Self-Syndication: Developing the Sample Column

When presenting your query letter to newspaper editors, one of the most critical pieces of the package is the sample column. This is where the editor gets to see what you can really do and whether you can really write in an engaging and informative way. The editor will imagine what your column would look like in his or her paper, beside their existing columns and with their readership. Spending time upfront to develop an outstanding sample column will be the key to an editor saying yes.

Your sample column should be representative of the topic. While some columns down the road may focus on a tiny portion of the topic, the sample should be widely readable and discuss several aspects of the topic. For example, if you are writing about pets, you may eventually have a column on clipping dogs' toenails. This, however, is not a good candidate for the sample column as it excludes cat owners. In this example, you may want to write about removing pet hair from carpets or the benefits of having a pet when recovering from illness. Make it as inclusive as you can so that the editor can envision future columns in your topic.

Don't start a column by introducing it. Editors may choose to pick up your column only after other papers have run them for a few months so make every column, including your first installment, relevant and on topic. Don't write things like, "In future columns, we will cover -- ". This obligates an editor to make sure that you keep your promises down the road. It also ties their hands if they choose to drop your column before you actually write about those topics.

Keep your columns independent of each other. There should not be crossover where you refer to other columns you have written. No reader should feel like they should have read more of your columns to know what you are talking about. Editors want each column to stand on its own two feet and give the reader useful information independently.

Decide how long you want each column to be and ensure that the sample column represents that length. The 750 word mark is a common one requested by editors as it fits well into newspaper sizes. If this is the length of column you are proposing to editors, make sure that the sample copy is close to that length. Editors will judge future columns by the sample.

Your sample column should be your best work. Check it over several times for spelling and grammar errors. Read it out loud to hear its rhythm and cadence. Have an editor friend look it over as a second set of eyes. Often, others can see errors in our work when we have missed them. Once the sample chapter is written and edited, it is ready to attach to the query letter.