How to write articles and news for your local newspaper - Four Things Freelancers Must Know

Know how to write an article is one thing. How to benefit financially from this knowledge is another.

For publishers, a freelance journalist can be an irritant and a savior all at once. They can be annoying when several times to bring new stories to tell, sometimes occupied deadline, but can also save a desktop news may be short-staffed at any particular day.

The key to freelance journalism is to keep plugging away with quality work so that the editor will always be time for you.

To get a foot in the door of your local newspaper, a professional should know four things: the news, editors, newsmakers and follow-up.

Spend some 'time thinking about these four aspects as important and you can write your articles before you even begin to present the work to any publication.

1. Knowing the news - though it may seem obvious, but it is surprising the number of freelancers who have no knowledge of local issues, but I believe the quality of their writing gives them the first right column space prize. No matter how well you write, if your article is irrelevant to the agenda of the publication, has little chance to get used to. Take time to read the newspaper. Go through the problems and gain an understanding of its editorial and concern is not what you think is important.

2. The publishers - these people are the custodians of your items and may drop your stories to a whim. You should know, their names, positions in the company's behavior and how they feel about certain issues, which can give you an idea of ​​how to tilt your articles for a better chance of getting published.

3. The Newsmakers - it is essential that you know and who is not newsworthy. Go through the papers in your area and to identify people who are the ones that are listed and the issues that are often searched for. Once you know who go through the phone book and get their phone numbers. Your ultimate goal is to know these people voice-to-voice, a professional face to face, and even personal level.

4. The follow-up - this is probably the most important knowledge that you can have, because this is what you make as a journalist. And, significantly, this is not something you can read about, but that's what you build on your head. If a problem arises, arm yourself with the knowledge required for the first three points and then work on a possible follow-up story. Remember, in-house journalists will probably be doing the same thing, then you should try to think of a different angle. This prevents you from stepping on the toes and also increase your position in the eyes of the editors.

Once you have all this in your head, call or e-mail the editor and tell him or her your story idea. If it's topical, fresh and relevant to the paper had in its latest edition, and takes the story further, there is a good chance that you will use.

If so, you have your foot in the door. This applies not only to the newspapers. There are magazines and news organizations online that can also be targeted. Follow these four rules and begin his career as a freelance journalist ....