How to Publish Your Article and Avoid Rejection

It’s a simple enough process. You know how to write and you know what to write about. But, so many opportunities to have your content published online can be lost if you don’t follow a few simple steps.
Even the best writers on the web are not excused from these Golden Rules of Article Marketing and online publishing.

If you want to know how to get your articles published on line and make some good money doing it, read on.
I put together this little infographic to help freelance writers, beginners and seasoned professionals, to stay on track when it comes to submitting your article to other websites for publication.


As you can see, publishing high quality articls online, something we do daily, is a straight forward process. But, it’s amazing how often some of these things are overlooked.
You may overlook them, but busy web sites and the publishers who are offering good money for your articles probably won’t.

Read the Publishers Guidelines Carefully

This is the number one reason most articles are rejected. The article submission did not follow the clearly stated guidelines of the publisher. Don’t let this happen to you.
Here are a few common mistakes…
  • Not submitting your articles or content to the appropriate site
  • Not submitting the details, references or portfolio’s that were requested
Doing your research means…
  • Use search on the publishers site to findout if your idea has already been done
  • Reading the most popular articles on the site and get a feel for the tone
  • Knowing how much to charge and how long your article should be

Only Submit what is Requested

This is vital. Submitting more than what was required is a waste of time for them and you. If the publisher only asks for an introduction, then don’t send them the whole thing. Don’t send them 20 articles if they only asked for one.
Here are a few common examples…
  • Sending more words than requested
  • Sending a bunch of links with no explanation
  • Bogging them down with long winded introductions about yourself
You’re a word-smith. Remember that. Use an economy of words. Edit everything you do until it’s as clear and succinct as possible. Avoid sending your entire CV.
Just a clear bio and outline of your experience, along with a recent win is usually enough.

Have a Unique Selling Point

Please don’t start your introduction (or anything for that matter) with, “I’m the gal for the job, and here’s why…” Instead, just get straight down to it and tell them what it is you have provided that is of real value.
And then state in one sentence what that real value is.
Here are a few common errors…
  • Being too cute (untimely humour) or self inflating
  • Nobody cares if you are happy go lucky. Do you meet deadlines?
  • No-one really cares about your passion. What we want to know is, are you any good?
Don’t tell people your the best. Don’t tell them you have what it takes. Show them. Work on your article titles and your introduction. Make it polished an compelling so that they are likely to read on.
Your publisher reads all day long. What is the one line you can put in your introduction that is going to make him read on?
  • Is it the depth of your research?
  • The unique angle?
  • The tone?
This is so important. If your publisher is bored, either because your article is verbose, long winded, unfocused, poorly written, all over the shop, filled with commas, untidy, uninteresting…. get the idea? … then they are likely to assume that the reader will feel the same way. Yawn…..

Know your Subject

Once you have decided to pitch an article to a prospective publisher, ask yourself this:
  • Do you really know the subject you are writing on?
  • Do you know how much the article is likely to be worth?
  • Does your work reflect the depth and quality that you see on the site?
Some sites offer light and breezy, others expect deep and meaningful. Some want you to write 4,000 words, others want 600 words. Is it a research site or a chatty mum blog?
Some article jobs require a lot of research because you are not familiar with the subject. That’s no reason to turn the work down. If you are prepared to do the research you will be increasing your own visibility and authority as a writer.
So, don’t shy away from a project just because it is a new field. On the other hand, know your limits.
Start with easier work writing about what you love. As your writing ability (and pitching ability) improves, then you can hunt bigger game. But, no matter how big you get.


These four Golden Rules are unbreakable if you want to do well as a freelance writer.

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