When I decided to focus on small business, I created a list of 50 topics and drafted my first 10 columns. I met with the business editor of my local paper. He had covered my business activities during the previous decade, and he liked my topics and my writing style. However, it still took months before a decision was made to carry my column, which was launched in May 1990. Be persistent but patient .
Newspapers generate immediate income from advertisements.
Therefore, editors typically allocate a specific number of column-inches to news stories, features and columns. In order to run your column in their paper, they must displace some other columnist or feature to make room for you. If other columnists or writers have a following in the paper, it may be difficult to dislodge them. Expect changes . First, my columns are shorter and more condensed than they used to be.