Thirty-Minute Markets

Between jobs, family and life in general, it can be difficult to both find new markets for our writing, and the time to write. As a mother of three, who works two part-time jobs, writes weekly columns and publishes her own writing newsletter, I feel your pain.

I have also worked out my own “Thirty-Minute Markets” plan to submit and earn more despite my constant time crunch.

One month when our two cars broke down, and the temperature stayed 30 degrees below zero for weeks (the heating bills, oy), I felt the pressure to bring in some cash quickly. I began brainstorming for solutions when I remembered an online newsletter that had accepted one of my food articles, published it and paid me, all within one week’s time.

Scanning my recipes, I found a fast, healthy meal for families, wrote up how I developed the recipe and sent it in. A friend had e-mailed me about another website that needed stories about writing. I dashed off another article about starting my newsletter. I then visited a forum on a writers site that listed calls for submissions. Back to my laptop, armed with possible markets, I wrote out an article on unusual ways to find new writing markets and one with home-made facial recipes.

In less than two hours, I uncovered the markets, and wrote and submitted four new articles. All were eventually accepted; I was quickly paid $105 for two hours of work.

How did I do it? The markets I chose needed articles on topics that I either specialize in or know well.

How did I know my work would get accepted? I didn’t, but I did felt confident based on over ten years experience researching and writing articles. I provide clean copy and have a list of published credits that help get me noticed, especially at smaller periodicals.

Last question: where did I find these markets? I network with other writers, editors and publishers online, sharing advice and gratefully accepting tips on new paying markets.

Looking to build your writing credits and bank account, despite your other commitments? Compile your own list of markets that you can write for in thirty minutes and you’ll find that within a month or two, you’ll have added ten published articles to you credit.

This is one time you might want to stick to writing about what you already know. Think about your hobbies, interests, and writing niche. Toss in the things your friends and family know after all a five minute phone interview is still easy research for a piece and you’ll have the topics to look for in a thirty-minute market.

Other advantages to finding and selling to thirty -minute markets:

• You won’t feel abused by the low pay, usually $10 to $50, if you are writing on a topic you know intimately, and can produce a quality piece in a half hour.
• Many are online and publish, and pay, quickly. It’s fun to submit an article on healthy eating and have it appear on a website within 72 hours, or arrive in your e-mail box as part of a newsletter, within one short week.
• It’s easy to find these markets by searching online, and by  keeping up-to-date on messages posted to your online writing groups.
• Experienced writers often pass over the lower paying markets which gives writers with even a little expertise a better chance at having their work accepted.

Keep updating your list of the thirty-minute markets you find. If you find a travel writer newsletter that pays $30 for 500 words, only add that to you list if you can quickly write an article from your personal knowledge, or with minimal research. Add any market that might take articles from your area of expertise. For me it’s writing, food, home and garden, parenting, and country living. Find your own areas of expertise and start digging for thirty minute markets to fatten your bank account and round out your writing credits.

Pamela White is editor of “Food Writing” (http://www.food-writing.com) and the marketing/promotions director for FUTURES MYSTERIOUS ANTHOLOGY MAGAZINE (www.fmam.biz).