1. Make sure your stories are current and newsworthy. The first thing you need to do is make sure that the story you are about to write is something your readers are happy to spend their time on. Your stories must be current, interesting, entertaining and have a direct impact on the lives of your readers.
2. Offer complete information. Since your role as a journalist is to keep your readers informed, you need to make sure that you give them all the information they need to understand the story you’re covering. Do extensive research and interview as many people as possible to get all sides of the story. Make sure you leave no stone unturned.
3. Stick to the facts. While resorting to outright lies or sensationalism in your stories will initially grab the attention of your target audience, this is not good for your reputation. If you want your readers to believe and trust you, you must offer nothing more than facts, nothing more, nothing less.
4. Be brief. Your audience is usually pressed for time, so don’t even try to make your articles unnecessarily long. Just get straight to the point and tell your readers what they need to know without using fillers or fluff. Also, learn the most effective words you can use that can help you communicate your ideas easily without taking up too much space.
5. Review your articles. Although your editors will and may review your articles, make sure they are ready to publish when you submit them. Remember, any errors found in your articles will surely be held against you, so make sure they are perfect.
