How to Become an Environmental Columnist

Everyone and everything are going green. Newspapers, magazines, Web sites and virtually every other publication medium include some aspect of green living in their content.
Becoming an environmental columnist is a good avenue to enter because there is some job security. While many naysayers claim the green movement is a fad, the fact that governments and industries across the nation are getting on board, too, argues strongly that going green is not just the Next Big Thing. It is a huge movement and will continue to be so.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet access Knowledge of the publishing industry Ability to write on deadline Ability to self edit

1. Becoming an environmental columnist requires thorough knowledge of the green movement and new environmental technologies. It also requires some dedication and probably doing some work for free in order to acquire a medium for which you can write. Unless you're an experienced writer already, you'll have to build up your portfolio and create a reputation.
   To do this, you'll have to dedicate some free time to writing articles -- most likely for free. Create a free blog at Blogger.com, WordPress.com or TypePad.com. Or if you have the know-how and don't mind paying to host a Web site, create your own Web site. Regardless of where you blog, write a regular environmental column. It can be hard to maintain a regular schedule, but it is important for when you apply for a position as a columnist, especially if you don't have any other writing experience. Writing regularly shows that you are capable of maintaining a regular writing schedule.

2. Once you have a handful of well-written environmental blogs, put together your resume and cover letters and start researching publications that may be looking for an environmental columnist. Try local newspapers or magazines first.

3. If you receive a positive response from your queries, then you're set. But if you don't, try freelancing opportunities. There are several environmental magazines in the U.S., so try as many as possible. When you query magazines for freelancing opportunities, don't suggest that you become a regular columnist. Unless you're exceptional, they'll probably just ignore your e-mail. Instead, send article suggestions about trade-specific pieces, such as new developments in eco-living.

4. Keep reading. Keep writing. If you don't land much work outside of your blog, promote your blog. Register it with Internet search engines, become friends with other bloggers and help promote one another, or -- if you're willing to pay out of pocket -- purchase ads. And to get paid for your blog, sell ads.
   If you aren't successful in finding a paying job, just keep at it in your spare time and keep looking for the right job.

Tips & Warnings

• As with starting any new column, you have to create a reputation that you know what you're talking about. To do that, you have to know what you're talking about.

References

• Start An Environmental Blog
• Environmental Column in Time Magazine

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