5 Tips to Get Published on the Largest Websites in the World
There is an audio version below.
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As a writer, podcaster, or YouTuber, you can get your content featured on some of the world’s largest websites. You can get exposure to millions of loyal readers who would be curious to see what else you’re up to. There’s no better way to build an audience and business in the online space today.
You’ve probably heard me talk about same audience syndrome—this is common today. Large publications offer you a chance to get massive exposure to an untapped and always changing audience. You can leverage that exposure to build and land bigger opportunities. Here are five tips to get accepted as a contributor.
1. Stop listening to self-limiting beliefs.
Whenever I talk about this stuff, I hear a lot of the same responses. People feel as if they’re not a writer, or that they’re not a good enough writer. There is also a fear that can come from putting yourself and your words out there in front of millions of people.
If you are going to write an article that gets accepted, you have to get over those fears and self-limiting beliefs. They WILL show up in your writing if you don’t. One of my rock star coaching clients is Anya Hollis. This week, she had her first article published on The Good Men Project and caught a lot of flak for speaking her truth. She didn’t let it stop her from writing. Today, she became a contributing writer for The Huffington Post! She wasn’t published anywhere before sending in these two articles. If you’re wondering if you can write for the largest websites in the world despite your experience, the answer is YES.
2. Research each publication individually.
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to write an article and then see where you can send it. The articles that get accepted are written specifically for that publication. As an editor, I can tell whether or not an article was written for our publication. Start with researching what that site publishes.
Study the style, the length of the posts, the point of view the posts are written in (first or third person), and what topics their readers respond best to. Take each publication one at a time and get a deep understanding of what they publish every day. Your research is what will help you write the best kind of article and one that an editor will say YES to.
3. Write from the heart.
As a Lead Editor for The Good Men Project, I see too many articles that feel like the writer is preaching at people—those articles DON’T do well. Even if you’re writing something a little more technical, it should have some heart in it. You have the first two paragraphs to make an emotional connection with the reader on a publication. If you don’t, they won’t read any more of the post. This is the reason “listicle” posts do so well on publications.
You should ask yourself two questions as you’re writing; “What am I trying to say? And, “Am I saying it clearly enough?” Each article should focus on ONE thought or idea. When you try to bring in too many topics into an article, you will confuse and then lose the reader. Dig deeper and write about what you fear the most. Here are several articles that I was super afraid to write and publish, but that had a strong connection with the reader:
How To Rebuild Trust After An Affair
The One Decision Every Man Must Make to Live a Happy Life
An Addiction That Ruined Our Sex Life and Almost Ended Our Marriage
4. Stop looking for a connection to get in.
Every day I receive several cold pitch emails that ask me to make an introduction to my editor at a certain publication. I have NEVER made an introduction. If I did, it would not be for someone I don’t know. You probably could find a connection eventually, but why would you want to waste valuable time chasing when you can get in without one?
Cold pitches to contributors who write for publications rarely work. A connection would be easier, but the chances aren’t very high. Instead of looking for connections, use that time to research a publication and write a better article. You can do this on your own.
5. Pitch better than most.
A lot of pitch emails are bad. They focus on themselves instead of what’s in it for the editor or publication. Editors don’t care who you are or what you’ve done. They have one job: publish great content. If your article isn’t researched and written for that publication, your social proof will be meaningless.
A good pitch starts with a well-written and researched article. The email is short and to the point. Begin with a subject line that’s specific to that editor. Google them and find something they’ve shared or written. Pull a nugget as your subject line. If you were pitching me, you could say something like, “Taylor Swift knows how to write music.” That’s specific to me, and it would catch my attention.
The first paragraph should expand upon that specific nugget. Again, for me, it would look like:
“Hello Kimanzi,
I enjoyed seeing the pictures you posted when you attended Taylor Swift’s concert. I know you a HUGE fan, so that must have been exciting. I’m a big fan of your site and would love to submit an article for consideration.“
You have shown me with the subject and first paragraph that you took the time to research—editors like to see that. Next, share some writing samples. It’s best if they are from somewhere other than your blog. If that’s all you’ve got, roll with it. After the writing samples, a thank you, and put the article IN THE BODY of the email. Never send attachments to editors because they will NOT open them. If you have done your research, the article will speak for itself.
If you read my stuff, you know my story. I started writing for The Huffington Post and Entrepreneur Magazine a year and a half ago. Since then, my business has exploded. Conferences have found me, new clients have hired me, and I have sold thousands of books.
What I did is not unusual and can be repeated. This is a strategy you can use to build a profitable lifestyle business if you use it right. It’s NOT about who you know or what experience you have. It’s all about the article you write and how you submit. There’s nothing stopping you; use this strategy.
Audio version:
Do you plan on pitching any publications this year?
