Writing For Two Different Types Of Media

Some writers make their whole living by composing for online markets. I utilized to earn most of my earnings from e-zines, and now divide my time about evenly in between print and online markets. If you’re a fan of instant gratification, on the internet writing might be for you, as well. While print magazines often have lead times of a quantity of months, most internet websites will post your work inside a few weeks (or even days) of submission.

However, that also means that deadlines are tighter. You’ll likely have less time to research and write pieces for the web.

Stylistically, about the internet composing tends to be shorter, snappier, and more irreverent than print counterparts. You must be very concise, since most internet surfers click faster than they turn pages they skim, rather than read. The glare of the computer screen is less friendly to the eyes than the pages of the magazine or book. Your writing must hook them within the first sentence, and if your article drags, your audience will probably stop reading.

Another perk of online writing may be the response it generates. According to Steve Outing, columnist for Editor & Publisher, “You’ll have more interaction with your audience much more email letters; you might participate in about the internet discussion forums after publication, or in live chat sessions with your users.

Your users will give you great feedback (more than print readers), and they’ll give you lots of tips about what to write about and what they want to know about.”

If you’re looking for good pay, you should pay attention to corporate web websites (especially if they produce e-newsletters, auto-responders, or news updates) and big e-zines. In general, the much more traffic a internet site gets, the more you can expect it to pay for writers. Advertisers pay according to traffic, so a site that gets plenty of it ought to be earning a lot a lot more than low-traffic websites. Sites sponsored by well-known companies also tend to pay well.

Be aware, though, that some major magazine editors scoff at clips that have been published online. No matter how well you’ve been paid for it, that article you wrote for SomeBigWebsite.com is most likely not going to impress editors at GQ. So, online markets can help you build up a readership, learn the editorial process, and make some cash, but they’re not the best rsum boosters.

They’re about on par with small newspapers in many editors’ minds. Very few web sites such as Salon.com, Wired, Slate, and Office.com are even worth mentioning in your bio. Think of it this way: If the editor is unlikely to have ever heard of the web site you’re referencing, she’ll assume it’s not a decent publication with high editorial standards like hers.

Interested in writing articles for editors? Then visit Kyle’s article directory and use it for your needs.