I have been writing for newspapers and publications for over 25 years, and I still get excited whenever I see my byline.

Do you want to experience that feeling of pride and sense of acomplishment writers get when they are published? Do you want to see your byline in publications across the globe?

If you are still reading this, then this essay is for you.

The five-step roadmap to seeing your name in print

When it comes to getting published, the good news is that you don't even need a degree or vast experience. All you need is love for the craft, determination, and commitment.

Here is the five-step plan that I have developed during my two decades of pitching and publishing.

Step 1: Define your niche

Have you heard of the phrase riches are in the niches? You need to know what your specialty is in order to market yourself to the right person. If you don't know your niche yet, think about your interests and expertise and try to come up with topics that excite you the most.

Step 2: Build a portfolio:

Gather your published work in one place. It can be your personal website, your Medium page, Substack page, or a social blog like Typeshare. You will need to showcase this in your pitch letter.

Step 3: Find the relevant contact

Don't waste your time browsing through classifieds to find a writing gig. Think of a publication you would like to write for, find the relevant contact person who works there (Linkedin is an excellent place for that), and pitch to them an idea in line with what they publish.

Step 4: Craft the perfect pitch

Make sure you have a standard pitch template that you can customize for every different publication. Include a solid story idea with potential sources in your pitch.

Step 5: Rebound and keep pitching

You will fail and get rejected. Editors will pass on your pitches, your stories might get killed, and you might get angry Emails from readers. Lick your wounds, swallow your pride and keep pitching.

Do you have any other tips for getting published? Share them in the comments below.