I have recently received several email inquiries on how to start an advice column. Based on these various letters, I am assuming that these readers have read my advice column “Ask GirlShrink” and want to create a similar question and answer (Q&A) model for their own column(s).
So this is the deal. In order to create a regularly produced column, you need questions from people interested in your topic and your expertise. For this, you need to establish a few things first…
Your Expertise — What is it that you are knowledgeable about? What can you answer questions on? And how do you show others that you know what you are talking about? If you are giving advice on a very general topic (such as I do), then make sure you give your column a twist — some flavor:) Write in your own unique voice.
Your Visibility — There are two reasons why someone will follow your column – because your writing is exceptionally clever OR because you have made yourself visible to your target market. They have heard of you. They remember something you wrote before. Or just remember your name. You can of course begin to easily present yourself as the expert on your topic through a series of marketing tactics (one of my favorites is of course article marketing:), and establishing a website and subscriber list.
Regular Communication — Once you have a list and you begin communicating to them regularly through regular emails or your newsletter – they will begin trusting you and then asking for your help. This is a very important step or you will always be talking to “new” people and never start building a base of loyal fans. And what you want are loyal readers.
Can you begin writing your advice column without all this in place first? Well, you could based on what you “think” your clients need answers on. But that would be writing more like a work of fiction or a well-written FAQ page:) And the key to a really great advice column – one that gets syndicated – is to generate authentic content. I mean there are just some questions that people send in which I couldn’t make up if I tried! So authentic content over contrived wins every time in my book:)
Lisa Angelettie
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Victoria says
Hi i am your new advice helper i can help you in any subject so please any worries dont be scared just…………….
ask vikki
Victoria says
Hi i am your new advice helper i can help you in any subject so please any worries dont be scared just…………….
ask vikki
emily says
i need to know how to make an advice column i dont need to know what i should feel or know i need to know how to really make a web page
emily says
i need to know how to make an advice column i dont need to know what i should feel or know i need to know how to really make a web page
victoria thompson says
My freinds come to me for advice and they say that I know a lot. But I don’t think that I know a lot. I just like to help people and get them through their problems. I was want to know how do I start my own advice column. Could you help me out. Thanks Victoria
victoria thompson says
My freinds come to me for advice and they say that I know a lot. But I don’t think that I know a lot. I just like to help people and get them through their problems. I was want to know how do I start my own advice column. Could you help me out. Thanks Victoria
Joey Bennett says
hi iam joey and i like to help people
contact me at whitewolf9309@yahoo.com
Joey Bennett says
hi iam joey and i like to help people
contact me at whitewolf9309@yahoo.com
Ashley 22 says
I can help people because i been threw it already are i kno what it feel like to go threw something !
Ashley 22 says
I can help people because i been threw it already are i kno what it feel like to go threw something !
vic says
HI! I am very excited in learing how to set up a blog/website where I can reach out to people and advise them. Any way you could point me in this direction will be very helpful and appreciated!
vic says
HI! I am very excited in learing how to set up a blog/website where I can reach out to people and advise them. Any way you could point me in this direction will be very helpful and appreciated!
Oliver Remus says
G’day! Oliver Remus here. I’m happy to see that I’m not the only one looking hard for ways to give advice and start my own column. Nice to see so many good beautiful people striving to make the world a better place. I’m interested in helping people by giving advice. I wouldn’t say that I know it all but I’m living it. I’ ve managed to get a great deal of people through difficult times and I’m looking to help more. So if you’re going through a tough time or need advice on anything ranging from loneliness issues, emotional pain, marital problems and many more things really, please feel free to email me your question on oliveremus@yahoo.com. I don’t need names or personal details. Just trying to do some good 🙂
Oliver Remus says
G’day! Oliver Remus here. I’m happy to see that I’m not the only one looking hard for ways to give advice and start my own column. Nice to see so many good beautiful people striving to make the world a better place. I’m interested in helping people by giving advice. I wouldn’t say that I know it all but I’m living it. I’ ve managed to get a great deal of people through difficult times and I’m looking to help more. So if you’re going through a tough time or need advice on anything ranging from loneliness issues, emotional pain, marital problems and many more things really, please feel free to email me your question on oliveremus@yahoo.com. I don’t need names or personal details. Just trying to do some good 🙂
cheyenne cooper says
hey; lately I've been giving advice to everyone. I was really wondering if you could help me start my own advice column. I really love to help people with their problems. Weather it's a family problem to dating advice. I do it all. Could you please help
lisaangelettie says
Hi Cheyenne,
Yes I can. I actually have been writing a guide for all my folks who
are interested in writing
an advice column. Until I launch it, feel free to submit any specific
questions you have about
doing it over to me at: http://asklisaangelettie.com
Bruce says
Hi Lisa, I love your weekly articles! I am launching http://www.DateNightChef.com both as a cooking site and I want to offer marriage tips/advice. (I'm a home chef and an ordained pastor who has done marriage seminars for years). I'd love your suggestions as to hwo I can incorporate both topics into the same site!
lisaangelettie says
That sounds like a winner!! I love that idea. One niche has to be predominant. So if it is cooking. I would feature a recipe for instance, how to cook it, along with pics or video, and have one of your marriage tips serve as a “sponsor” for that daily or weekly recipe. Sort of how TBS does dinner and a movie. http://www.tbs.com/movies/dinnerandamovie.jsp
Dearcricket says
Please visit advice column dearcricket dot com
Nuria says
Hi Lisa,
I started my newsletterr last September, but I never thought about writing a column. It looks like a great idea. Thanks you for the tip 🙂
Islam says
Hi!!
I,m here to help you. Ask me for advice of any subject.
Ask islam
Fay says
As an every day girl, I would like to step out of my own world and help those that need it. I have had quit a bit of experience with love and I would like to make a career in advising young women on how to approach it. But I don’t know how to start. I could use a little help. Thank you
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