In the last few weeks, I have been receiving quite a few inquiries about how I started blogging for the Huffington Post. The short answer? It was a combination of daily work and luck. Here are my tips for those of you who are interested in getting your writing out on the big stage:
1) Read the Huffington Post. Daily. You don’t have to read the entire site, just focus on the sections which are of interest to you and are similar in topic to your writing. You won’t know what they are looking for if you are not familiar with the material on the site. I find that it is easiest to subscribe to my sections of interest in my RSS reader so that I get a notification when a new article is posted. That becomes especially important with tip #2.
2) Comment on articles and blogs. Take the time to craft well thought out responses that add to the post or provide an alternate view in a respectable tone. The best comments provide some information while hinting that you have more to say on the topic at hand. Leave them wanting more. You can link to your blog or your other writings on the topic. This is where the work comes in; I spend thirty minutes or so a day reading and commenting on appropriate articles.
3) In the meantime, work to create a body of writing if you have not already. This shows your writing style as well as demonstrates that you have a unique view or story to share.
4) Keep this up for a while and you may get lucky and have an editor contact you with a blog idea. If this doesn’t happen, then proceed to #5.
5) On the “Contact Us” link on Huffington Post you will find a link to submit a pitch for a blog. They give you the option of submitting the full text or just a description of your blog idea. I have not gone this route, but I would recommend submitting the entire post so that your ability to craft a quality product is not in question. Also, write about an area where you are passionate; it will show in your writing and will pull others in.
I wish everyone the best on their writing, whether you keep a private journal, a public blog, or are working to become a published author.
You can find my Huffington Post submissions here. My book is available on Amazon and you can read about my experiences with publishing here and here.
Huffington Post also led to my appearance on The Jeff Probst Show!
Lessons From the End of a Marriage 
I am always impressed with those who are willing to share the “nuts and bolts” about how to do something. So much of what you get on the internet is teaser. Thank you for taking the time and energy to compose this post. On behalf of all who requested and all who will benefit…I thank you.
Be encouraged!
Thank you for the helpful and insightful tips!
As an established writer already, I found your tips great and inspiring for budding writers. I write for Technorati, Examiner and soon YAHOO, but was curious about Huff Post, too. I have about a dozen
blogs of my own, one that gets pick up by IMDB on entertainment news weekly.
I also moderated a private group on linkedin.com that also helps budding PR pros learn “How to” stuff in the industry. thanks for sharing your well written article. Geo.
Thanks! I’ve just stumbled into this but it seems to be going well so I thought I would share what I have learned along the way.
Thank you for this information. I also do want to put my words on huff post. Please help me.
Hi! Nice to “meet” you!
You as well. Hope to “see” you again 🙂
Great post and a big thank you for sharing. I’m with you on sharing and trying to help other authors, etc. Very glad to connect with you. Happy New Year. Paulette
Glad we connected too:)
I think authors really need to hep each other, especially in this ever-changing world of publishing and marketing. The “rules” no longer apply and we are in uncharted territory.
I’m completely with you on that! And, you are so right about uncharted territory. Feel free to connect with me personally if you feel I might be able to help you with your book. I’ve been very lucky with mine and am more than happy to pay it forward.
I’d love to chat with you further:) I looked and couldn’t find your contact info. I can be reached at lessonsfromendofmarriage@gmail.com.Thanks!
I’m sorry. Just e-mailed you back. 🙂
I’m so grateful to anyone who is generous and willing to pull back the curtain! Thank you so much for such helpful advice and Happy New Year!
Very nice advice. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much for sharing these tips!
You’re welcome! I figured I would share what I stumbled upon:)
Great blog, thanks for all the useful tips.
Thanks for the tips!
Thanks posting this Robin. Ive been considering branching out into other areas with my writing. This might be a good place to start.
I love how “old” blog posts can stay so fresh. Thanks for stumbling upon my blog LIsa, since this allowed me to encounter you – your astonishing story, your lucid, helpful writing and well – who knows! Much appreciated! Hey – and congratulations on the upcoming wedding.
Thank you:)
My partner and I stumbled over here coming from a different website and thought I may as well check things out.
I like what I see so i am just following you.
Look forward to exploring your web page for a second time.
Thanks a lot for this.
I am following the steps you have mentioned. Hoping soon be there as blogger 🙂
Good luck:)
Thank you for your post! How long did it take HuffPo to get back to you after you submitted your blog?
They usually don’t respond to me unless there is a change needed. The posts have gone live in anywhere from 3-10 days. I assume this is based upon their backlog and the topics of the other pieces in the queue.
I don’t think I have anything to say to the Huffington Post, but this sounds like really great advice!
Excellent advice that applies to seasoned writers as well as those just starting out — which is usually the sign of wisdom in general. Nicely done 🙂
Thanks for the info. Quick question though – many people keep saying (including HuffPost) that you can submit a full blog via the Pitch function, but there is a1000 character (only 150 words!) limit. I’m confused – is there actually a way to submit a full 700-800 word blog?
Sorry, can’t help you there. I never actually used that form. Is there a way you can send an attachment or link?
Thanks for your quick reply. There doesn’t seem to be a way to attach or link to anything – 1000 characters is all. I’ll just have to switch my frame from writing the perfect post crafting the perfect pitch. 🙂 Thanks again!
Good luck!:)
I was wondering the same thing re: the 1000 word character. WIll ahve to do the same! Thanks for this article.
Thanks for this post, it’s very helpful!
Nice Site, Stick to the wonderful work. Thank you!
I am not sure that your tips are the reason Huffington has you blogging for them. You have quite an amazing story, that is widely of human interest. And you write very well ! I have just read a couple of your blogs. Good luck !
I’m sure my crazy story has helped me gain attention since it is a pretty good hook. And, yes, you have to be able to write in order to be published in HuffPo. However, one of the beautiful things about media today is that anyone can write and find an audience. Pretty cool, especially when they have something interesting to say:)
Thanks!
This is an awesome piece, and as a result I will be brave and send them some of my stuff! Your writing is fabulous, am very honored about the follow. Thank you, ma’am! 🙂
Go for it! It’s fun to write for such a big audience. Just be forewarned, the comments there can get pretty harsh. Don’t take them seriously…I think some people view putting down HuffPo writes as their calling:)
Best of luck!
Thanks for the heads up – I’m new to blogging, and sometimes have to hold the ipad at an arm’s length and read the comments with one eye shut. They scare the hell out of me, those people. All par for the course, I guess… 🙂
Great image and I totally understand! It’s a scary and vulnerable feeling putting your writing and you life out there. It’s hard at first, but really does help you learn to not take things so personally. When someone responds to 1000 words with such anger or bitterness, it’s obvious that it triggered them in some way. The anger may seem to be directed at you, but it’s really at something/someone in their past. That perspective helped me distance from the the negativity and even learn to like it – it means I’m making people think and feel and, on a selfish note, it gives me great idead for future posts.
Wise, counsel, wow. I’m totally going to cut and paste this and read it when I next get lambasted. You just can’t be real and safe at the same time. As someone super-sensitive, this is probably going to be my biggest challenge. But even dealing with the real people in your life can be tricky. My husband was horrified by my post about marriage feeling crap. Even though none of it could have been a surprise to him, I think seeing it in black and white can be difficult. Anyhow, let me check out those Huff Post folk, and have a look at what they publish. And what else you’ve done! Have an awesome weekend!
Ya. This was awesome. Thanks for putting it out there. Soon to be launching my self-achievement blog and finishing my first book and your advice here seems golden for helping to get noticed. I’ll keep you posted as to how it goes!
Good luck and definitely keep me posted!:)
Fantastic post. I found it really helpful for those of us who are new to blogging. Thanks so much for sharing your expertise.
Since I have been more open to sharing my insight, life lessons, experiences and stories on a platform as Huffingpost, I have considered becoming a contributor for the platform. Your post has given me a great insight on how to make the next step! I am truly grateful 🙂
Xx
Carey
Yippee! It’s a pretty cool thing to be able to share your writing. I wish you the best!!!:)
Hi there! So glad to have found your site. Having my work published on HuffPo is one of my many writing goals for 2014 (& beyond). Thank you for this very straight-forward and common sense suggestion.
Happy New Year!
Sherisa
Awesome! Thanks for stopping by and best of luck with your writing:)
Lisa
This is so sensible…I love writing about health, but still not able to draw a road map on how to develop it…Thank you so much for your inputs..will try for sure.
Thank you once again!
Thank you for taking the time to help other bloggers by writing this step by step post. The information you provided can be used as a guide to get into any other publication. I wish you an abundance of success in 2014 and beyond.
Thank you for this! Once you are accepted as a blogger, how long did it take for your submitted posts to be published?
Anywhere from an hour to a week. It’s a guessing game:)
Thank you so much! I have really enjoyed your writing and thanks for being so open about the process. I’m new to blogging as well-does huffpo tell you if they are not going to publish your article once you are accepted as a blogger? Or is it just ignored 🙂
They do tell you via email. But, as to when…. 🙂
Ok thank you! Maybe I just need to learn a lesson in patience 🙂
very sequentially explained the process.It is very encouraging for the newbie writers. Thanks a lot!
Best of luck to you!
Thank you for sharing this post with me I find it very helpful as I’m a new blogger in the field and I want to penetrate and rule in the blogging business and make the best of it. I would just have to give myself time to read and comment to all your posts which interest me for me to get more knowledge and see how other bloggers do to become a success. Thank you
Reblogged this on sociallybugged and commented:
Thanks for the advice 🙂
Good luck:)
Thanks for this! Hopefully, I could one day write for the Huff!
Thanks for what you doing, it’s great and i am trying to writing some about cougar dating on Huff! it really helps me a lot
Thanks for sharing your insight. I’ve tried the Contact Us, Leave a Pitch route and never, ever have luck. You mentioned that you didn’t grow that route, was it a connection with an editor that helped you? Do you have any tips along those lines? Thank you again for sharing so generously.
HuffPo has changed over the years, but I would still suggest trying a “back door” method. Try engaging with the editors on Twitter!
old article but still relevant i think. I am hoping to get something published soon.
Good luck to you!
Great Advice for a newbie blogger mom.
Thanx for the tips!! Can you point me in the right direction re a template for pitching an article to an editor? I have no idea where to begin…
I’m not aware of any template. I would suggest interacting on Twitter with the content and the editors as that seems to get more traffic these days than the comment sections.
Thanks for your insight and willingness to share. I love it when writers help writers.
Me too:) Great stuff happens when we work together!
I also think, we need to spend much time working on our own craft, so that when the opportunity strikes, there is no chance of being rejected