MC-Guide
Content Writing
Website 04: Planning.org
How Can You Earn Money Writing For “planning.org” Website
This guide shows you, step by step, how a beginner can learn to pitch and sell stories to planning.org.
You will learn what Planning.org wants, how to test your idea, how to write a pitch, and how payment roughly works. You can use this like a small SOP.
Guide: How to Pitch and Get Paid to Write for Planning Magazine
This guide walks you, step by step, through how to plan, pitch, and write articles for Planning Magazine — the American Planning Association’s flagship magazine.
You will learn what Planning looks for, how to choose the right story type, how the “query first” process works, who usually gets paid, and how to use your bylines to grow your planning career. Sentences are simple so you can treat this as a small SOP for yourself or for your students.
Section 1 · Know the publication
What Planning Magazine actually is (and who reads it)
Planning.org is the home of the American Planning Association (APA). Their flagship magazine, Planning, is published 10 times a year and goes to thousands of planners, officials, and people who care about how communities grow.
The magazine covers real-world planning practice — things like housing supply, zoning reform, transportation, climate resilience, small town and rural planning, neighborhood revitalization, economic development, and urban design. Your job as a contributor is simple: show what is happening on the ground, why it matters, and what others can learn from it.
When you write for Planning, imagine your reader is:
- A practicing planner in a city, county, or region.
- An elected or appointed official trying to make better decisions.
- A consultant, advocate, or community leader working with plans and regulations.
They are busy and already know planning basics. Your article should respect their time, share fresh insight, and give them clear examples they can reuse.
From the official guidelines, Planning looks for:
- News stories about recent events, programs, or decisions (short and timely).
- Features that go deeper into trends, case studies, and lessons learned.
- Profiles of notable planners and community leaders.
- Book reviews and short viewpoints, letters, and project news.
Longer, academic research papers usually belong in JAPA, not Planning. Keep this magazine practical and story-driven.
| Story type | Typical focus | Approx. length | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| News item | Timely planning decision, program, or event | Under 500 words | Breaking news or very fresh developments |
| Feature article | Case study, trend, evaluation, profile | Around 2,500 words | In-depth learning and lessons from practice |
| Viewpoint / essay | Opinion on a planning issue | Shorter, focused | Sharing a clear perspective or argument |
| Book review | New planning books & reports | About 500–700 words | Highlighting resources for the profession |
Section 2 · Pick your lane
Choose the right story type for your idea
Before you think about payment, decide what kind of story you are trying to sell. The same project can become a short news item, a full feature, or a profile — depending on what you emphasise.
Is this pure news?
Ask yourself: “If this appears six months from now, will it still feel fresh?” If the main point is a recent decision, vote, event, program launch, or crisis, you may be looking at a news story.
- Focus on the “what happened, who, where, when, why now”.
- Keep it tight and clear — around 500 words or less.
- Good for small but important changes, awards, or initiatives.
Is this a deeper feature?
If you want to explore context, process, and lessons, you probably have a feature article. These often:
- Tell a full story of a project, program, or trend.
- Include voices from planners, officials, and residents.
- Show both challenges and solutions, not just a success story.
Features are usually around 2,500 words and may include multiple maps, charts, and photos.
Is this a book review or viewpoint?
Maybe your main contribution is a reaction to a new book, report, or trend. Then your piece might be:
- A short book review (500–700 words) highlighting what planners should know.
- A viewpoint / essay sharing a clear argument or concern.
- A letter responding to an earlier Planning article.
These are shorter, but they still need facts, examples, and a point.
Section 3 · Query first
Turn the official guidelines into a clear pitch
The contributor guidelines are clear: send a query, not a finished manuscript. That means your main skill is writing one strong, short email that shows you understand Planning’s audience and can deliver a focused story.
- Subject line: clear and specific (for example, “Query: Feature on zoning for middle housing in XYZ City”).
- Opening: one or two sentences on your idea and why it matters now.
- Relevance: how this helps planners, officials, or communities.
- Sources: your role (personal involvement?) and who you will interview.
- Story shape: is it news, feature, profile, or review? Approximate length.
- Illustrations: photos, maps, charts, or graphics you can provide.
Think of your query email like this:
- Paragraph 1: hook + what the story is about + why now.
- Paragraph 2: who is involved, what sources you have, what angle you will take.
- Paragraph 3: your role and background (planner, writer, student, etc.) + links to any previous work.
- Short bullet list: possible visuals you can send (photos, maps, diagrams).
Keep it under one page. Show confidence, but stay honest and open to edits.
| Query element | What editors want to see | Example (short) |
|---|---|---|
| Angle | Clear focus and why now | “How a mid-sized city used form-based codes to unlock missing-middle housing.” |
| Evidence | Real projects and data | “I was staff planner on the project and have access to staff reports, maps, and before–after photos.” |
| Audience link | Useful for planners elsewhere | “Other cities facing similar housing shortages can reuse these zoning tools.” |
Section 4 · Style in practice
Write in Planning’s voice: structure, tone, and accuracy
Planning prefers a straightforward, nontechnical style. That does not mean shallow. It means you explain complex planning work in language that a busy reader can follow without stopping to decode jargon.
For a 2,500-word feature, use a simple skeleton like:
- Intro: 3–6 short paragraphs. Set the scene, explain why this story matters now.
- Background: essential context only (history, demographics, policy drivers).
- The project: how it was planned, funded, and implemented.
- Challenges: politics, community concerns, technical issues.
- Outcomes: data, qualitative changes, community response.
- Lessons: what other planners can copy or avoid.
Think of this as your Planning feature outline template.
- Use short paragraphs and clear topic sentences.
- Explain any technical term the first time you use it.
- Double-check every fact, number, date, and quote.
- Include the political and economic context, not just design details.
- Follow basic style rules (Chicago Manual of Style is their reference).
Your goal is to make a complex planning story readable, accurate, and useful.
Section 5 · Money & outlets
Who gets paid, how much, and other ways to earn on Planning.org
Payment policy is important — and nuanced. Planning’s guidelines say they generally do not pay practicing planners, attorneys, or university faculty members. For everyone else, they negotiate fees individually. Typical ranges for articles and artwork are shared on the guidelines page.
- No standard fee if you are a practicing planner, attorney, or faculty member.
- For other contributors, article fees are usually negotiated in a band.
- Artwork (photos, drawings) can also be paid separately.
- Exact amounts and terms can change; always confirm with the editor.
See this mainly as a way to build authority and relationships in the planning world, with some extra income if you are in the paid group.
Besides Planning, APA runs other publications where fees are more standard:
- PAS Memo: short memos with an author stipend per article.
- Zoning Practice: long-form articles on zoning and land-use, with a fixed standard payment for the lead piece.
- PAS Reports & JAPA: higher-bar, research-focused outlets (different processes and goals).
A good strategy: aim for Planning features and also learn the guidelines for PAS Memo and Zoning Practice to build a mixed income + impact portfolio.
| APA outlet | Typical content | Payment picture | Your strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Planning Magazine | News, features, profiles, reviews | Fees negotiated; many practicing planners not paid | Build visibility and influence in the profession |
| PAS Memo | Short, practical planning memos | Author stipend per memo (fixed amount) | Write focused memos on methods and best practices |
| Zoning Practice | Single long feature on zoning topic | Standard payment for lead article | Use your zoning expertise for deeper, higher-paying pieces |
Section 6 · Ethics & evidence
Data, quotes, and visuals: keep your planning story honest
Planning’s guidelines stress accuracy. That means your facts, numbers, maps, and photos must reflect reality. You also need to handle AI tools and image sources carefully.
- Do not invent quotes, data, or outcomes.
- Do not copy text from other reports or websites without permission and clear attribution.
- Do not use photos or maps you don’t have rights to publish.
- Do not let AI tools write the whole article for you and then skip fact-checking.
Your credibility in the planning community depends on honest, verifiable reporting.
- Use AI tools only to brainstorm headings, simplify sentences, or check grammar.
- Keep a separate notes file with all your sources (staff reports, ordinances, datasets, interviews).
- Label every photo and map with location, date, and credit.
- Ask your editor early if you’re unsure about permissions or naming sensitive data.
Final rule: if you could not defend a fact in a public meeting, it should not be in your article.
Section 7 · Micro-SOP
Final checklist before you send your query
Use this as a quick “am I ready?” checklist each time you pitch Planning or another APA outlet.