Writing the news
By Joanie
@Freelanzer (10744)
Canada
August 28, 2017 8:50pm CST
Writing for an online news site can be exciting and rewarding but very demanding. This post just gives my overview of one particular site, but won't mention the name here.
You write the news but it must be your original reporting on the news and must be from credible sources. You can also write an opinion piece but it is listed as an opinion, not news. Plagiarism will get you kicked off the site in an instant. There is a 2000 characters minimum and you get paid based on views.
You also have to list your sources and they have some strict rules about writing style, grammar and so on. For example, you must have sub headings and you can't use the same key word too many times in the article.
The site uses a very efficient algorithm so when you submit an article it can be rejected before it goes to the editors if all the requirements aren't met. The articles are reviewed by an editor and either published, rejected or sent back for editing.
Have you ever written for a news site or one with similar requirements?
10 people like this
10 responses
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
29 Aug 17
Yes I presently write for an on/line news site that is PPV. It is not very lucrative though, as you say.
2 people like this
@Freelanzer (10744)
• Canada
29 Aug 17
It all depends on views. They encourage you to link to social media sites to get more views. But I just like the idea of reporting the news.
2 people like this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
1 Sep 17
@Freelanzer Me too and it doesn't work that much! ha!
2 people like this
@Freelanzer (10744)
• Canada
29 Aug 17
I think they go more for the global news events that would garner more views, whether it is politics, entertainment or sports.
1 person likes this
@poehere (15126)
• French Polynesia
29 Aug 17
@Freelanzer That is excellent. I am glad that you like writing for this site. Have fun.
2 people like this
@moneychaser (813)
• Baguio, Philippines
29 Aug 17
Most do lazy reports. Most reporters also are biased. They twist reports. I don't really like it.
2 people like this
@Freelanzer (10744)
• Canada
29 Aug 17
I am sure there are others who feel the same way you do
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (66918)
• United States
29 Aug 17
I have not. I think id be overwhelmed
2 people like this
@Freelanzer (10744)
• Canada
29 Aug 17
It can be overwhelming for sure and it takes time to write one story
2 people like this
@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
7 Sep 17
@Freelanzer That is true. Just to get my thoughts together can be time consuming.
1 person likes this
@Freelanzer (10744)
• Canada
29 Aug 17
It has its upsides and downsides but it does make you feel like a real reporter
1 person likes this
@CodenameFStop (99)
• United States
7 Sep 17
That's very interesting that there are freelancing opportunities for reporting like this. I interned with a local news station during college and I had also had the opportunity to write some stories for the web. I only rehashed what CNN and other sites already posted, however, so there was no digging required or source searching needed on my part.
2 people like this
@Freelanzer (10744)
• Canada
8 Sep 17
I try to use more than one sources to get a broader view and also add some historical data to enhance the story
1 person likes this
@Freelanzer (10744)
• Canada
29 Aug 17
Yes the standards are high but once you follow their guidelines and do your research its not that difficult
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
6 Sep 17
it sounds like they sift the writers and the articles thoroughly. do you get paid immediately after your news story is published?
1 person likes this
@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
5 Sep 17
Many years ago I wrote for a local newspaper in New Jersey. It was a column with all community news. I had some restrictions but it wasn't bad. I ended up leaving as I was hearing so many negative things and I did not want any part of it so I quit.
1 person likes this
@Freelanzer (10744)
• Canada
6 Sep 17
Too bad about the negativity but hopefully you will do it again if you still want to.
1 person likes this
@mukibrahim (15)
•
29 Aug 17
never written in my life for a news organization but i really like the idea of it though. can you give me a few tips, experiences on being a writer, will greatly appreciate it
2 people like this
@Freelanzer (10744)
• Canada
29 Aug 17
The important thing is understanding and following their guidelines. You also need to be able to research the story by looking at different media reports. You can start by reading news stories to get an idea of how they are written.
2 people like this
