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Discover the Internet Column Writing World
by Mary Emma Allen

The Internet has opened up a whole new world of writing and a call for columns in ezines and on web sites. This gives the columnist many more opportunities for writing than in the print world. The unpublished columnist often can become published more quickly than he/she might in the print world. This enables the new columnist to determine whether they can maintain the pace and meet the deadlines.

However, there are advantages and disadvantages to column writing on the Internet. You must determine what your goal in column writing is and whether it's best to write for one or the other (print or online) or both.

Advantages of Internet Column Writing

• You find many more opportunities for writing columns, especially if you're new as a columnist.

• You can do your research for these markets quicker than in the print world.

• Editors of online publications usually respond faster than those of print publications, although now with the use of e-mail, many print editors give quick responses, too.

• Your online columns are read worldwide and your name becomes known further afield than your hometown (where many columnists start) or to readers of a selected magazine.

• You may have the opportunity to write for more different types of publications online.

• Online editors seem more willing to take a chance with a previously unpublished columnist than print publishers do.

  
  

• Many of these online opportunities are non-paying. The majority of the publications (ezines and web sites) are just starting up and don't have much funding. However, they do give the new columnist a way to get started and achieve success.

• Although your online column may carry your copyright symbol and essentially is protected by copyright laws, there is more possibility of it's being plagiarized on the Internet than from a print publication.

• With some editors you may want eventually to write for, an online column doesn't carry the same credibility as a print one.

  
  Why Write for Little Pay?

  Why would a columnist write online columns for little or no pay?

  • To get started and to get your name out there.

  • To gain experience and credibility.

  • To know that you can maintain the momentum of producing a column weekly or monthly.

  • To boost your belief in yourself to work for your greater goals.

  • Also, some columnists have a larger goal of book publication, either a book of their columns or in promoting a book by writing columns on the topic.

  • However, since your goal is to earn a living or supplement your income with your writing, you eventually will want to be paid. Frequently, too, ezines and web sites that can't pay you at first, acquire the finances to do so. In that case, remaining with them through the start-up times pays off.

    
    

  Writing for Own Ezine

  Some columnists start their own ezines and web sites to publicize their writing, a book, their family history, to reach out to other people and encourage them. For whatever reason, you must have material for your publication.

  The easiest and least expensive way to obtain material is to write your own column and use press releases sent out by other authors, organizations, and businesses. This becomes another way to gain experience as an online columnist.

  This new world of Internet writing opens up many possibilities for the columnist. Look into it for your writing.

  Copyright © 2002 Mary Emma Allen

  Mary Emma Allen writes for children and adults and writes columns about many topics. Information about her books and manuals is available on her web site. There also are some sample columns there, too. Visit her Web site -- http://homepage.fcgnetworks.net/jetent/mea.
  
  
  
  

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