Why Syndicate Your Own Newspaper Column?

Whether you currently write a local newspaper column or want to increase your exposure as a writer farther afield, self-syndicating a column may be the ticket for you.

Self-syndication simply means that you are seeking out and managing newspaper clients on your own rather than having a service do it for you (for a cut of your earnings). Self-syndicating gives you more control over your business and leads to closer ties between you and the newspaper editors you work with.

But why would you want to have a syndicated column in the first place (other than to be able to call yourself a syndicated columnist at parties)? Here are the top three reasons why it makes sense to syndicate:

1. Get paid many times over for the same piece of writing

If you write for your local newspaper or for magazines, you know the process: you write an article, the publication runs it and you get paid for it. With syndication, you write once and get paid many times. A syndicated column is non-exclusive, meaning that you can sell display rights over and over again to different newspapers. It means less writing and more money for you. Often, newspapers will pay a little less for non-exclusive columns but you will definitely make up for it in the number of papers your column runs in.

2. Develop a rapport with readers across the country that can lead to new columns or even books.

One of the most important aspects to me of having a syndicated column is that you are connecting with readers all over the country. They will be able to leave comments in the online versions of your columns and will be able to contact you either through the newspaper or directly. Often, the questions that readers ask can lead to future columns or even a book. This kind of feedback is priceless.

3. Build your author platform.

If you are an author or considering becoming one, you have likely heard that publishers are interested in writers who have an existing platform. This means that they have some name recognition outside of their local area and that they are considered an "expert" in their field. Writing a syndicated newspaper column is a great way to position yourself as an expert in your topic area. It will help with book sales down the road, both because you can mention your book in your newspaper bio line and because readers will recognize your name when they see your book in the store.

Self-syndication is a great way for professional writers to write about what they are passionate about and what they are expert at.