WRITING |NEWSBREAK WRITING TIPS
Are You Using NewsBreak as Another Income Source?
Despite no longer paying a standard fee for each article you post, NewsBreak is a valuable source of funds as a side hustle. I stopped for a while, but I am back.
Here’s my standard format and how I write there.
Newsbreak format — your title must be AP-style. Much like sentence-case without all-caps. However, they’ve been approving mine in CMOS.
Don’t use clickbait titles; they won’t be approved. Listicles are OK but don’t title it as if it is a listicle or use a format that says #1, Best, or similar wording.
They might still approve the title, but if they have a problem with it — click edit and take out or replace any words you think are superlatives or clickbaitish, such as finest, first-rate, leading, outstanding, perfect, terrific, etc.
Titles for NewsBreak can be a pain in the ass. Here’s what they say:
“All headlines should follow the below guidelines to ensure proper distribution:
be free of clickbait words and formats (this includes exaggerated words like “best” or “must-see” and listicles for non-local topics)
does not include misleading statements such as “This is the one thing you need to know…”
be factually correct and directly related to the content and free of any other sensationalized or deceptive wording
be free of spelling and grammatical errors”
I usually just keep changing words if they say there is a problem. You do not want a limited distribution of your story. That will cost you views, and they don’t pay much per view anyway.
Don’t build a wall of text. It will scare away your reader. Online readers skim.
Use your first Subtitle as a Meta Description to rank on Google Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs)— 155 to 200 characters with your keyword
Write the story.
Click the Image icon on the toolbar to add an image. I use try to use at least four images and two YouTube videos whenever possible — more on that below.
NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. When you click on a link and buy the product, I make a small commission, which does not change your price.
If you use any affiliate links in your article, you must add a warning blurb at the beginning or before the first link. I place it at the beginning and the end.
If you use an Amazon link, you must add the blurb: “As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.” This is mandatory for all Amazon affiliates — not a NewsBreak requirement.
DO NOT overdo it with affiliate links. Two or three are fine, but more than that will usually get you a strike or a mandatory edit, which you don’t want. Too many strikes will get you suspended or banned.
Why I left NewsBreak
I left Newsbreak for a long time, but now I am back. I “cut off my nose to spite my face.” I got upset about their changing the RPM at the beginning of every month.
Why do we need to re-establish that from month to month? That still bothers me, but it’s their system. I’ll just accept it.
I started again in October, and after re-publishing just 12 articles, I made $15.97. Yeah, it’s not going to make me rich, but when added to my other income sources, it helps to pay the rent and buy groceries.
For November, I have set a goal to publish every day. Who knows, one or more might go viral and make me rich. Hahaha.
Use these referral links if you want to get started and help us both on our NewsBreak journey:
Want to read local news stories as they happen? Sign up using my referral link.
If you’re interested in making a side hustle from writing about local news, sign up using this referral link, and we can both make more. Don’t forget to use your link when you write to attract other readers and writers.
In 2020, I had six referrals earn me $250 each. That’s right. I made $1500 just by adding the referral link to my stories and then answering their questions occasionally.
To get those referral links, go to “Contributor Referral” on the left sidebar. Then, choose “Refer Contributors” on the top right. To get the $5 bonus for those who download the app, go to “User Referral” and choose “Share the App.”
I add those two lines at the end of every article.
What Is Popular on NewsBreak?
You need to poke around and see what works best for you. Although, the quickest method is to re-publish what you wrote elsewhere. However, keep in mind — this is a News site. Therefore, local news works best.
However, if you want to republish fiction, you must warn your readers that it is fiction. Likewise, with “opinion” and “satire.”
Remember what happened when author H. G. Wells neglected to tell his audience The War of the Worlds was a work of fiction, not a news announcement when released on the radio. It caused quite a panic!
I like to review restaurants. I typically choose restaurants I have been to, but not always. If I choose a place I haven’t been to, I get pictures from their website, Facebook page, or both.
When there’s a new restaurant or catering service opening, I message or call to request an interview.
I usually do a written interview using four or five questions, such as why did you decide to start your business? do you the sole owner or manager of the business? I often take that info from their About Us page on their website if they have one.
I usually ask them for four photos with a short blurb about the image to use for the caption. One picture of their storefront and three of their favorite dishes or drinks with a little story about it.
Check Facebook for local groups that talk about restaurants or events to get information and ideas about who to review. If a restaurant or caterer “likes” your post, they might be an excellent source for another article.
This was my most recent.
All photos/images must be given the proper credit, such as whenever I do a restaurant review, I take pictures from their Facebook page or website if any. Sometimes, I get them directly from the owner.
Either way, I use a short blurb about the image (image caption), then the words by the owner, by the author, or other source on the second line (image credit), and the website or Facebook URL on the third line. Then click OK.
Flickr is an excellent source for free images.
Are you wondering if your use of an image is fair use or not? Would you like to know where to find specific images for legal use? Of course, you would.
Fair Use — Copyright on YouTube
She makes a lot of good points but be wary of “fair use.” It doesn’t mean because the image is widely used, it is fair game for you to use.
Using Videos
I use YouTube videos as often as possible. It keeps them on the page longer and makes your article look more professional.
Here’s how.
Unlike Medium, which uses just the URL, all YouTube videos must use the embed < > button on the toolbar and on the YouTube video, choose: Share — Embed — copy, then paste into the document.
It should look like this screenshot:
The embed code should look like this:
What is the NewsBreak Creator Program? — Make Money with Videos and Journal Articles!
Remember to use the embed code and #hashtags.
I usually copy and paste their #hashtags. You can also look at what’s trending and choose relevant #hashtags from that list.
Go to Google Trends to see how your topic ranks.
Then, go to Best Hashtags to choose the most relevant.
For instance, if you’re writing about Twitter Layoffs, which was the top search topic on Google on 4 NOV, you would find these hashtags:
#layoffs #covid #unemployment #coronavirus #jobs #layoff #business #jobcuts #news #pandemic #laidoff #workfromhome #jobsearch #unemployed #economy #fired #career #recession #employmentlaw #employmentlawyers #employment #hiring #memes #instagood #lockdown #finance #uber #jobloss #furlough #humanresources
You can add up to five before you publish.
Many content creators submit videos to NewsBreak. I am not a vlogger, but kudos to those who do. Getting approved might be a little more complicated, but I heard they make more — though I can’t say for sure as I haven’t done it.
Of course, some, like Instagram and Twitter, limit the number of characters or tags you can use, but LinkedIn (In) does not.
I pick the top five most relevant for Newsbreak that should attract the most views. Since that’s how you get paid, that’s what you want. Am I right?
That’s it for now. If you have any questions — whether you use might referral link or not. I’ll try to help.
I use a standard finish
In addition to, In conclusion, Final Thoughts, or however you wish to finish, add the following items in any order you wish. However, use your links.
Want to read local news stories as they happen? Sign up using my referral link.
If you’re interested in making a side hustle from writing about local news, sign up using my referral link, and we can both make more. Don’t forget to use your link when you write.
NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. When you click on a link and buy the product, I make a small commission, which does not change your price.
If you want to use this, credit Jean Springs, from Pexels.
Stephen Dalton is an Old Town native, retired US Army First Sergeant with a degree in journalism from the University of Maryland, and a Certified US English Chicago Manual of Style Editor. Also, a Top Writer in Books & Authors, Travel, Fiction, NFL, Design, Creativity, and Short Stories.
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