by Dr Rahim Said
Congratulations on deciding to venture into the world of column writing for digital platforms.
As someone who has conducted workshops for aspiring contributors, I understand the excitement and challenges that come with this endeavour.
While many express interest, only a fraction persist in consistently contributing articles.
However, for those keen on starting but unsure how to proceed, I’ve compiled essential advice to kickstart your journey into column writing.
1. Define Your Niche: Select a specific area of interest that you’re passionate about and knowledgeable in. This focus will help you develop a unique voice and attract a dedicated audience.
I started out on a news platform by commenting on daily stories that ended up as op-eds. At the same time I wrote about food because I enjoy eating out. Eventually my writing focused on politics as a form of expression over my disappointment with politicians in the country and around the world. What started as a hobby now becomes an obsession leading me to write af least two columns a day often about politicians and their misbehaviour.
On the other hand, where culinary writing is concerned, my musing about food has turned into critical evaluation of what I eat at restaurants and cafes to the point where it every opinio is actually an outright open criticism of the chefs and management of the eatries I frequent. So, if I were to define my niche it would have to be politics and culinary arts.
2. Know Your Audience: Tailor your content to resonate with your target audience by understanding their interests, preferences, and concerns. Building a connection with your readers is crucial for fostering a loyal following.
3. Start Strong with a Hook: Capture readers’ attention from the outset with an engaging hook, whether it’s a thought-provoking question, anecdote, or statistic.
4. Be Clear and Concise: Keep your writing clear, concise, and free of unnecessary jargon. Given the brevity of columns, every word should serve a purpose.
5. Develop a Consistent Voice: Establish a unique writing voice that remains consistent across your columns, helping to build your brand and audience recognition.
6. Use Storytelling: Enhance reader engagement by incorporating storytelling elements such as personal anecdotes and real-life examples.
7. Research Thoroughly: Strengthen your arguments with credible research and data, bolstering your column’s credibility.
8. Embrace Opinions, Stay Balanced: While expressing opinions, ensure they’re supported by sound reasoning, and maintain respect for differing viewpoints.
9. Edit and Revise: Take time to revise and polish your work, checking for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. ChatGPT can be a helpful tool for this task.
10. Craft Compelling Headlines: Grab readers’ attention with captivating headlines that accurately reflect your column’s content.
11. Engage with Your Readers: Foster a sense of community by encouraging reader feedback and actively participating in discussions.
12. Be Consistent: Stick to a regular publishing schedule to build audience trust and expectation.
13. Stay Open to Learning: Continuously seek feedback, learn from others, and strive to improve your writing skills.
14. Be Patient and Persistent: Building a readership takes time, so remain patient and persistent in your efforts.
15. Enjoy the Journey. Above all, enjoy the writing process and let your passion shine through.
Best of luck on your column-writing journey!
WE