Craig McGinty on how journalists can reap the rewards of blogging - and he should know!

HOW often do you have an article idea that you think will interest readers, but is unfortunately not commissioned by a newspaper or magazine? writes Craig McGinty.
With the online publishing tools available today there is no need to scrub it off your notepad or pop it in your ideas folder with countless others.

I think any freelance journalist, or wantaway staffer, who is covering a subject can use blogging software to both supplement their income or maybe in time strike out with their own publishing project.

After four years running a website aimed at English-speaking expats living in France, I have learnt much about the ever changing internet world.

But importantly many of the skills I gained working as a journalist on local newspapers have been easy to transfer to the land of blogs, RSS and social networks.

Granted there are some internet and HTML techniques that are worth grasping, but I am only talking about how the code behind making links and email addresses live should be written, and much can be gained by viewing the source of a web page.

Also an appreciation of using images, as well as the influence social networks can have on promoting your site, are worth reading up on but again these are things that are not too difficult to grasp with a little time spent on the web.

By far the biggest lesson I have learnt is the value of copyright. Retaining the rights over your work lets you continue earning from a piece today, next week, next year.

For example, an article I wrote for one of my sites over two years ago has been earning me a regular income each month from the advertising included in it.

And it is not a glowing piece of marketing speak, it just offers tips and advice and is even open to people to comment upon - some of which are negative.

I know this one piece has earned more that I could have gained from trying to sell it to a features editor.

And what of the work you have already written, but that is now gathering digital dust on your hard drive? Whilst sat there it can't be found by interested readers or search engines, and it is not earning you any income.

Using blogging software to drive a site allows you to get this work in front of an audience easily, and if it is not dated and is as useful today as it was when you first wrote it, then with some related adverts on the page it can be drip feeding income into your account around the clock.

Don't stop with the work you've already produced, most journalists will be following a subject or have a specialism that is news-worthy, so you can start publishing news briefs, reporting on new findings or interview people from your particular sector.

Sound familiar? Isn't this what you are already doing? But heading online has also let me spend more time writing.

Not only have I pulled the plug on the daily commute, I'm also free to pick up my notepad and pen, or laptop, to find a new source of inspiration, be that the city centre coffee bar or an exhibition a train journey away.

Also gone from my day is the pitching to, and chasing of, commissioning editors. As well as the biggest pain to all freelancers, being passed from pillar to post by the accounts department when you want paying.

It can be quite a sobering exercise to sit down and work out how long it actually takes to get the green light for a piece, write it and then chase down someone to receive payment.

All of the advertising services I use regularly send me a cheque or transfer my earnings directly into my bank, and I can easily check-up to see how the month is going to plan ahead.

I wouldn't recommend plunging straight in and concentrating solely on a site, a careful transition is the safest bet, but you are able to measure income levels and readership very effectively so you will be able to tell if things are going in the right direction.

I see my own site as an online magazine, so it has regular features, analytical tools so I can track how readers find the site and I often test new advertising sources, just like you would do if overseeing a paper-based publication.

As a journalist you already have a skill-set the envy of many, you posses an ability to write, news sense and a willingness to ask questions, enabling your website to stand out from the rest.

With newsroom budgets being cut, and more advertising moving to the web, drawing on these skills will let you map out your own online publishing venture and follow a route down which you could prosper from.

Comments

[Julia]

Thanks a lot for a great piece, once again I feel inspired :-)

[Craig McGinty]

Hi Julia, glad you liked the piece and great to hear it has got you thinking.
All the best, Craig

[Eamon]

I have come across a case of someone blogging their book, post by post, as they couldn't get it published. Is this a good ideas? Was thinking of doing this myself.

[Craig McGinty]

Hi Eammon

This piece might help:

http://www.freelancewritingtips.com/2008/01/writer-and-medi.html

Personally, I would say what have you got to lose?

I suppose the worst thing that can happen is that you get more readers!

And if you provide an option to buy a physical copy of the title then you've got more interested people on your site who may go on and buy your book.

But don't forget the importance of marketing and promoting yourself if you go down this route.

Hope this helps
Craig