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!
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Jen
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.
Jessica Dimas
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 🙂
Chelsea
Jen
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.
Meg O.
Tawnya
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
normaleverydaylifebl
workingmommagic
workingmommagic
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!
tamaralikecamera
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.
Jessica Dimas
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!
themomcafe
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
Jessica Dimas
Congrats!!!!!!!! Isn't it so exciting? Totally a dream come true here as well.
Jaime Buckley
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 =)
emmymom2
Thank you for the tips! I had no idea how people went out about.
Jessica
No problem!! Yeah I think more people would try if they knew how easy it was 🙂
Heather
Good to know. I thought they only accepted original work and didn't republish.
My recent post So What is the Superbowl REALLY Like?
Jessica
Oh no, they republish a lot 🙂
Jessica
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!
Jaime Buckley
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?
Jessica
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.
Jaime Buckley
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
Amanda
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!
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom
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
Heaven Smiling
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
Donna @ Soul Survival
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!
Jessica Dimas
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!
Jasbir | beeraycoffeethoughts
thanks. Guess i have to keep on writing more emails
Jessica Dimas
Keep writing them, you'll hit the jackpot eventually!
Maria
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
Jessica Dimas
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!
Erin | It All Matters Mom
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!
Jessica Dimas
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!