How Much Money Does a Syndicated Columnist Make?

GENERAL QUESTIONS

·	What is a “Syndicated Newspaper Column?“

·	How is an “Article” different than a “Column?”

·	How does one get syndicated?

·	Should I “syndicate” or “self-syndicate?”

·	How does Market2Editors work?

·	Which do editors prefer - e-mail or snail-mail?

·	How will my syndicated newspaper column be presented to editors?

·	Does Market2Editors send to ALL newspaper editors?

·	Are there any Newspaper Columns Market2Editors turns down?

·	How can I be sure my syndicated newspaper column isn’t seen as spam?

·	Do I get a report on which editors read my submission?

·	How will newspaper editors contact me?

·	What are my chances of getting published?

·	Does Market2Editors guarantee you will sell your newspaper column?

MONEY MATTERS

·	How much money does a syndicated columnist make?

·	How much should I charge for my syndicated newspaper column?

·	What are the benefits of writing a syndicated newspaper column?

·	How else can writing a syndicated newspaper column change my life?

WRITING YOUR COLUMN

·	How do I craft my syndicated newspaper column?

·	Is my column’s topic of interest to newspaper editors?

·	Do you need to be an expert to write a newspaper column?

·	Should my newspaper column be daily, weekly or monthly?

·	How many words should my newspaper column be?

·	Any tips for editing my own writing?

·	How important is my newspaper column’s title?

·	How do I write a compelling query letter?

MANAGING YOUR NEW CAREER

·	Do you have a sample contract for newspaper columnists?

·	How do I bill editors for my syndicated newspaper column?

SUBMITTING YOUR WORK

·	How many columns do I need to write to get started?

·	What are the prices and how do I order?

I Googled my competition and am appalled at how misleading they are about how much money a typical syndicated newspaper columnist will actually make. Sure, Brad Pitt makes $40 million per picture, but if you were lured into acting with the inference that his is a normal paycheck, that would be baaadd - very very baaaaadddd!

The reality is that it takes a HUMONGAS amount of sales before you can even consider quitting your day job. If that is your immediate (vs. ultimate) goal, then it would be morally improper for me to take your money. (SOB) Even as a syndicated columnist for King Features, sadly, I was never able to quit my day job.

So is the freelance climate getting better or worse?

Happily, today’s dismal economy may very well might be the best news in decades for syndicated newspaper columnists. Even as newspapers are cutting staff and costs, editors know newspapers don’t write themselves. For them, paying as little as $40 per column beats supporting an on-staff columnist who has acquired the pesky habit of living indoors and feeding his or her family. As that freelance columnist, no you will not be making as much per column. Still, it adds up.