I recently passed a milestone with ClearanceJobs when I published my 100th article for them. This milestone brings me closer to one of the goals I set for myself as a writer—to surpass Ernest Hemingway’s published articles number. As I near 150 pieces in various forums, I think I am getting close.
Getting Your Brand in National Security
Why did I choose Hemingway as a goal? He made his living looking at a lot of foreign affairs and national security topics when he was a new writer. His ability to make boring topics on the other side of the world interesting to North Americans is worth a study. I think the ability to simplify complex world events and make them enjoyable to the layperson should be a goal for everyone that writes/speaks about foreign policy. When you fail to do so, you are not helping to educate the citizenry about issues they should be voting on.
1. Blog it
You need a blog when you start thinking/writing about foreign affairs. It helps your audience learn more about you and what you believe in. There is a built-in base of readers out there that thinks like you. Don’t be afraid to get personal and opinionated on your blog. Invite guests to write on your blog. Write about a variety of topics so that you can gather different readers. Having your own widely read blog is a path in itself to becoming a known foreign policy or national security voice. Don’t forget to hang your biography on your blog. When people look for your background information, it is best if they don’t have to make it up.
2. Co-author often
I have found one of the easiest ways to get published in new outlets is to write with an author that knows the editor. Don’t be a snob and refuse to write with others or help others learn to write. Better to be a team-player that gets published often, than a self-centered person that can only get published in one or two places. You will get so much better at writing and editing when you collaborate with other authors. I have written pieces with up to three authors; beyond that the editing gets a bit tricky.
3. Be social
Nothing will help you learn to write/speak in short easy-to-read bursts than publishing on social media. It will also prepare you to absorb the arrows of the trolls and haters. Focus on the positive side of social media. You will build a readership as you build your social media following. You will also find people to co-author with, and you will find some great resources to help you learn more about your topic. Do schedule time to interact with your readers on social media. Don’t get into long and useless arguments, but do learn to joust a bit about things you are passionate about. Do test out your future public posts on some of your more closely guarded social media outlets. Finally, always keep one of your social media outlets limited – you need that sounding board of people that actually know you.
4. Publish often
If you want someone to invite you on a news program, request an article from you, or ask for your comments for an article they are writing, then you need to publish often. You may have some editors approach you after they stumble upon your blog posts or social media. You may not though, so start submitting your ideas to a variety of outlets. Don’t worry about rejection, editors and news outlets have their own organizational goals that might not align with your views. Move on to another outlet. Don’t get fixated on the political slant of an outlet, just submit and get published. I have written in Breitbart and CNN and everything between. If you are versatile enough to get your ideas past editors from very different backgrounds, that is a good sign. Whatever you do, don’t get stuck. If you get rejected a few times on an article, then toss it on your blog, and keep moving forward with a new topic. Don’t spend months trying to publish an article that editors don’t want. Time is precious, and you aren’t learning by beating your head against a closed door.
5. Speak up and Speak out
No better tool exists to sharpen your views on a topic than a live audience. I have spoken or taught courses to close to 500 people at this point. Whether it’s an interview with a prickly reporter, or a local library, the audience will ensure you know your business. Again, don’t get hung up on the motivations of the person asking you to speak, just take the opportunity to explain an issue and answer tough questions about it. Once you learn to handle yourself well verbally you will get more requests to join news broadcasts. It doesn’t matter if the news outlet is from South Africa or Afghanistan, or if you need to stay up until 9pm wearing a jacket and tie, take the gig and you will grow. Your first request to give an opinion on live TV will not likely be CNN or the BBC. I think mine was a radio show in Chicago.
6. Read
You must study the masters to get better at this. I like to read articles from 100 years ago to help realize what is missing in the news today. I strongly endorse the book By-Line: Ernest Hemingway edited by William White. That series of dispatches for the Toronto Star paper and a few other outlets is illuminating. You also can’t go wrong with any of Hemingway’s personal letters from the Cambridge book series for insights into explaining the complex in a simple and entertaining way. Next, look closely at foreign affairs journals and magazines. Pick out some authors you like to read and learn from them. Do they have a rhythm or technique that attracts you? Last but not least, look on social media and see what articles and speakers that people are gravitating towards. You will find fresh new voices that are really good at telling a story and simplifying tricky topics.
BUild your Brand
Through all of these efforts you are building your brand. Your reputation affects all of these possibilities. Don’t worry; you will seem schizophrenic and hypocritical to many people. Your positions on national security will vary by topic and time. That is normal. If you are not changing your views based on new information, changes in the region, or your own changing views as you mature—then start to worry. Ignore the haters and speak your mind, believe me there are a lot of audiences that want honest and clear insights. Finally, if you know how many articles Hemingway published let me know the exact count.
