Plan Ahead for Seasonal Articles to Earn Extra Writing Income

I spent thirteen years working in retail. One of the hardest things to get used to was the timing for displaying seasonal merchandise. In the dead of winter, the store featured short-sleeved shirts and gardening equipment. During the summer heat, winter coats and shovels made their way into store aisles.

The same can be said for writing seasonal articles. The lead time to submit seasonal material can be several months in advance. If you want to write an article about Valentine’s Day, you need to make sure you have time to perform your research, write the article, and edit it to your satisfaction so that you can submit it by August. Articles with a Christmas theme might need to be submitted by June. Always check submission guidelines to be sure.

Getting used to writing seasonal articles so far in advance can be a challenge, but a simple calendar can make all the difference. Pull out your desk calendar and find each holiday, then back up six months and write “Consider (name of holiday) articles” in the notes section. You can also use Google Calendar or Outlook. In Outlook, you can set reminders that pop up each time you check email, and at regular intervals, until you complete the task and dismiss the reminder. You can also set a reminder on your smartphone.

Seasonal articles are often in demand. If you pay attention to submission deadlines, it’s possible you could choose a new slant for a previously written article and use it to submit to online markets, which typically have shorter lead times.

A good thing to keep in mind, too, is that you don’t always have to focus on major holidays. Back-to-school season is a great time for articles about calming first day fears, helping kids choose what to bring to show-and-tell, or tips on how to write that dreaded “What I Did on My Summer Vacation” essay.

With careful planning, seasonal article writing becomes a way to earn extra writing income.



Cheryl C. Malandrinos is a freelance writer and editor. She is the author of Little Shepherd, A Christmas Kindness, Macaroni and Cheese for Thanksgiving, and Amos Faces His Bully. A blogger and book reviewer, she lives in Massachusetts with her husband and two daughters. She also has a son who is married. Visit Cheryl online at http://ccmalandrinos.com and her children’s book blog at https://childrensandteensbookconnection.wordpress.com