Syndicated Column - Attracting a Syndicate like King Features

·	Syndication by a corporation - The initial launch

Say you do get chosen by a large corporate syndicate. What can you expect?

During the initial kick-off period, the syndicate concentrates on selling YOUR material. It's very exciting!

At the time of my launch, I was convinced I was going to be the next "Dear Abby." But unfortunately, there were factors over which I had no control. Like the editors, for example. As well as whether they happened to have space in their newspaper for another column. But what I REALLY had no control over was the price of paper -- which rose so suddenly and so drastically that publishers were forced to scale down their periodicals to cut costs. In fact, I got - and then lost before the column ever ran - the Orange County Register and the New York Daily News. Eeeekkkkk!!!!

Syndicated columns traditionally sell for very little because, in theory, at least - the number of newspapers will make the columnist's and syndicate's efforts worthwhile.

Should you be fortunate enough to get syndicated by a company like King Features, they personally sell your column to editors. They will collect the money and split it 50/50 with you. This is certainly worth it because they actively sell the column.

·	Self-syndicating means you sell it yourself and keep ALL the money.

Sure it would be nice if King Features did this for you but what if you were one of the 4,998 writers they didn’t choose last year? Bummer!

What do they have that you don’t? Expertise! But if you choose to self-syndicate through a company like Market2Editors, you can learn everything you need to know and then e-mail to our excusive list of editors for as little as $250 for a 4-submission campaign.

·	A Corporate Syndicate will usually take 50 % of your income

- which is fair since without them, you would have no income at all. Unless, of course, you self-syndicate.

·	Syndication by a corporation - after the initial launch

Syndicates differ on how they handle their list of columnists after the launch. But when the sales folk make their twice yearly sales pilgrimages, make no mistake, they concentrate their efforts on that new column being launched, not the "back list" that you are now on. That means you are likely to lose newspapers as time goes on. If you column is not continually being sold, then your income will undoubtedly decline as the years fly by.

·	Your chances of getting syndicated by a corporate syndicate.

In 1993, King Features received over 5,000 submissions from folks hoping to become syndicated columnists. They chose two. I know because my column, "Ask Rat Dog," was one of them. Why me? I am sure there were equally talented writers who submitted that year. But, for whatever reason, a column in which readers could ask questions of a real life "Nancy Drew" captured the imagination of the one person in the position to make the decision - that year.

But say you were one of the 4998 others who submitted that year - do you have to give up your dream? Happily, no.

The reason I recommend Market2Editors is that I know how its list was created. It was individually and manually verified every step of the way, and every attempt possible was made to get the mail directly to an editor, not to some generic in-box.

Because Market2Editors does the mailings itself, it continually updates the list to reflect changes and refine its focus. Basically, it’s not a spam list. Too many lists purporting to provide similar functions are. I know. I get a lot of the mailings they generate.

How will writing a syndicated column change my life?

What makes the “Market 2 Editors” site THE expert on writing a syndicated column?

How does one write a syndicated column?

Do newspaper editors prefer E-MAIL or snail-mail?

Is my column’s topic of interest to newspaper editors?

Does the “Market 2 Editors” site turn down any columns?

Do you need to be an expert to write a column?

How important is my column’s title?

How do I write a compelling query letter?

Any tips for editing my writing?

What do I need to know about the business end of writing & syndicating a column?

What should I charge for writing my syndicated column?

Do you have a sample column contract?

How will my syndicated column submission be presented to newspaper editors?

Does the “Market 2 Editors” site send to ALL newspaper editors?

How will newspaper editors contact me?

What percentage response can I expect from submitting my syndicated column?

Do you have any references? Does the “Market 2 Editors” site guarantee its service?

Why isn’t a single submission enough to launch a syndicated column?