MC-Guide
Content Writing
Website 63: Nytimes.com
How Can You Earn Money Writing For “Nytimes.com” Website
This guide shows you, step by step, how a beginner can learn to pitch and sell stories to Nytimes.com.
You will learn what Nytimes.com 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 New York Times’ Wirecutter — Step-by-Step (Beginner → Paid)
This guide walks a beginner through what Wirecutter is, how they test and commission work, practical ways to build relevant samples and product-review skills, how to pitch or apply for freelance pieces, and how to turn a Wirecutter byline into recurring income. The plan is action-focused — so you can start today and build solid paid clips.
Key resources and links are included throughout so you can open the right pages, read the primary sources, and follow editor signals. If you want a printable version, copy this HTML into your editor and export as needed.
Section 1 · The publication
What Wirecutter actually is, and why it matters
Wirecutter is The New York Times’ product review and buying-advice site: it researches categories, tests products, and recommends the best choices for particular needs. Wirecutter’s format is usually: (a) define the problem or use case, (b) explain testing and selection, (c) recommend a small short list of picks, and (d) show how to use them. Wirecutter’s editorial model focuses on deep testing and clear recommendations for shoppers. That matters because editors prize demonstrated testing ability and trustworthiness.
Historically Wirecutter began independently and was acquired by The New York Times in 2016; today it’s part of the NYT stable and produces testing-led journalism, earning revenue via affiliate links and subscriptions while maintaining editorial independence.
Wirecutter editors value precise testing, reproducible setups, clear trade-offs (pros/cons), and writing that helps shoppers decide quickly. If you submit a review or pitch, focus on the real-world test you can run and the specific reader problem you solve.
People planning purchases: busy shoppers who want a clear answer. They appreciate short recommendations supported by rigorous testing, not long opinion pieces. Aim to save the reader time and error.
| Piece type | What Wirecutter wants | How you should approach it |
|---|---|---|
| New product review | Hands-on testing, comparisons, short-list recommendations | Show test protocol, results, and final picks with clear reasoning |
| Update to an existing review | Re-test key models, report changes in availability or performance | Be concise, show what changed and why the pick is different (or not) |
| Trend / buying guide | Explain category-level differences and who each pick fits | Use short case examples and comparisons |
- Open https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter and read 3–5 reviews in the category you want to write about.
- Note how Wirecutter structures “how we tested” and how they display picks and trade-offs.
Section 2 · Fit your idea
Is your idea Wirecutter-shaped?
A Wirecutter-shaped idea is concrete, replicable, and testable. Instead of “write about ‘smart speakers’ “, form a testable angle: “Which smart speaker gives the best voice recognition in noisy kitchens under ₹10,000?” — that shows a defined problem, a test environment, and a price or use-case constraint.
Does it solve a real shopper problem?
The reader should finish the article knowing what to buy and why. If your test doesn’t change what a shopper should buy, refine the idea.
Can you explain the test method clearly?
Wirecutter articles show a “how we tested” section. Plan your test: sample size, environment, repeatability, and measurement.
Can you show real results (data, photos, timings)?
Collect screenshots, photos, and simple data tables. If you can quantify performance (seconds, battery %, decibels, cost), do it.
Section 3 · Build a testing portfolio
How to create review samples that editors respect
Wirecutter hires writers who can run tests, interpret results, and explain tradeoffs. As a beginner, you can still build a strong portfolio by doing a few focused things:
- List the tools you’ll need: test environment, camera, measuring tool, scripts.
- Reuse the same protocol for several products so your results are comparable.
- Document your setup and include photos or short video clips (host on YouTube or Vimeo).
Editors want to see that you can finish articles. A finished, tested, well-documented sample is worth more than many rough attempts. If you can show that you can test and explain four products with a consistent method, you already have a small “testing portfolio.”
| What to publish | Where to publish | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Detailed review with photos & test notes | Your blog / Medium / Dev.to | Shows you can do the full cycle: test → write → publish |
| Short test summary + data sheet | GitHub / Google Sheets (public) | Proves your testing is reproducible and honest |
| Video demo of tests | YouTube / Vimeo / Loom | Editors love clips that quickly show methodology |
- Do a simple head-to-head test of 3 popular models and publish the write-up.
- Include a short “what I’d advise a friend to buy” takeaway.
- Link to raw files — spreadsheets, photos, or repo — so editors can see the work behind the conclusions.
Section 4 · Pitching & the workflow
How to pitch Wirecutter (step-by-step SOP)
Wirecutter’s commissioning process can vary — sometimes editors post requests, sometimes they assign updates, and sometimes they accept pitches. Below is a pragmatic workflow you can reuse for Wirecutter and similar product-review outlets.
Read Wirecutter (and the “how we test” sections) closely
Read 3–5 recent pieces in your target category and pay attention to the “how we tested” text and the format of the recommendations. Note tone, length, and how supporting visuals/data are presented.
Choose one tight testable question
Example: “Which budget robot vacuum actually cleans pet hair on low-pile carpets?” — not “robot vacuums are great.” The narrower the question, the clearer the test and the cleaner the pitch.
Prepare an outline + testing protocol
In your pitch, include a short outline and a concise “how I will test” box: sample size (n), test conditions, measurement, and how you’ll document results. Editors need to see you think like a tester, not like a marketer.
Show 2–3 writing samples and one testing sample
Link to your best technical article, a review you wrote, and any public data (GitHub, Google Sheet). If you have video demos, include a short link.
Send a crisp, short pitch
Keep the pitch short: 5–8 sentences summarizing the idea, why it matters, your testing plan, and links to samples. If you find an editor’s open call or beat, personalize the email to their interests and reference a recent related story.
Polite follow-up and plan B
If you don’t hear back in 2–4 weeks, you can send one short follow-up. If it still doesn’t land, publish your piece elsewhere (your blog/Medium/Dev.to) and reuse the sample when pitching elsewhere.
Section 5 · Money & rates
How writers get paid at Wirecutter (what to expect)
Actual payment amounts can vary by assignment, complexity, and the editor’s budget. Public freelance-market surveys and trade reporting suggest Wirecutter rates range depending on the task: short updates can be hundreds of dollars, while full new reviews and extensive rewrites command higher fees. Reported ranges from multiple market guides and job announcements place many assignments from a few hundred up to several thousand dollars, depending on scope.
- Short pieces/updates (reported): several hundred dollars.
- Significant updates or new reviews (reported): $1,500–$4,000 depending on complexity.
- Very small scout reports or quick posts: lower fees (several hundred).
These are public reports, aggregated by freelance-market guides and trade outlets — always confirm payment in writing with the editor.
- Estimate the hours: research + buying/test materials + tests + writing + revisions + photos.
- Divide proposed fee by hours to check your effective hourly rate — don’t accept assignments that pay less than your baseline.
- Ask about kill fees and payment terms (Net 30, Net 45) before starting work when possible.
| Assignment type | Reported range (public guides) | How to justify a higher fee |
|---|---|---|
| Small update / quick scout | ~$300–$600 | Speed, accuracy, and fast turnaround help justify the fee |
| Standard product review | $1,000–$2,500 | Hands-on testing across multiple models and clear data |
| New category deep review / rewrite | $2,500–$4,000+ | Extensive tests, photography, and reporting time |
Section 6 · Ethics, testing & transparency
How to test, how to disclose, and what not to do
Wirecutter’s value proposition is trust — readers must believe the testing and the recommendations. As a freelance tester/reviewer you must be careful about conflicts of interest and disclosure.
- Do not accept seller money that could bias your reporting without full disclosure.
- Do not invent test results, claims, or fabrication of user surveys.
- Do not re-use other sites’ test data as if it’s your own unless you clearly cite and explain methodology differences.
- Document every step of your test, keep raw files, and be ready to share them if requested by an editor.
- Disclose any product loans, review units, or conflicts of interest clearly.
- Use a consistent test protocol and explain any deviations when necessary.
If Wirecutter or The New York Times supplies a test unit, follow the contract terms about disclosure and return (if any). When in doubt, be transparent — editors prefer that.
Section 7 · Micro-SOP before you pitch
Short checklist to follow every time
Section 8 · Frequently asked beginner questions
Quick answers + many useful links
- Wirecutter homepage (NYT) — read recent reviews and “how we tested” sections.
- NYT Wirecutter Freelance Market Guide (AHCJ) — detailed freelance-rate & onboarding insights.
- Wirecutter — Wikipedia background — historical and business context.
- Wirecutter job/hiring call examples (Talking Biz News).
- Litworth markets: Wirecutter pay & listings — public rate reports and contact hints.
- Wirecutter on YouTube — testing & behind-the-scenes clips.
- Pitching & editor-call roundups (FreedomWithWriting).
- Nieman Lab — pitching and newsroom advice.