Money - Write About It!

This is an article that appeared in Writing for Dollars several years ago. It’s been updated and the markets are all viable. So, take a look fellow writers. Perhaps this is just the project you’re looking for to get your year off to a rip roaring start! Glad to be of service.

Write About Money

By Susan Sundwall

Good grief, have you been watching the stock market roller coaster lately? Scary doesn’t even begin to cover it. But if you’re a savvy freelancer you can take advantage of the situation by creating articles that explain, offer tips and highlight trends in the world of money. And you’ll be happy to know that it’s just about like any other kind of writing if you follow a few simple steps.

Research – A good place to start is your local bank. Inquire about new ways for the average Joe to money manage in this dicey economy. Pick up brochures that offer further explanations. And take notes on investment trends written up in financial publications or tune in to any of the money management segments like Your Money or Money Matters offered on local or national news programs.

Realistically assess – While it can be daunting to think of querying a magazine like Forbes or Money Magazine, you can certainly get your feet wet more slowly. Ask around and see what friends and neighbors would appreciate knowing about money matters close to home. Write to those concerns.

Take the plunge – So your research is done, your article is written and you’ve identified your target audience. What will your approach be to the editors?

If you are approaching one of the high end magazines like Forbes or Mortgage Banking Magazine make sure you understand their content and style. Beg, borrow or steal a copy (or you could buy one – just sayin’) of the magazine to determine the acceptable tone. A recent feature in Forbes, for instance, reports on how you can write about your travel experiences and then write it off. How cool is that? Maybe you’d like to tackle a similar subject. Make your query professional, concise and interesting. Put a little personality into it, too.

How about a publication geared towards specific populations? Try something like AARP the Magazine, or Senior Life. Seniors take their finances very seriously and always appreciate an article written in a manner that’s friendly and easy to understand. Use the same tactics of good research, tone and style for these pieces, too.

Many Americans don’t have time to get a comprehensive reading on all that’s going on with money these days. That’s where a “did you know” or “six quick money tips,” write up is called for. Recently Woman’s World did a split page on how to super charge your kids’ college savings – something all parents would love to know about. By definition these articles will be brief, blocky and full of quick take away tips.

Most people want to know where every bit of their money is now and where it’s coming from next. Help them out. Find some of the newer and better ways to handle our finances and reap the benefit from those words. Check out these guidelines, too.

1. Mortgage Banking Magazine – Fee negotiated with editor in chief http://www.mortgagebankingmagazine.com/WritersGuidelines.htm

2. AARP The Magazine – Pays $1.00 per accepted word http://www.aarpmagazine.org/Articles/a2003-02-21-mag-writers_guidelines.html

3. Girl Works – Negotiate payment and invoice http://girlworks.ca/?page_id=1287

4. Dollar Stretcher – Pays $.10 per word http://www.stretcher.com/menu/writers.cfm

5. Colorado Biz – Pays $.40 and up http://www.cobizmag.com/support/freelance-guidelines/

Image: Free Digital Photos