How difficult is it to get a journalist job in a big name paper or magazine?

Hi Emily!

Here it is some tips:

Step 1: Become an Expert

Whatever your niche, be sure that you are the go-to person for that topic. If you’re a doctor, lawyer, accountant, car or insurance salesperson, make yourself the authority in your area.

Step 2: Identify Publications that Suit Your Expertise

These days, newspapers are looking for way to slash costs any way they can. One thing they do is populate their hyper local sections with articles published by locals and about locals. Also, alternative weekly newspapers and local magazines always need a steady flow of new content.

Step 3: Track Down the Right Contact Person

If you are pitching your article to the wrong editor, chances are she will not return your calls or emails and she won’t let you know who you should be contacting. It has nothing to do with manners, but rather, time. As stated in Step 2, editors need to provide new content on a daily basis. There’s just no time to return every call.

Instead, do your homework. Newspapers and magazines have a masthead, usually found at the front of the publication, listing the editor in charge of each section. If your expertise is in health, you want to pitch the health editor. If you want to write about restaurants or pop culture, contact the entertainment editor.

Some publications list the section editor directly on the page that content is published. Again, editors need new articles published all the time. They want you to contact them with great story ideas!

Step 4: Persistence

There is a very fine line between persistence and being overbearing. It’s hard to know ahead of time whether the editor you’re contacting is a phone person or an email person. For your initial contact, it’s best to take both approaches. Draft a very professional email explaining what you want to write. Be sure it contains a paragraph describing who you are and why you are qualified to write the article. Outline your story in the second paragraph and in the third paragraph, let the editor know how to reach you and give him a day and time you will place a follow-up call to discuss your idea in depth. Your cover letter should be short, concise and to the point.

When you call the editor, remind her of the day you sent the email, who you are and what your idea is. Chances are you will only get a voicemail message. But regardless of whether you get a real person or voicemail, be sure to keep your message brief and to the point. Leave your contact number in a clear voice and repeat it one time. By identifying the date you sent your pitch by email, it will be easier for the editor to find it. It wouldn’t hurt to also leave your email address since some editors prefer corresponding this way.

http://www.inthenewsonline.com/blog/bid/89561/How-to-get-articles-published-in-newspapers-or-magazine-publications

I hope this information can help you!

Good luck!