Syndicated Columnist Tells You How to Do it Too.

Once you become a syndicated column, your business will grow. You will get more clients, make more money. And every once in a while, you just might get a chance to change the world. I encourage you to take that chance. Not only because you can do something really wonderful but because YOU CAN GET A LOT OF PUBLICITY for being a good guy.

Every private investigator - if they are lucky - has one big case they feel strongly enough about to do for free. Mine was when a group of self-described Gypsies began targeting old men for sweetheart scams. That they were diagnosed with digitalis in their systems when they were not prescribed that heart medicine seemed no mystery to me. When the cops drug their feet for two years while two victims languished caused me to take action. My crusade went on for years in obscurity. But when word got out, again, more publicity.

Below find some of the newspapers, magazines and TV shows that highlighted that case and my role in it - including Edgar-award winning author, Jack Olsen’s true crime, “Hastened to the Grave.” This case was also featured in Vanity Fair and People Magazine.

Craft your image - long before you start writing your column.

I owe the success of “Ask Rat Dog” to a variety of ingredients.

·	A funny name for a company

·	A woman in a “man’s” profession

·	A perceived “glamorous” profession

·	The “are you putting me on?” factor

I cannot stress the importance of crafting your column - as well as your image - right from the beginning.

From concept to title to market, you need to present ONE theme. Be confident in your approach. The “I can write anything - what do you want?” approach DOES NOT WORK.

Writing a syndicated column is like getting a free advertisement, nationwide.

I could not help but notice that when I got press, I made more money. But how could I be assured of continuing to get press on a regular basis? By writing about myself, of course! And so I began writing a column called, “Ask Rat Dog” for our neighborhood newspaper, The Marina Times. After a year, I was lucky enough to be picked up by King Features.

“Ask Rat Dog” ran in

·	The Dallas Morning News

·	The Chicago Sun Times,

·	The San Jose Mercury News,

·	The Contra Costa Times

·	The Newport News

·	The Denver Post

among other discerning papers.

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?