We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Education

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How do I Become an Online Journalist?

By Sheri Cyprus
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 3,902
Share

If you want to become an online journalist, the first thing you should realize is that although no one is likely to offer you a full-time job as one, you can certainly still create the career you desire. Online journalism is freelance work and you'll get to work from your own home office. You'll also be able to work within the hours you choose to meet client deadlines. In order to maintain enough work to become an online journalist, you'll have to write as well as promote your services on a daily basis.

It may take time to earn enough income to maintain your living expenses, so it's a good idea to save at least six months of income before trying to become an online journalist. Another option would be to start writing online part-time while holding down another job. Most people are open to having new writers be a guest blogger on their website as long as it doesn't cost them anything. While you shouldn't make writing for free a habit, having two or three pieces that you can use as clips, or samples of your work, to get paying clients can be worth it.

You should spend time searching for online publications that suit the subjects you write about. While you may be open to writing on many different topic areas, if you specialize in two or three, it can make you stand out from other online journalists and get you noticed by editors. The stronger your experience in a certain area, whether it's politics, fashion or something else, the more likely you'll be to get better writing assignments.

Looking for online publications that relate to your specialty topics by using search engines can provide you with many possible markets. Online magazines, newspapers and trade journals can all be found by searching the Internet. For instance, if you want to become an online journalist who specializes in alternative health subjects, you could type something like "wellness magazines" into a search engine.

From the different publications and directories that result from your search, you can choose the ones that seem to match your writing. Read these online publications and try to pinpoint how your journalistic pieces will fit in; pay careful attention to following the writer's guidelines before querying the editor.

Querying the editor means contacting him or her about writing a story. The publication's guidelines will usually state exactly what type of stories the magazine, newspaper or trade journal wants. Starting your own blog in which you write regularly on topics you hope to be paid to cover can help get your name out to the public as well as to editors.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/how-do-i-become-an-online-journalist.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.