Pitch This Large Publication (They Pay)

Having your written, audio, and video content published on large publications can help you build a large email list, sell books/products, get new coaching clients, get paid to write, book paid speaking gigs, and get corporate consulting offers organically.

One publication that can help you accomplish all of these goals is AskMen. Their publication gets 14 million unique monthly visitors, and they pay $150 per article (600-1,000 word range).

They will let you contribute articles once-a-week, which puts an easy $600 in your pocket each month. This, in addition to giving you all the other benefits of large publication contribution.

I had a graduate get a consulting offer from Harley Davidson to train on personal development. They first found her on AskMen.

To get into Askmen, send a pitch using this format:

1. The subject line should come from content on AskMen. Most subject lines are boring and follow the same format: "RE: Becoming a contributor," "I'd like to contribute," and so on. These emails get ignored because they don't show you've put in any effort, and the publication is not interested in what YOU want. It has to make sense for them.

Your subject line should show that you've done your research, and create curiosity. An example of a good subject line would be: "You saved Father's Day!"

I took that from an article on their homepage. It's relevant to their main message (men) and it comes from their content. It will also create curiosity because it will stand out from every other subject line in their inbox. I've heard from seven editors that they always click on the subject lines that make them curious.

2. The first paragraph should expand on the subject line and talk about how you were specifically impacted. Again, this is to show that you've done your homework and are not a lazy contributor. They want hungry contributors that aren't afraid to put in the work.

It can't be flimsy like, "I like your content, it's so inspiring. I would like to inspire people through your platform". Big NO. Here's what it would look like:

"I have to say, your article on '21 Last-Minute Father's Day Gift Ideas' just saved my Father's Day. I'm totally a last minute shopper and I'm always scrambling to get a good gift at the last minute. Now, I can plan a little ahead of time and have so many amazing options.

I especially liked the 'Trunk Club' idea. My father needs lots of help with style and he doesn't listen to his boy. Having a personal stylist guide him will make all the difference. I know he'll listen and my mom won't have to be embarrassed on dates anymore, LOL."

You see how this shows that I've actually done my homework? It's also an interesting read for an editor.

3. The second paragraph is to show your social proof. Throw in anything that shows you're an expert on what you do. For example:

"My name is Kimanzi Constable. I'm the CEO of Results Digital Media Marketing Corporation. I'm the author of four books that have sold over 150,000 copies.

I'm a contributor to 14 of the world's largest business publications. You can see my articles in The Huffington Post, Entrepreneur Magazine, SUCCESS Magazine, Mind Body Green, Fox News, The Good Men Project, Yahoo, NBC News, Time Magazine, Business Insider, Addicted 2 Success, CBS News, and over 60 blogs.

I've have been interviewed on over 250 podcasts. Including large shows like Smart Passive Income, Entrepreneur on Fire, and world-class copywriter Ray Edwards’ show, and more.

I'm a speaker that has spoken at events in 23 countries. I'm a digital marketing consultant that has done consulting at companies in 77 countries. I have consulted for large multinational corporations such as Naspers (Africa), Morgan Stanley, Unilever, Dentsu, and more."

Show them why you would be an asset to their publication.

4. Have links to your work online. Link to podcast interviews, articles published, your book, or anything that shows your work. BUT, don't have more than six links. It gets to be too much after that.

5. End the email with five-pitch ideas. Pitch ideas are potential articles that you could write for a publication. You're not writing the full article(s).

You come up with a headline and a paragraph that explains what the article would be about. For AskMen, it's any content relevant to men specifically. Women CAN and do write for AskMen. You can write about ANY topic for AskMen as long as it relates back to men. Have brand keywords in the titles: men, boys, guys, etc. For example:

"3 Reasons Beautiful Women Date and Marry Less Attractive Men

You've seen it before and it is the most puzzling of all sites. A smoking hot Heidi Klum look-alike is hanging on the arm of a guy that could pass for Quasimodo. How do these below average looking guys end up with these gorgeous girls?

This is hard for men to understand, in great part, because we assume women think like men. If we could dare step into the mind and emotions of the female we might discover that her priorities are different. Her desire for love, conversation, and relationship surpasses her desire for the most attractive man in the room. How then do we use this insight to genuinely become the kind of person that attracts the kind of girl we want?

In this article, we will tackle this very difficult subject and delve into the mind of this most complex of all creatures. We will also equip the reader with practical application and, as a result, he will be forever in the debt of AskMen.

3 Tips Every Guy Needs to Build a Business That Gives Him True Freedom

Every man has to earn a living somehow. That living could be earned spending 40+ hours doing something he hates, or it could be spent living out his dream. This article will show men how what they do for "work" affects every area of their life and give them tips to build an awesome business.

It will show men that we live in a time in which they can build a business around something they're passionate about. They can use the power of the Internet to create a freedom-based business that allows them to live life on their own terms."

These are a few examples. You want to include five-pitch ideas at the end of the email. Make them interesting on all kinds of topics. Make them work for your core message.

6. End with your name. NO signature line stuff and no attachments. They will get sent to spam. You don't need to include a picture for any of your pitch ideas.

That's how you put together a killer pitch. Send that pitch to the current managing editor: Kaitlyn McInnis at kaitlyn_mcinnis(at)askmen .com. Anouare was the managing editor but she's no longer at AskMen. Ziff Davis is the company that owns AskMen.

AskMen is a great publication and they pay. Start here and then go after all the other major publications. They will help your business grow!