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Citizen journalism and the opportunities offered to freelance writers

by Stan Grimes

Created on: May 02, 2008   Last Updated: July 06, 2008

Everyday citizens often want to speak out to the world. That's right, many wannabe writers live right next door to you, or maybe it's you. Maybe you want to tell those so-and-so's in Washington D.C. what you really think of them. Or, just maybe you would like to write a letter to the CEO of some "evil empire" corporation. Lastly, maybe you just want your voice to be heard by anyone willing to listen.



This is your lucky day my friend. It just so happens many forums are available in which your words can be heard. Believe it or not, a regular day-to-day citizen such as yourself can be heard. We are fortunate today to have the Internet. On this great artery of universal communication there are blogging websites, ezines (electronic magazines), and electronic news medias. If you're reading this article, you have reached one of the many outlets available for persons wanting to express their opinions to others. How do you find such resources?

Easy. It's as simple as using your favorite search engine and typing in key words. For example, you could type in "blog" and find a trillion blog sites, or type in ezines. Again, you will find a cazillion sites. Some of these sites are popular among young folks, middle-aged folks, and of course there are those wretched baby boomers. You will need to read the content of these sites, which interest you to see if it matches your interest. Finally, read the "about" page to determine if they accept novice or experienced writers. One warning. Be aware that you may not make money on your articles at first. If you're a decent writer, you will build a readership and when that happens, the world is yours.

The secret to having your article considered for publication on some of these well-established sites is self-control. Most ezines and enews sites require you to clean up your vulgarities, tone down your hatred, and present your case within guidelines set forth by the publisher. In other words, don't use language you normally use in the break room at your job. Another secret is proofreading. Write your tirade or informative article and check it for grammatical and spelling errors. Also, make sure it makes sense. In other words, try to read your production through objective eyes (hard to do sometimes).

Another suggestion, try to find a medium that fits your interest. If you're a left wing radical looking to crush the conservatives' viewpoint, find an ezine with similar views. In the same vein, if you're an ultra conservative, find a site with your interests.

Blogging is a relatively new phenomenon. If you haven't been living in a cave for the past couple of years, you'll know that often opinions expressed on various blog sites have been read on national television networks such as CNN, CBS, and others. Actually, bloggers (the individual writing the blog) have been guests or guest reporters on various nationwide networks.

So, Mr. or Mrs. Every-Day Citizen, there is an audience just waiting for your political crusade. I would be remiss too if I did not mention your local newspaper. Often newspapers have an open forum for citizens to express their views (even anonymously if you choose. My advice my disenchanted writing friends, get out there and tell the world how satisfied or dissatisfied you are with what's going down in the streets of life.

Learn more about this author, Stan Grimes.
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