7 Steps to publish article on Times of India

Publishing an article in a major publication like the Times of India (TOI) can be a valuable achievement for journalists, content writers, researchers, academics, and thought leaders looking to expand their reach. Yet, it is not as simple as posting a blog on your own website. To succeed, you should become familiar with the platform’s rules for articles, pick the right channels and present your story in an engaging way. If your goal is to write for TOI, follow this detailed guide to go from having an idea to publishing your work.

Step 1: Learn about the Platform and Who Uses It

You need to learn about Times of India’s preferred style, voice and the various categories of content before writing anything. TOI is famous in India for getting read by people of all backgrounds such as professionals, students and those in government. Topics discussed in the publication range from politics and current affairs, to business, technology, entertainment, lifestyle and opinion pieces.

Take some time to read stories from the section that interests you. If you are writing an opinion piece, look at the editorial style, how opinions are presented and how quotes are referenced in the Op-Ed section of their site. For pieces that have more of a story or commentary angle, check out the Times Life or Sunday Times sections. Knowing the tone and types of readers on TOI will help you write an article that is fitting for the newspaper.

Step 2: Make sure the subject relevant and current.

The sheer number of submissions and pitches at TOI make it important for your article to be compelling and up-to-date. Keep away from subjects that are too broad and don’t offer anything different or engaging. You should pick topics that are popular, not covered much or present a novel view on ongoing discussions.

It is useful to connect your topic to what is happening in society, current events or discussions about policies. Editors seek writings intended to leave an impact on readers by guiding them toward action. If you are specialized or experienced in some area, use your background to explain matters or solutions that the public may never encounter.

Step 3: Create an impressive outline or write a fully drafted article.

Submitting your work to the Times of India can be done in two ways. sending along a complete article or pitching an idea directly.

A finished article should look polished and meet the standards of journalism. Property articles should be written clearly and have an eye-catching introduction, explanatory body and a well-thought conclusion. If you choose to pitch your idea, try to keep your explanation short and compelling. Mention the working title, a brief summary of your article, your individual approach and the importance of the topic right now. Do not forget to include a brief introduction to back up your claims.

State plainly which part of the website would suit your article best. This allows the editors to organize it properly.

Step 4: Find the most suitable editor or way to submit your article

Often, the toughest part is figuring out who to get in touch with. Unlike a few Western publications, TOI does not use a single, public portal for accepting op-eds. You can just email the article or pitch to the correct editor instead. Sometimes you have to search a bit, but generally you can find editor names on the TOI website, LinkedIn or even in the print edition.

If you have written an op-ed or opinion article, you can submit it to the Editorial Desk. For sections like lifestyle, technology or travel, try to reach the person who is responsible for the section. If you send your application to the right person, it becomes much more likely to get noticed.

Step 5: Follow Editorial Guidelines and Formatting

Lay out your file in a way that makes it easy for your editor to work with. Use a strong title followed by subheadings if they are needed. Split up your paragraphs and keep your writing simple to suit most people unless you are targeting specialists with your work.

Check you have not made any mistakes in grammar and the information is correct. Remember to reference any data or material from another source that you use. Make sure your work is original; avoid submitting content that is already on the web, not even if it’s on a private blog unless given the green light.

Most editors find it easier to work with Word or plain text articles, as compared to articles in PDF or more complicated designs. If there are images, check you are allowed to include them and break them out from the rest of the message as separate attachments.

Step 6: Be Calm and Make Sure You Can Revise the Work

Once you send your proposal, you may not get an answer right away. It can take from some days up to a few weeks for your work to be looked at due to the way the editorial calendar is structured. Don’t send too many follow-up emails in a short period. After some time has passed, it is fair to gently remind your friend about the reason.

Should the article be accepted, expect that developmental or editing steps will come next. Editors could request more information, a better focus or a quicker version to use because of the available space. This isn’t meant as criticism; view it more as partnering together to make the article as effective as it can be.

Step 7: Build Relationships and Maintain Momentum

Sharing your article on social networks and among colleagues can bring good results. Sharing your article widely can increase the chances of more writing jobs and show others you are a credible author. By tagging the Times of India and thanking the editors, you prove your professionalism and stay in their mind when writing future content.

If you want to submit a different story, remember to communicate with the editor. You should pitch when you have an appropriate story, not every week, so keep up your network to get published again. The longer you help out, editors will consider you as a regular source and might invite you to write for them more often.

Final Thoughts

Being published in the Times of India focuses not only on producing a great piece, but on being strategic, having a good sense of timing and using professional communication. If you understand the site, target your pieces well and build a good relationship with editors, you stand a much higher chance of being accepted. It can be tough to hear no, but keeping at it, using your imagination and producing great work will help you succeed.

By observing these steps, you can succeed in getting your work published in The Times of India, even if you have never written for a newspaper before.