How to Contribute to The Huffington Post: A Comprehensive Guide

Contributing to The Huffington Post (now HuffPost) can significantly elevate your profile, establish you as a thought leader, and expose your writing to a vast and diverse audience. While HuffPost no longer operates exactly as it did in its heyday, the principles of crafting compelling content and understanding its submission guidelines remain crucial for landing a spot on their platform. This comprehensive guide provides detailed steps and instructions to help you navigate the process successfully.

Understanding the HuffPost Landscape

Before diving into the submission process, it’s crucial to understand the evolution of HuffPost and its current editorial focus. In its prime, HuffPost heavily relied on unpaid contributors. However, with changes in ownership and media landscape, the emphasis has shifted. While opportunities for external contributions still exist, they are often more curated and focused on specific niches.

Key Areas to Consider:

* Current Editorial Focus: Explore HuffPost’s main sections (e.g., News, Politics, Entertainment, Life, Wellness, Style, Travel, Food) and pay close attention to the topics they are currently covering. Are they focusing on investigative journalism, personal essays, trending news, or expert analysis?
* HuffPost’s Voice and Tone: Understand the publication’s overall voice and tone. HuffPost generally aims for a conversational, accessible, and often progressive style. Your writing should align with this ethos.
* Recent Changes and Updates: Keep abreast of any updates to their submission guidelines or editorial policies. Media landscapes are dynamic, and staying informed is vital.
* HuffPost Personal: HuffPost Personal section is a great place for personal essays and narratives on various life experiences. Explore this section to understand the types of stories they are likely to publish.

Step-by-Step Guide to Contributing

While HuffPost doesn’t have a straightforward “submit your article” button like some platforms, here’s a strategic approach to increasing your chances of getting published:

1. Define Your Niche and Expertise:

* Identify Your Strengths: What are you passionate about and knowledgeable in? What unique perspective can you offer? Defining your niche will help you create targeted and relevant content.
* Research Existing Content: Explore HuffPost’s archives within your chosen niche. What topics have they already covered? What perspectives are missing? This research will help you identify gaps in their coverage and craft original content.
* Build Your Authority: Establish yourself as an expert in your field through your website, blog, social media, or other online platforms. Having a strong online presence will lend credibility to your pitch.

2. Craft a Compelling Pitch:

* Understand the Importance of a Pitch: A pitch is a concise and persuasive summary of your proposed article. It’s your first and often only chance to grab an editor’s attention.
* Elements of a Strong Pitch:
* Clear and Concise: State your topic, angle, and key arguments clearly and concisely. Avoid jargon and unnecessary fluff.
* Original and Timely: Highlight the originality of your idea and its relevance to current events or ongoing discussions.
* Benefit to the Reader: Explain why your article will be valuable to HuffPost’s readers. What insights will they gain? What problems will it help them solve?
* Your Credentials: Briefly mention your expertise and relevant experience to establish your credibility.
* Suggested Headline: Propose a catchy and informative headline that accurately reflects your article’s content.
* Word Count Estimate: Give the editor an idea of the article’s length.
* Pitch Template Example:
* **Subject Line:** Pitch: [Your Article Title] – [Your Name]
* **Body:**
* Dear [Editor’s Name],
* I’m writing to pitch an article on [topic] that explores [angle] and argues that [key argument].
* [Briefly explain the current situation or problem that your article addresses].
* My article will offer [unique insights or solutions] and will be of interest to HuffPost’s readers because [explain the reader benefit].
* I am [briefly describe your credentials and experience].
* I have attached a sample of my writing for your review.
* Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
* Sincerely,
* [Your Name]
* [Your Website/Social Media Links]
* Keep it Brief: Aim for a pitch that is no more than 200-300 words.

3. Identifying Potential Editors:

* Research HuffPost Staff: Use LinkedIn, Twitter, and the HuffPost website to identify editors who cover your niche. Look for editors who have recently written about similar topics.
* Follow Editors on Social Media: Engage with their content and get a sense of their interests and preferences. This can provide valuable insights into what they are looking for.
* Use Twitter Advanced Search: Search for relevant keywords and phrases related to your niche and see which HuffPost editors are tweeting about them.
* Check the Author Byline: When you see an article on HuffPost that’s similar to what you want to write, make a note of the editor who likely oversees that section. The author byline often includes the section, which can guide you. Sometimes the byline will directly state the editor’s name.

4. Connecting and Building Relationships:

* Start with Engagement: Instead of immediately pitching an editor you’ve never interacted with, start by engaging with their content on social media or leaving thoughtful comments on their articles.
* Attend Industry Events: Network with editors and journalists at conferences, workshops, and other industry events. Face-to-face interactions can be more effective than cold emails.
* Offer Value: Share relevant articles, resources, or insights with editors that might be of interest to them. This demonstrates that you are knowledgeable and helpful.
* Be Patient and Persistent: Building relationships takes time and effort. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t hear back from an editor right away. Follow up politely after a reasonable period.
* Avoid Generic Emails: Don’t send mass emails or generic pitches. Personalize your communication and demonstrate that you have taken the time to understand the editor’s interests and the publication’s needs.

5. Submitting Your Pitch:

* Find the Right Email Address: Look for the editor’s email address on the HuffPost website, LinkedIn, or Twitter. You can also try using a tool like Hunter.io to find email addresses.
* Craft a Professional Email: Use a clear and concise subject line that indicates the purpose of your email (e.g., “Pitch: [Your Article Title]”).
* Personalize Your Email: Address the editor by name and mention something specific that you admire about their work or the publication.
* Include Your Pitch: Paste your pitch directly into the body of the email. Don’t attach it as a separate document.
* Attach Writing Samples: Include links to your previous writing samples or attach a PDF of your best work.
* Proofread Carefully: Ensure that your email and pitch are free of typos, grammatical errors, and formatting issues.
* Follow Up Politely: If you don’t hear back from the editor within a week or two, follow up with a polite email. Reiterate your interest in contributing and ask if they have had a chance to review your pitch.

6. Writing the Article (If Your Pitch is Accepted):

* Adhere to HuffPost’s Style Guide: Familiarize yourself with HuffPost’s style guide and writing conventions. Pay attention to things like headline capitalization, punctuation, and citation format.
* Write in a Clear and Concise Style: Use simple language, short sentences, and active voice. Avoid jargon and technical terms that readers may not understand.
* Provide Evidence and Support: Back up your claims with evidence from credible sources. Cite your sources properly and avoid plagiarism.
* Include Images and Multimedia: Use high-quality images, videos, and other multimedia elements to enhance your article and engage readers. Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to use these materials.
* Optimize for SEO: Use relevant keywords and phrases throughout your article to improve its search engine ranking.
* Edit and Proofread Carefully: Before submitting your article, edit and proofread it carefully for any errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, or style. Ask a friend or colleague to review your article as well.
* Meet Deadlines: If you are given a deadline for submitting your article, be sure to meet it. This demonstrates that you are reliable and professional.

7. Promoting Your Article:

* Share on Social Media: Share your article on all of your social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Use relevant hashtags to reach a wider audience.
* Email Your Network: Send an email to your friends, family, and colleagues to let them know about your article. Ask them to share it with their networks as well.
* Engage in Discussions: Monitor the comments section of your article and respond to readers’ questions and comments. This will help you build relationships with your audience and establish yourself as a thought leader.
* Track Your Results: Use analytics tools to track the performance of your article. Pay attention to metrics like page views, social shares, and comments. This data will help you understand what types of content resonate with HuffPost’s audience and improve your future articles.

Key Considerations for Success

* Originality is Paramount: HuffPost seeks fresh perspectives and unique angles. Avoid rehashing existing content or offering generic opinions.
* Relevance is Key: Ensure your topic aligns with HuffPost’s current editorial focus and the interests of its readers.
* Strong Writing Skills are Essential: Your writing must be clear, concise, engaging, and error-free.
* Professionalism Matters: Treat editors with respect and professionalism. Follow their guidelines and be responsive to their feedback.

Alternative Avenues for Visibility

* HuffPost Create: While no longer a primary platform, check if there are any current opportunities through HuffPost Create or similar initiatives. These platforms may offer a way to showcase your work.
* Repurpose Your Content: If you are unable to get published on HuffPost directly, consider repurposing your content for other platforms, such as your own blog, LinkedIn, or Medium. This will allow you to reach a wider audience and build your authority in your chosen field.
* Guest Blogging on Related Sites: Contribute to other websites and blogs in your niche. This will help you build your portfolio and establish yourself as an expert, which can increase your chances of getting published on HuffPost in the future.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

* Submitting Generic Pitches: Sending the same pitch to multiple editors or publications without tailoring it to their specific interests and needs.
* Ignoring Submission Guidelines: Failing to read and follow the publication’s submission guidelines, including word count, formatting, and style requirements.
* Poor Writing Quality: Submitting articles that are poorly written, grammatically incorrect, or contain factual errors.
* Lack of Originality: Offering derivative content that does not provide a fresh perspective or unique insights.
* Being Unresponsive: Failing to respond to editors’ inquiries or feedback in a timely manner.
* Arrogance or Entitlement: Approaching editors with a sense of entitlement or demanding that they publish your work.
* Plagiarism: Submitting articles that contain plagiarized content from other sources. This is a serious offense that can damage your reputation and credibility.

Staying Updated

The media landscape is constantly evolving, so it’s essential to stay updated on HuffPost’s latest guidelines, editorial focus, and submission processes. Subscribe to their newsletter, follow them on social media, and regularly check their website for updates.

Conclusion

Contributing to HuffPost requires dedication, persistence, and a strategic approach. By understanding the publication’s editorial focus, crafting compelling pitches, building relationships with editors, and consistently producing high-quality content, you can significantly increase your chances of getting published and achieving your writing goals. Remember to stay informed, adapt to changes, and never give up on your passion for writing.