How to Become an Online Gossip Columnist

If talking about the latest local, national or international gossip is your thing, then an online gossip column is a passtime that could really turn a profit for you.

Becoming an online gossip columnist is actually a pretty easy thing to do. You can have a great deal of fun dishing the "dirt" on local or national celebrities while airing your opinions in a fun, informal way. Just writing the "news" (as you see it) is not enough for a truly successful gossip column. You also need readers to be your devoted fans and audience members. You can find readers everywhere and even make money by promoting products or selling advertising space on your gossip column.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Identify your topic area. Before you begin gossiping away, you need to determine who you want to talk about. You may want to target celebrities in general or select a sub-group that will appeal to a specific audience. For example, many gossip websites promote themselves as weight loss resources for people who want to lose weight like the stars. You might also want to consider a more local target area, such as a website devoted to the social events in your own hometown. Be careful when you choose your topic. As a gossip columnist, you are likely going to offend.

2. Do your research daily. You need to be on top of what is going on in your topic area at all times. Gossip is only good when you get it out there early. While you can use other gossip websites to get your information, you need to get your own version and take on events into circulation as soon as possible. This means early morning updates and daily reports. You will need to get used to getting up, finding out the information and writing notes on your opinions quickly and early.

3. Create a blog. You can create your own blog in several ways. The easiest way is to sign up for a blog on a free blog website. These sites will help you set up a blog, design a layout and even instruct you on how to upload pictures. You can also register your own website, then upload blog software (also often free) to the website. This allows for more customization, but it also requires programming and coding experience. If you do not have much experience in this area, you should consider hiring a web designer or coder if you wish to build your blog from the ground up. There are some options in our Resources section.

4. Build an article background. In order to attract and hold reader's attention when they visit your online gossip column, you will need some background material. Find some fairly recent "fodder" that you have strong opinions on. Write some background articles. Make sure that interested readers have plenty to keep them occupied. Keep them coming back to your column for more.

5. Promote your column. Let friends, family and co-workers know about your blog. You may even wish to advertise it online. Leave links to it in relevant internet discussion forums. As your gossip column gains regular readers, you will find that you are able to actually make money off your hobby by advertising with content-related ads. You may even start selling banner space on your website.

6. Recruit a readership.

Tips & Warnings

• Read other blogs to support your fellow bloggers. Leave comments.

• Remember that you will likely offend people. Make sure that they do not have legal recourse against you. Your blog will need a set of legal disclaimers, and you will also need to consult a lawyer before you begin writing to make sure that you understand the rules of the game.

Resources

• Read more about how to get people to read your gossip column here.
• Free Blog Website
• Live Journal Website