5 tips for getting your byline accepted at a publication

From boosting your profile with new audiences to helping your website’s SEO, there are a ton of benefits to this tactic. But there are some pitfalls many people and organizations fall into when trying to get these authored articles placed.

Here are a few ways to help your story stand out in an editor’s inbox for the right reasons.

Ask for guidelines

If a site doesn’t have readily available submission guidelines, don’t be afraid to email and ask before you start writing. Some sites may have word minimums and maximums; some will want you to write in a certain style. Firing off a quick email before you start writing can save a lot of wasted time down the road.

Say something original

When you’re brainstorming an idea for a post, don’t always go with your first idea.

Why?

It’s almost certainly everyone else’s first idea too.

That means not only are you facing stiffer odds on a competitive Google search, you’re also more likely to make the editor you’re pitching yawn. Chances are good they’ve read five variations of the same obvious story in the last week.