how can i become an advice columnist in the newspaper?

Question

okay so i want to give advice to people in the newspaper, but i am having a hard time trying to do it. i already looked on google and typed in anything and everything i could possibly think of. do you think you could help me?

Answer 1

Are you a student? You could ask your school newspaper if they are interested in an advice column.

Other than that, you would need to build up some samples of your column and preferably a following and then try to "sell" yourself to area newspapers. The big, syndicated advice columns started out as a column in a single paper and were then picked up by a syndicate.

I would suggest starting a blog where you give advice to get some experience and build up a following.

Answer 2

It will be hard to just go out and look for those kind of job. Those columnists are usually already someone famous(or have good credentials) when they get job as columnist. Or they've been in newspaper before, they may be authors, well known writer...etc.

The thing is it is unlikely you will get into that position unless you had some success as author or had some other media/press experiences.

If you like to write you' probably have better shot at publishing a book than becoming columnist first. At least that's my opinion.

Or try starting good blog and hope it will become popular.

You can also check out Writers Market for list of magazines, publishers, newspapers...etc. Places to get your things published.

Answer 3

Few papers hire advice columnists. There are a couple of syndicated ones who are picked up in a variety of papers (along the lines of Ann Landers). In fact, I knew someone who was married to one of them.

I'd broaden your standards a little bit, and see what happens.

Answer 4

as far as i know you need to market yourself to newspapers, like maybe write on their feedback sections, a page for their readers to express their feedbacks regarding their articles. or if you're really serious about a career in journalism, market yourself more by joining wrtiting contests, attend seminars and the most effective of all, have a college degree in journalism or communication arts.

Answer 5

Besides knowledge of (proper) English and writing samples, you'll probably need to pursue a degree in psychology (specializing in general, family, etc.)... You have to have proven "qualifications" to actually dispense advice to people and opine on pertinent and sensitive topics... Hope this helps,

TCMA

Answer 6

Just assure them you're a liberal without values (even if it's not true) and you'll probably get hired at most newspapers for most positions.

Then, after you get hired you can help people by giving them genuine, sensible advice (unlike that which a liberal would give).

Of course, the liberal paper then wouldn't like you, but it's questionable whether they'd fire you.