For many people, approaching a national newspaper or magazine can be a harrowing experience, and something they only do once in a lifetime. They may suddenly find themselves at the center of a big story with reporters camped out on their doorstep. And they don’t know which way to go. Perhaps they want to expose an injustice or gain press coverage in a newspaper, magazine or television for their business or charity. Or maybe they just want to earn some extra money. They have read real life stories in magazines, newspapers and magazines and wonder if they too could make some money selling their story.

So what are the different ways you can sell a story to the press? And how do you know if your story is interesting enough to sell?

First of all, unless you’re at the center of a media storm (more on that later), the only way to know if your story can be placed in a newspaper or magazine is to get it published.

Your options are:

Sell ​​your story directly to a newspaper or magazine.

There is nothing stopping you from approaching a publisher yourself. Simply call the publication of your choice and ask who is the best person to submit your story to. Most news and reporting departments will prefer that you email a brief synopsis of your story. Keep it short, just a few paragraphs, as editors are busy people and won’t have time to read much more. You need to include the basic points of your story. For example, if you want to sell a relationship story, say so. “My husband left me for my best friend” is better than starting at the beginning and going through so much detail that the editor needs to read reams before getting to this. Then be sure to include your name and a contact number. A small photo is also a good idea.

If your story is of interest, you can be sure that you will receive a quick phone call. If not, it may be worth a follow-up email or phone call. But if after a couple of days you still haven’t received any interest, then you can assume there probably isn’t any. In this case, just try the next newspaper or magazine on your list (remember to find the right person to send your story to again).

If a publisher is interested, great! Just make sure they put in writing how much they will pay you for your story and what they expect from you. For example, will you need to pose for a photo? Can they sell your story to another publication? When will they pay you? (usually a few weeks after publication).

Sell ​​your story through an agent

While it’s possible to sell your story to a newspaper or magazine yourself (and be very happy), many people now prefer to go through a my story media broker. A top-tier media agent will sell stories to magazines, newspapers, and even television on a daily basis. He or she will be able to win you multiple deals and even start a bidding war between magazines and newspapers (which will make you more money or gain more publicity). He or she will also be able to give you a good idea of ​​how much your story is worth and be able to market your story properly so that it is strong and salable.

Some agents will simply negotiate your story with a newspaper or magazine, getting you a deal (where they can charge a flat fee from a publication or a pre-set percentage of your fee) and then speak directly to a journalist on staff.

Some will also write your story for you (they get paid to write it) and will also negotiate a separate fee from the newspaper or magazine for you.

Whichever agent you choose (and only approach them one at a time, as only one can sell your story) ask to see newspaper or magazine clippings with their byline on them. A good agent and experienced journalist should have a lot! Finally, if you find yourself at the center of a media storm, the best advice is to find an agent. Again, ask that agent for clippings or what other clients he has recently represented.