To become a newspaper columnist, specialize in one or two areas of writing and obtain a degree in journalism, communications, or English. Starting an online newspaper can be a good option, but reputable published clips or text samples are necessary. Study the target audience and style of the publications you hope to write for, and be prepared with column ideas and questions for the editor during the interview process.
If you want to become a newspaper columnist, first develop one or two areas of writing. Even a great deal of writing experience probably won’t get you hired as a newspaper columnist unless you’ve written extensively in one or two areas. A degree in journalism, communications or English is likely to be required if you want to become a columnist for any type of newspaper, unless you are strictly going to run your own publication.
You won’t need a degree if you start your own Internet newspaper. However, while it’s nice to start your own newspaper, if you have the skills and time to create a quality publication, if you want to be hired as a full-time columnist by someone else, chances are you’ll need a degree. If you want to become a newspaper columnist and don’t already have a journalism, communications or English degree, earning one on the Internet while starting your own online newspaper could work well. If you choose an online educational program, make sure it is properly accredited and accepted by newspaper employers. Most employers in all industries can appreciate a good online education, and it can be a convenient way to hold a job or other activity while earning your degree.
Whether or not you decide to start your own online newspaper, search the Internet for other quality publications and talk to them about writing a guest-writer piece or two. Make sure you have your name or signature on the piece so you can link to it to get a quality clip for potential employers. Typically, online guest writing venues don’t pay much, if anything; therefore, you should only do this if the post will impress potential employers favorably and provide a place to showcase your skills. If your area of expertise is politics or gardening, if you want to become a newspaper columnist, you will need reputable published clips or text samples.
Study the papers you hope to write for now or in the future. This includes reading advertisements and editorials to get a good sense of who the target audience is for each particular article. While your writing should really interest the target audience and fit the overall style of the newspaper, the column you propose to add to the publication should reflect your personality. In other words, you want to bring something different to the newspaper than what already exists, while maintaining the attention and satisfaction of current readers. Finding the right balance is not easy if you want to become a newspaper columnist, but it is essential and can be accomplished through careful study of the publications that interest you.
When you’re ready to apply for a newspaper columnist job, be ready to come up with ideas for your columns. Prepare several name ideas for your column, as well as questions for the editor interviewing you. Newspaper columnists are not expected to be educated and experienced in their subject, but also to be people of ideas who meet editorial guidelines. If you have a daily or weekly newspaper column, you will need constant new takes on your topic; the hiring editor will need to see evidence of this quality in you during the interview process. In the end, you’ll have to convince the editor why you’re the best person for the job if you want to become a newspaper columnist.
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