MC-Guide
Content Writing
Website 20: Theprogressnetwork.org
How Can You Earn Money Writing For “theprogressnetwork.org” Website
This guide shows you, step by step, how a beginner can learn to pitch and sell stories to theprogressnetwork.org.
You will learn what theprogressnetwork 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 Write for The Progress Network (and Earn Money) — Step by Step
This guide is a beginner-friendly, “do-this-next” SOP that helps you plan, write, and pitch an article to The Progress Network. You will also learn how to earn money directly (if the assignment pays) and indirectly (portfolio, leads, reprints, syndication, newsletter growth, and repeat work).
Your main reference page is the official Submission Guidelines. Keep it open while you follow this guide. If anything in this guide conflicts with their latest rules, treat their guidelines as the final word.
Updated: Dec 22, 2025. This guide uses simple language, short steps, and lots of links so you can learn faster. It is designed for writers who want to publish blog posts, essays, reported stories, opinion pieces, or guest posts and want a clear path to professional-level work.
Section 1 · Understand the publication
What The Progress Network is (and what it tends to publish)
Before you pitch anything, you need to understand the “shape” of the publication. The simplest way is: open the homepage, read a few recent pieces, then open the submission guidelines and read them slowly.
Start here: Home · Submission Guidelines
Now do this tiny warm-up (10 minutes):
Read 3 pieces like a detective
- Open 3 recent stories from the homepage.
- Write down: topic, format, tone, and the “main point.”
- Notice: do they use data? quotes? examples? personal story?
- Notice: how long are paragraphs? how often do they link out?
This is how you learn the house style fast, without guessing.
Read the guidelines with a highlighter mindset
- Look for: accepted formats, preferred topics, word ranges (if stated), and how to submit.
- Find: whether they want a pitch first, or a complete draft.
- Find: any notes on payments, rights, edits, images, and response times.
Keep the guidelines link open while you build your pitch: theprogressnetwork.org/submission-guidelines
A “progress” story is not blind positivity. It is a clear, honest look at what is improving, how it happened, what’s still hard, and what we can learn. Think: real change, real trade-offs.
- What problem is being addressed?
- What approach is being used (policy, tech, culture, community, business)?
- What evidence suggests it works (or partly works)?
- What are limits, risks, or open questions?
- What can readers take away: ideas, frameworks, lessons?
Editors say yes faster when your pitch makes a clear promise: “If a reader spends 7 minutes here, they will learn X.”
- They will understand a topic they keep hearing about.
- They will see how a real solution works in the real world.
- They will get context: why this matters now.
- They will get a fair view: what works and what doesn’t.
If you can write your promise in one sentence, you already have a strong start.
| What editors usually love | What usually gets rejected | Simple fix |
|---|---|---|
| A specific change with evidence | Vague “the world is changing” essays | Choose one place, one program, one example |
| Human stories + clear facts | Only opinions with no support | Add sources, quotes, and numbers |
| Balanced tone (not PR) | Promotional brand content | Disclose conflicts, show limits |
| Fresh angle, not a copy | Same story everyone covered | Find the “new lens” or “new lesson” |
Section 2 · Fit your idea
Fit test: Is your idea “Progress Network-shaped”?
Beginners fail mainly because they pitch a topic, not a story. A topic is “education.” A story is “a specific program in one city that cut dropout rates, and what we can learn from it.”
Use these three checks. If you pass all three, your pitch is likely strong.
Is there a clear “progress signal”?
Progress signal = a real change you can point to. It can be small, but it must be real.
- A policy changed
- A tool made a process cheaper / safer
- A community program improved outcomes
- A new approach reduced harm
- A practice spread because it works
If you cannot describe the change in one sentence, the story is too foggy.
Can you show evidence (not only feelings)?
Evidence can be numbers, quotes, documents, research, or observation. You do not need a PhD. You need credible sources and a fair approach.
- At least 2–3 sources you can cite or link
- At least 1 person you can quote (if you do interviews)
- At least 1 “counter point” or limitation
If you can’t find evidence, you might still write a personal essay, but you should be honest about scope.
Is the piece “reader-first” (not ego-first)?
Editors want writing that respects the reader. That means:
- Clear definitions (no fancy words for no reason)
- Examples that make abstract ideas real
- Fair tone, no dunking, no outrage bait
- Short paragraphs and clean headings
If your draft is mostly “I think” statements, rewrite the core as “Here is what happened, and here is what it shows.”
| Idea type | When it’s strong | When it’s weak | Simple upgrade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal essay | You learned something universal | It becomes a diary entry | Add “lesson + example + takeaway” |
| Reported story | You have sources and facts | It’s just internet summary | Interview 2 people + add documents |
| Opinion | It’s grounded in reality | It’s a rant | Use evidence + address counter view |
| Profile of a project | You show results + limits | It becomes PR | Ask hard questions + show downsides |
Section 3 · Pick the best format
Choose a format: essay vs reported vs opinion (and why format matters)
A common beginner mistake: you write a reported story like an opinion piece, or you pitch an essay like a news report. Editors care about format because format tells them how the piece will be built and how it will read.
Use this when your story is based on your lived experience, but the lesson is bigger than you. A strong essay is not “me me me.” It is “me, therefore us.”
- Start with a scene (something that happened)
- Explain the tension: what felt hard or confusing
- Introduce the insight: what changed
- Show proof: examples, reading, or small research
- End with a takeaway the reader can use
If you are new, an essay is often the fastest way to publish because you control access to the story.
Use this when the story needs other voices: experts, people affected, decision-makers, or documents. Reported stories take more time, but they build stronger authority and better long-term income.
- At least 2 interviews (even short calls)
- At least 3 credible sources to link
- Clear “nut graf” explaining why it matters
- A fair section: “what critics say” or “what’s still unknown”
The easiest reported story is a “micro-reported” piece: one case study, 2 interviews, and clean structure.
Opinion is not anger. Opinion is a claim + reasons + evidence. Your job is to persuade a thoughtful reader, not to “win.” Opinion works best when you include the other side and respond with respect.
- One clear claim (your thesis)
- 3 reasons (each backed with evidence)
- One counter-argument (then your response)
- A practical conclusion (what should happen next)
Editors love opinion that is calm, specific, and helpful.
If The Progress Network accepts explainers (check guidelines), this can be a strong entry. Explain one system clearly: a policy tool, a community method, a new model, or a science concept that matters.
- Define the thing in simple words
- Explain the problem it solves
- Show one real-world example
- Show limits and risks
- End with “what to watch next”
The secret: explainers earn trust. Trust earns repeat assignments.
Section 4 · Research plan
Research plan: sources, interviews, and evidence (without getting overwhelmed)
Beginners either research too little (“I saw a tweet”) or too much (“I saved 50 tabs and now I’m stuck”). The fix is a simple research system: 3 buckets and a timer.
- 15 min: define the claim (what you are trying to prove or show)
- 20 min: find 3 credible sources
- 15 min: find 1 counterpoint or limitation
- 10 min: write a “source memo” (links + key facts)
After the sprint, you are allowed to write the pitch. You can always research more later, but you need enough to show the editor you are serious.
Copy/paste this into Google Docs or Notion:
- Claim: (one sentence)
- Why now: (one sentence)
- Key sources: (3 links + 1 line summary each)
- Counter / limits: (1 link + 1 line summary)
- Possible interviewees: (2 names + why them)
- Reader takeaway: (one sentence)
Here are trustworthy places to find evidence fast. Use official or respected sources whenever possible. (This also protects you when editors ask “where did this come from?”)
| Need | Fast sources | Why it’s useful |
|---|---|---|
| Global data | Our World in Data, World Bank Data, UN Data | Clean charts and context you can link |
| Health research | WHO, PubMed, CDC | Credible, citable, and widely recognized |
| Economy + jobs | OECD, IMF, ILOSTAT | Good for trends, policies, and comparisons |
| Academic papers | Google Scholar, Semantic Scholar | Find the most-cited work fast (then read abstracts) |
| Local context | Government portals, city reports, NGO reports, university research pages | Best for real stories with real locations |
Interviewing scares beginners, but it is easier than you think. You can do “micro-interviews”: 15-minute calls with 5 prepared questions. Most people say yes if your email is respectful and clear.
5 questions you can reuse for almost any story
- What problem were you trying to solve?
- What did you try first, and what failed?
- What changed when it started working?
- What’s the biggest limitation or risk?
- What should others learn from your experience?
Your goal is not to collect fancy quotes. Your goal is to collect clarity.
Consent + trust (simple rule)
Always confirm: “Is it okay if I quote you by name?” If they prefer anonymity, ask what level is okay: first name only, role only, or fully anonymous.
This protects you, the source, and the publication.
Section 5 · Writing plan
Writing plan: a simple structure that editors (and readers) love
If you want consistent acceptances, you need a repeatable structure. Here is a structure that works for essays, reported stories, and explainers. You can adapt it.
| Part | What it does | Beginner tip |
|---|---|---|
| 1) Hook | Earn attention in 3–6 lines | Start with a scene or a surprising fact |
| 2) Context | Explain what this is about | Define the problem in simple words |
| 3) The Progress Signal | Show the change | Say what improved and how |
| 4) How it works | Explain the mechanism | Use examples, not theory |
| 5) Evidence | Prove it’s real (or partly real) | Use links, quotes, numbers |
| 6) Limits | Show honesty and nuance | “Here’s what this doesn’t solve…” |
| 7) Takeaways | Give the reader something useful | 3 bullets: lessons, next steps, watch-outs |
Now let’s make it even easier: a “paragraph recipe” you can follow while drafting. If you write like this, your work feels professional.
1) Make one point
First sentence: the point of the paragraph. Example: “In one small city, a new approach reduced food waste by changing how schools buy meals.”
2) Prove it
Add one proof line: a number, quote, document, or simple example. Link to the source if possible.
3) Explain why it matters
Give meaning: why should the reader care? Connect it to a bigger idea (fairly, not dramatically).
4) Move forward
End with a bridge sentence that leads to the next point. This is how you create flow and keep readers reading.
Section 6 · Pitching plan
Pitching plan: what to send, how to format it, and how to avoid rejection
Your pitch is a sales page, but for an idea. The editor is busy. Make it easy to say yes. Do not send a long life story. Send a clean proposal with a clear angle.
First, follow their official submission method (email or form) as stated here: Submission Guidelines.
- What is the story? (1–2 sentences)
- Why now? (1 sentence)
- What’s the progress signal? (1 sentence)
- How will you report it? (sources/interviews)
- What format + length? (estimate)
- Why you? (2 lines + 1–3 clips)
If you answer these, you are already ahead of most beginners.
- Sending a full draft without being asked
- Pitching a topic, not a story
- Sounding promotional (brand or NGO PR)
- No sources, no evidence, no plan
- No clips or proof you can write
Fix: keep it short, specific, and evidence-based.
Write better subject lines. These increase open rates and make you look professional:
| Subject line pattern | Example | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| PITCH: [Topic] + [Place] + [Angle] | PITCH: Community cooling hubs in Ahmedabad — what actually worked | Specific, readable, no hype |
| QUERY: [Format] + [Core claim] | QUERY: Reported feature — how a clinic cut wait times by redesigning one step | Signals format and purpose |
| IDEA: [Progress signal] + [Reader takeaway] | IDEA: A school meal change that reduced waste — 3 lessons other cities can use | Promises value |
Section 7 · Drafting workflow
Drafting: your first clean draft in 2–4 sessions (even if you are busy)
Beginners often wait for “motivation.” Professionals use a process. Use this simple 4-session drafting plan. It works for 1,200–3,000+ word pieces.
Build the skeleton (headings + bullets)
- Write your working title (ugly is fine)
- Add the 7-part structure from Section 5 as headings
- Under each heading, add 3–6 bullets (facts, quotes, examples)
- Paste sources directly under the relevant bullets
You are not writing “beautiful.” You are making a map.
Write the hook + the “progress signal” section
- Write 2 hook options (scene vs surprising fact)
- Write a clear nut graf: “Here’s what this story is about”
- Write the section that shows the change (progress signal)
Once these parts are strong, the rest becomes easier.
Write the “how it works” + “evidence” sections
- Explain the mechanism with examples
- Add 2–4 sources, clearly linked
- Add quotes if you interviewed anyone
- Keep paragraphs short (2–5 lines)
Your goal: the reader should understand without being an expert.
Write “limits” + “takeaways” and clean the flow
- Add a fairness section: what this doesn’t solve
- Write 3 takeaways as bullets
- Read out loud and fix awkward lines
- Check every link and every number
This is where your work becomes editor-ready.
Section 8 · Editing + trust
Editing + fact-checking: how to look professional (even as a beginner)
Editors don’t only choose ideas. They choose writers who are easy to work with. The best way to look professional is: clean draft, clean sources, clean attitude.
Alongside your draft, keep a proof pack (private doc) with:
- All links used (in a list)
- All numbers (copied with source links)
- Interview notes and consent notes
- Any important definitions
If an editor asks “where did this stat come from?”, you answer explains instantly. That makes you look reliable and increases repeat work.
- Headline is specific and not hype
- Intro explains the story quickly
- Every section has one clear point
- Links work
- Numbers are verified
- Quotes are accurate
- Terms are defined
- No long paragraphs
- Fairness section included
- Takeaways included
- Spelling + grammar checked
- No promotional tone
Here are excellent free resources to learn fact-checking and reporting habits:
Section 9 · Money and career
Money: payment, rights, reprints, and indirect income (the beginner roadmap)
Let’s be honest: not every publication pays the same way, and terms can change. So the smartest approach is a two-lane plan: Lane A: direct payment and Lane B: indirect income.
Lane A starts with one rule: confirm pay and rights in writing. The Progress Network’s latest terms (if stated publicly) will be on: Submission Guidelines. If it is not clearly stated, ask politely in your pitch or after acceptance.
If they pay per piece, your income depends on scope and time. Think like a freelancer:
- Estimate hours (research + writing + revision)
- Ask about fee, timeline, and payment method
- Ask what rights you are granting (exclusive? non-exclusive?)
- Ask if they allow republishing later (after a period)
Even if you are shy, asking these questions is normal professional behavior.
A strong byline can earn you money in other ways:
- Freelance clients (you show “I can publish”)
- Speaking invites or workshops
- Newsletter subscribers (later paid newsletter)
- Reprints / syndication (if rights allow)
- Consulting (if the story connects to your expertise)
This is why a “good clip” can be worth more than the original fee over time.
| Income path | What you do | What you earn | Beginner tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment fee | Write for the publication | One-time payment | Track hours, improve speed |
| Repeat assignments | Become reliable + easy to edit | Monthly income stream | Pitch follow-ups after 1 win |
| Reprints (if allowed) | Republish elsewhere later | Second payment for one story | Always check rights first |
| Clients | Use byline as proof | Higher-paying work | Build a simple portfolio page |
| Newsletter + products | Turn stories into a niche | Recurring revenue | Start free, then add paid later |
Helpful links for building your writer income systems (optional, but powerful):
Section 10 · Beginner action plan
A 30-day beginner plan to go from “no clips” to “ready to pitch”
If you are new, you don’t need a 2-year plan. You need a 30-day plan. This plan gives you a small portfolio and a clear pitch.
| Week | Main goal | What you do | Output |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Understand the publication | Read 6 pieces + analyze structure + pick 10 story ideas | Idea list + notes |
| Week 2 | Build one sample | Write a 900–1400 word piece on your blog/Medium | 1 published clip |
| Week 3 | Build pitch-ready idea | Research sprint + outline + sources + possible interviews | Pitch memo |
| Week 4 | Pitch professionally | Send 1–2 pitches (follow their method) + track | Sent pitch + tracker |
Use this checklist as your “graduate” line. If you can check these items, you are ready.
Section 11 · Templates
Pitch email templates (copy/paste) — short, respectful, effective
Use these templates only if email pitching is allowed by their guidelines. If they require a form, paste the same content into the form fields. Always follow the official instructions: Submission Guidelines.
Subject: PITCH: [Story angle] — [Place / focus]
Hello [Editor/Team],
I’m pitching a [format: essay / reported feature / opinion] for The Progress Network. The story is about [1–2 sentences: what happened + progress signal].
Why now: [1 sentence: why this matters this month/season]
What I’ll cover:
- [Section 1]
- [Section 2]
- [Section 3]
- [Limits / fairness angle]
- [Takeaways for readers]
Sources (early list): [Link 1], [Link 2], [Link 3].
About me: [2 lines on your relevant background]. Here are 1–3 clips: [link], [link], [link].
If this fits, I can deliver a draft in [time estimate] and revise quickly. Thank you for your time.
Best,
[Your Name]
[City, optional]
[Portfolio link]
Subject: QUERY: Reported feature — [Progress signal] in [place]
Hello [Editor/Team],
I’d like to propose a reported feature about [progress signal]. The piece would show how the change happened, what evidence supports it, and what limits still exist.
Reporting plan:
- Interview: [Name/role], [Name/role] (or “two sources in these roles” if not confirmed yet)
- Documents/data: [Link], [Link]
- Counterpoint: [What critics say or what is still unknown]
Outline (working): Hook → Context → How it works → Evidence → Limits → Takeaways.
Why me: [One line: your connection or expertise] + clips: [link], [link].
Please tell me if you’d like this in a specific length or format. Thanks for considering.
Best,
[Your Name] · [Portfolio]
Subject: Follow-up: PITCH — [Story title]
Hello [Editor/Team],
Just following up on my pitch below sent on [date]. I know you’re busy. If the idea isn’t a fit right now, no worries — I’m happy to adjust the angle or send a different idea.
Thank you,
[Your Name]