Make Peace’ TV series. yaneek.page@gmail.com