If you’re reading this, you’re probably already considering a career in the digital marketing industry. Now, all you need is some solid content to stand out from the crowd.
The problem is, the majority of blogs and websites in the SEO space are trying too hard to be original. They’ll often publish un-interviewed guests’ posts to attract more readers.
The good news is there’s a much easier way to become a recognized expert in your industry. You just have to follow a simple routine to get featured in top tier business magazines such as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and GQ, among others.
Here’s the formula:
Invest In Professional-Looking Images
The graphics you see on a magazine’s website are often the work of a professional photographer. It takes a skilled eye to create polished images for online magazines, and there’s plenty of opportunity to learn on the job. If you have a good eye for photography and know how to edit images, this is a skill you can bring to the table.
The key is to learn how to properly invest in graphic design and photography for a higher conversion rate. These are the qualities that separate high-quality websites from those that are just okay.
Build Your Portfolio
The other piece of advice we can give you to greatly improve your chances of getting featured in a major magazine is to build your portfolio. It doesn’t matter if you’re a long-time entrepreneur or a college student with a blog, having work that stands out is the key to getting noticed by a professional.
Even if you just have a few websites or blogs to showcase, do what you can to keep building upon your work. Once you have a few successful sites under your belt, you can sit back and enjoy the benefits of being a sought-after writer.
Find Magazine’s Online Edition
Nowadays, many magazines offer a full digital edition. More and more publications are moving toward a web-first strategy, so if you want to write for a high-profile magazine, you’ll have to look for their digital edition. You can find the New York Times’ digital edition here, for example.
Once you locate the digital edition of the magazine you want to write for, you’ll have to decide whether you want to pitch an article or conduct an interview. If you’re pitching, make sure that the topic you propose is something that the editor would be interested in. If you’re conducting an interview, be sure to research the right contact at the magazine. The better prepared you are before you pitch or interview, the more you’ll shine during the process.
Be Prepared To Network
Finally, don’t forget about networking. The more you meet with people in your industry, the more opportunities you’ll have to pitch yourself for future roles.
The truth is, getting featured in a high-profile magazine is much easier than you’d think. All you need is a little bit of luck and the willingness to put in the work. Follow the guidelines above, and you’ll be able to write for some of the most respected magazines in the world.