Many aspiring writers and journalists fantasize about having their own column where they can discuss the topics that interest them the most. Following a few pointers can help you achieve your goal of becoming a columnist. First and foremost, columnists must be excellent communicators, so you should take advantage of every opportunity to improve your writing skills. Second, whether or not you get a chance to be a columnist is largely determined whether or not an editor decides to give you a chance. Familiarize yourself with the publication in question, propose an original column topic, and demonstrate that you are an expert in that topic to increase your chances of impressing an editor.
It may seem self-evident, but you must be able to write well if you want to be a columnist. Perhaps more importantly, you must be able to demonstrate to a potential editor that you are a good writer. As a result, you should spend some time honing your writing skills before pitching a column. For example, you could start a blog or contribute articles to your local newspaper. Make sure to save clips of your published writing so you can show them to potential editors as proof of your abilities.
Getting your own published column will largely depend on whether an editor decides to take a chance on you, no matter how strong your desire to become a columnist is. If you’re a working journalist, getting the column of your dreams may be as simple as putting in some effort and then pitching an idea to your editor after she’s become acquainted with your work. If you don’t have a professional relationship with the editor of the publication where you want to write, you’ll have to work hard to get her attention and prove that your column idea is worthwhile and that you’re the best person for the job.
Familiarizing yourself with an editor’s publication is one of the most important things you can do before pitching your column to her. Read several issues in their entirety to ensure you understand the tone and target audience of the publication. Examine the existing columns to see if yours will fit in well, or if it will cover ground already covered another columnist. Receiving pitches from writers who are obviously unfamiliar with their publication is one of the most vexing aspects of many editors’ jobs. As a result, only attempt to pitch your column after you are confident that it is appropriate for a publication.
Another piece of advice that may help you become a columnist is to approach a potential editor with only original and well-defined ideas. A pitch proposing a column covering world travel, for example, may be rejected both because it has been seen before and because it is so broad that it appears vague. Consider your area of interest from a different perspective. You could propose a column about family-friendly European vacations if you are a European travel enthusiast who frequently vacations with your children.
Finally, an editor must be convinced that you are the best candidate for the job, even if she likes your column idea. Prepare to discuss your credentials, regardless of the topic you propose. Proving your expertise is simple if you are pitching an economics column and have a master’s degree in economics. If you want to write about a subject for which there is no such concrete proof of expertise, your best bet might be to submit sample columns that demonstrate your ability to write about that subject well.