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Home » Blogging

How I Got On The Huffington Post

Published: Feb 5, 2015 · Modified: Dec 7, 2015 by Jessica Dimas · This post may contain affiliate links · 34 Comments

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3 things I did to become a Huffington Post blog contributor
Hi and welcome to my little section of the Better Blogging blog tour! I'm going to be sharing my experience and shedding some light on how I became a Huffington Post blogger for those of you interested in doing the same. (Update: I've had numerous bloggers contact me to let me know they were accepted onto the Huffpo blogging team after following my advice)!

A few weeks ago I shared things I wish I'd known before being published on The Huffington Post, and today I'll share the process of how I submitted my first piece and how I wrote my submission email.

1. Where to submit

I personally learned (from an article that I can't find now, please leave the link below if you know which one I'm referring to!) that you can find the emails of editors in their Twitter profiles. I looked up the names of the HuffPost Parents editors and found a few on Twitter, compete with their emails right below their names! I picked one of them and emailed my pitch to her.

There's an awesome podcast interview with Senior Editor Emma Mustich from HuffPost Parents on Beyond Your Blog. On there, she basically says they receive submissions from various places and even on social media platforms. I recommend listening to this podcast because it's full of super useful info. Emma says in the interview that the preferred email for receiving submissions for the parenting section is parents@huffingtonpost.com

2. Formatting the email

In my subject line, I put the title of my post: What If We Didn't Sexually Shame Our Daughters. I couldn't think of a better subject title and I thought that might get their attention.

Inside my email, I basically wrote something like this:

Dear Editor,

I wrote an article on my blog that I think would be a great fit for your site. It's about the sexual shaming of girls and it's effect on their lives. Here is an excerpt:

"Our culture sends very conflicting messages to girls. They are pure until they aren't. They are so much more than what their bodies offer, but they aren't. Their bodies aren't good enough, but they cause men to fall. It's okay to look sexy but not to actually have sex. What we tell our daughters about sexuality, and more importantly how we make them feel about it, will stay with them their entire lives."

Thank you so much for taking the time to consider my post, I hope to hear back from you soon.

Sincerely,
Jessica Dimas

- Profile photo
- Link to original article
- Article copied and pasted in full

I wasn't sure how much they would need, but I wanted to make sure they had everything so they wouldn't have to do a bunch of clicking around or back and forth emailing. And if you noticed, I kept my pitch short and sweet. I didn't want to overwhelm them with lots of writing and this way they could get the gist of my article quickly and then read further if they were interested.

3. The Wait

The wait time on hearing back from them varies, as anyone could assume. In this particular instance, I heard back within twelve hours. I sent it probably around 10PM and when I woke up at 7AM there was an email. The first time I submitted a piece to them, I never heard back. My advice is to just keep trying until they respond! I would go as far as to say expect an email back from them! Get excited, know it's going to happen, and put that energy out there!

You have nothing to lose!

Make sure to continue on to one of these amazing blogs for more blogging tips and tricks:

  • 7 Twitter Tips to Increase Your Following and Grow Your Brand
  • 5 Tips to Keep Your Facebook Page Alive
  • 10 Tips to Using Instagram More Effectively
  • 8 Must Know Pinterest Tips For Bloggers
  • My Favorite Vlogging Tips and Tricks
  • What to Know When Switching from Blogger to WordPress
  • Blogging With A Partner 101
« 10 Mommy Items I Can't Live Without
6 Benefits of Alone Time »

About Jessica Dimas

Jessica is the author of the book "Sacred Self-Care for the Highly Sensitive Mom". She is a Huffington Post contributor and has been featured on sites such as Scary Mommy, FamilyShare, and BlogHer. She has a BA degree in psychology and lives in NC with her husband and two sons.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jen

    February 04, 2015 at 11:42 pm

    I love this! Thank you for all the blogging tips. You have been inspiring me to get my blog started. It is something I have been thinking/talking about for almost two years. Motherhood and fear have basically stopped me in my tracks. So, one day, soon I will get it going. Until then, I will keep reading your tips so I can be ready when I decide to get it out there.

    Reply
    • Jessica Dimas

      February 20, 2015 at 12:06 am

      Yayyy, I'm so happy to have inspired you! And you totally should, blogging is actually so fun and addicting...nothing scary about it. Let me know if and when you start your blog 🙂

      Reply
  2. Chelsea

    February 05, 2015 at 6:16 am

    Reply
  3. Jen

    February 05, 2015 at 1:42 pm

    I love this! Thank you for all the blogging tips. You have been inspiring me to get my blog started. It is something I have been thinking/talking about for almost two years. Motherhood and fear have basically stopped me in my tracks. So, one day, soon I will get it going. Until then, I will keep reading your tips so I can be ready when I decide to get it out there.

    Reply
  4. Meg O.

    February 05, 2015 at 7:24 am

    Reply
  5. Tawnya

    February 05, 2015 at 7:34 am

    So awesome!! I am working on a few posts (you know those misfit ones that I just can't get right haha) that I want to submit to them! Thank you for these tips! You're freaking awesome and thank you for collaborating with me on this blog tour!! Xoxo

    Reply
  6. normaleverydaylifebl

    February 05, 2015 at 9:02 am

    Reply
  7. workingmommagic

    February 05, 2015 at 9:08 am

    Reply
  8. workingmommagic

    February 05, 2015 at 4:08 pm

    I loved that podcast by them as well.. I am obsessed with getting onto HuffPo... I am going to send them more stuff. (since I am sure they love stalkers!!) ha!
    My recent post Don't Forget Your Husband on Valentine's Day!

    Reply
  9. tamaralikecamera

    February 07, 2015 at 3:12 am

    It was fun to read that! I've never tried, ya know? I usually write so much about such specific to my life things, that I wonder if I'll ever write something more global.
    I imagine I will, and I could, and you're inspiring me.

    Reply
    • Jessica Dimas

      February 20, 2015 at 12:08 am

      Oh Tamara...you could FO' SHO' be on something more global. Even if it's specific to your life, just because you have such a way with words and of capturing universal feelings and experiences that so many of us have. You should definitely submit your work!

      Reply
  10. themomcafe

    February 07, 2015 at 3:29 pm

    That is wonderful that you emailed them and they responded so timely and LOOK at YOU on Huffpost! I JUST got invited to their blogging community, and I am so so excited and honored. It's truly a dream come true!
    My recent post Devotional Diary: Dear Lord…I’m Ready

    Reply
    • Jessica Dimas

      February 20, 2015 at 12:09 am

      Congrats!!!!!!!! Isn't it so exciting? Totally a dream come true here as well.

      Reply
  11. Jaime Buckley

    February 09, 2015 at 4:07 am

    Jessica, thank you so much for sharing this with us. Truly.

    I've been wondering how a person goes about submitting to and getting accepted by the Huffington Post. There are many writers that I respect and admire, being accepted, so having this example available gives me hope.

    Now if they'll have an interest in a dad of 12 instead of delightful mommies...(crosses fingers).

    Thank you again =)

    Reply
  12. emmymom2

    February 09, 2015 at 8:34 am

    Thank you for the tips! I had no idea how people went out about.

    Reply
  13. Jessica

    February 09, 2015 at 12:52 pm

    No problem!! Yeah I think more people would try if they knew how easy it was 🙂

    Reply
  14. Heather

    February 10, 2015 at 1:49 am

    Good to know. I thought they only accepted original work and didn't republish.
    My recent post So What is the Superbowl REALLY Like?

    Reply
    • Jessica

      February 11, 2015 at 3:55 am

      Oh no, they republish a lot 🙂 

      Reply
  15. Jessica

    February 11, 2015 at 4:18 am

    Ohhh I think they would DEFINITELY be interested in a dad of 12! The process is much easier than people think, I'm sure if you started submitting pieces regularly, you'd be on there in no time!

    Reply
    • Jaime Buckley

      February 11, 2015 at 4:37 am

      Really? Dang. Okay, I'm going top put on my thinking cap and start prepping then =)

      ...and they might consider articles already written? Or do they all have to be original pieces?

      Reply
      • Jessica

        February 11, 2015 at 4:48 am

        Either!! So far I've only submitted pieces that have done well on my own blog and they republished them! Just always make sure at the bottom of your posts (once you get accepted and are in the Huffington account area) to link back to your own blog at the end of the post so that Google credits you. 

        Reply
        • Jaime Buckley

          February 11, 2015 at 4:56 am

          Don't laugh at me here, Jessica, but I...I don't know--you ladies have such a 'professional' and 'even' way of writing...and I don't. I'm either stuffy---like in my freelance days...or crazy, like my books and blogs.

          You've been to my blog, haven't you? I'm not what you'd call a 'traditional' blogger...hehe.

          Maybe I need to read more on their site--I just haven't seen anyone write with my 'off-center' kind of personality (smirk).
          My recent post 5 Compelling Reasons Why You Were Born

          Reply
  16. Amanda

    February 12, 2015 at 11:14 am

    Wow! Thanks for sharing the body of the email you sent in. That's so helpful to know how you formatted your information. I don't think I'm ready to try to submit to HuffPo but someday this might be handy. Pinned it to my Grand Blog Tips board!

    Reply
  17. Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom

    February 12, 2015 at 2:26 pm

    I loved the tips you shared in this post Jessica and your tips really helped me get published.

    Actually, I recently had a blogger contact me for information on how to get published on HuffPo and I directed her to this post because I did pretty much everything you said. A few days later that blogger emailed me to let me know her post was accepted. Look - you're already helping people!

    Thanks for sharing and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop.

    Wishing you a lovely day.
    xoxo

    Reply
  18. Heaven Smiling

    February 13, 2015 at 12:18 pm

    Thank you for the tips! I found you through the Shine Blog Hop. Pinned and following!
    My recent post Make It and Break It February

    Reply
  19. Donna @ Soul Survival

    February 19, 2015 at 7:58 am

    Jessica, such great tips! I wrote for Christian print magazines for a long time as a freelancer. One thing you said that was true then and now is "keep trying." Sometimes a piece just isn't what an editor is looking for at that time, so don't get discouraged if it doesn't happen the first time. Your post was extremely helpful as I try to navigate this new electronic writing world. Blessings!

    Reply
    • Jessica Dimas

      February 20, 2015 at 12:15 am

      Such great advice Donna! I'm honored that you commented on my blog, I've always wanted to write for magazines! It's nice to hear experienced writers say to keep trying even if an editor turns you down. I'm also glad that my post could help, I could see how things have probably really changed in the writing world due to all of the new technology. Hope you have a great weekend!

      Reply
  20. Jasbir | beeraycoffeethoughts

    February 20, 2015 at 9:29 am

    thanks. Guess i have to keep on writing more emails

    Reply
    • Jessica Dimas

      February 20, 2015 at 3:42 pm

      Keep writing them, you'll hit the jackpot eventually!

      Reply
  21. Maria

    March 03, 2015 at 11:11 am

    WOW love this post, so helpful and inspiring and I am planning to be a regular on your blog getting more tips! Wanted to also mention that the title of the post you submitted to Huffington Post is very interesting enticing and would catch attention quickly. Maybe that is a topic of another brand new post:)

    Best,
    Maria

    Reply
    • Jessica Dimas

      March 03, 2015 at 12:12 pm

      Thank you so much Maria, I'm glad you found this post helpful and I think that is a great topic to write about, thank you for the idea!

      Reply
  22. Erin | It All Matters Mom

    March 04, 2015 at 8:23 pm

    So I had emailed you a while back and told you the HuffPost had contacted ME about running one of my articles. I was thrilled! And then several days later, they said they weren't going to run it and didn't give a reason . (Womp womp.) I didn't let it get me down though. I just submitted a post for the first time to them today. Worth a shot! Thanks for the tips and inspiration! Keep up the great work!

    Reply
    • Jessica Dimas

      March 06, 2015 at 1:46 pm

      I have heard that happen so often Erin!!! Good for you though on not taking it personal and I can't wait to see you on HuffPo, cause I know you'll be there soon!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Things I Wish I'd Known Before Being Published on Huffington says:
    November 15, 2015 at 1:03 am

    […] specific questions, please ask in the comments below and I will try to help you out! Also read my 3 tips for getting onto the Huffington Post, several bloggers have contacted me to let me know they were accepted after following the same […]

    Reply

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