Can I write articles if I'm not a specialist?

Question

I'm trying to start writing for magazines as a freelance. However, I've heard many times that having specilaist knowledge helps, and whenever I open a magazine I see a list of certified contributors-experts. Is it a very big problem if I'm not a specialist and haven't got any professional background? I do know quite a lot about health and fitness, but will I be able to sell an article being an ordinary member of public? i would be extremely grateful for any suggestions, it worries me a lot.

Answer 1

Not in "scientific" or other specialist magazines as they'll need to know you've got the necessary qualifications, but in general magazines (in newspapers and the like) you can contribute as an "ordinary member of the public". I've sold many articles in this way. The most important thing is to make sure your research is 100% solid. If you get an article published and it's subsequently pointed out that something was wrong in that article, you probably won't get another published - certainly not with that magazine or any it's affiliated to. Clearly the message is stick with what you really know.

Answer 2

You would be well advised to take an external university course in communication. Burwalls, at Bristol Uni used to do a very good course.

Specialist information is not necessary, but desirable, when writing an article. However it depends very much on what aspect of the subject you are commenting. There is also the question of the level at which you are writing.

A low level popular commentary, such as you find in the popular dailies, does not require any depth of knowledge. However, an article, aimed at exponents of a discipline, would.

There is a formula, which you can use, to arrive at an indication of the depth of your article, called the Fog Index. There is a related, but shorter calculation, which will provide a less accurate indication, called Fog Factor. Attention to either will ensure that the level of language, which you use is right for your target audience:

These fog indices and classifications, indicate the relationship between article depth and audience.

0-8 .......... Children's information

9-12 ........ Popular press, superficial information.

13-15 ......  low level technicians

15-18 ....... Higher level technicians

18+ .......... Graduates and higher

Most press articles run at 8-10. Specialist Mags seldom write at over 13.

Answer 3

You must be discerning. If you are to write about a topic, you should get the facts from the best experts in the field. Do your homework and have it reviewed by an expert.

Sadly, many articles miss important points. One author decided that he was going to write about soil and started with the assumption that it was nothing more than crushed rocks (of course is has organic matter, bacteria, and all sort of other living organisms).

As long as you have an open mind and do your homework, you should be able to write competent articles.

Answer 4

You shouldn't let the lack of any specialist qualifications put you off. These days, any one can sound off and no one seems to care if they are qualified to do so. We regularly have celebs making pronouncements on this and that subject and what they say is eagerly lapped up by the public. Look at YA! Any Tom, d**k and Harry can rattle off a reply and get it read by the whole world.

If you are really worried, just get some degree off the internet and you can put MD or PhD after your name. Maybe $200 will do the trick.

Answer 5

yh u can except it will be a lot harder but if you write an exetremely good article and take it to them then you should have no problem : )