Guide: How to Earn Money Writing in the Digital Trends Style (Step by Step)

Apply for an open role or freelance opening

Digital Trends is part of Digital Trends Media Group. They list roles on DTMG Jobs. If you want to get paid by DT/DTMG, this is the cleanest path.

• Look for “Freelance Writer”, “Freelance Editor”, “Staff Writer”, “Commerce Writer”.
• Apply with 3–6 links to your best clips (writing samples).
• Include a short note that you write in a consumer-helpful style (buying guides, how-to, reviews).

Why this works: editors already have budgets and workflows for these roles.

Build DT-quality clips, then pitch other paying outlets

Even if you never publish on Digital Trends, you can still earn by writing in the same quality level. DT-style clips are strong portfolio pieces. You can pitch:

• Other tech sites that pay for how-tos and reviews.
• Company blogs that need product explainers.
• Startups that want “best practices” and user guides.

Your pitch becomes stronger because your samples show real structure, real testing, and real clarity.

Publish DT-style content on your own blog and monetize

You can build your own site and write:

• Buying guides (“best earbuds under $50”).
• How-to guides (“how to fix Wi-Fi dropouts”).
• Comparisons (“OLED vs QLED for sports”).

Then monetize with affiliate links, ads, sponsorships, or paid newsletters. DT’s structure is perfect for search traffic and buyer intent.

Write “support content” for brands (paid) using DT clarity

Many brands pay for:

• Help center articles and tutorials.
• Feature launch blog posts.
• User onboarding guides and FAQs.
• Comparison pages (“plan A vs plan B”).

These are not “journalism”, but they pay well. DT-style writing makes you better at this work, because you learn clarity and structure.

News: write fast, but never guess

News writing earns because it is consistent. But you must be careful: a wrong number or wrong context breaks trust fast.

• Start with “what happened” in one sentence.
• Then add context: why it matters and who it affects.
• Link primary sources: official company post, release notes, court doc, policy page.
• Add 1–3 practical impacts: what users should do now.

Practice idea: Choose one weekly area (for example, AI tools). Follow it daily. Write a short summary and link sources.

How-to: the best beginner entry point

How-to articles are beginner-friendly because you can test them yourself. That is the key: test first, write second.

• Use clear steps with headings (“Step 1”, “Step 2”).
• Include exact menus and button names.
• Add “if you don’t see this option” troubleshooting.
• End with a quick summary and related links.

Study: browse How-To Guides and copy the structure: short intro, direct steps, clean conclusion.

Best products: list + reasons + alternatives

A “best products” article is not a random list. It is a decision system. You should explain the criteria and give readers confidence.

• Start with your “top pick” and why it wins.
• Add 4–8 alternatives for different needs (budget, premium, small rooms, travel).
• Include a “how we chose” section and a “what to look for” section.
• Update the post when new models arrive.

Study: Best Products. Notice how they separate recommendations by reader type.

Deals: speed + accuracy + clear constraints

Deals writing is a special skill. Prices change quickly. You must show:

• What the deal is and the discount.
• Where it is sold (reliable retailer).
• Why it is worth it (compare to typical price).
• When it might end (if known).

Study: Best Deals and notice how short and clear it is.

Define the reader question in one sentence

Before you open 20 tabs, write one sentence:

• “Which budget phone is best for battery under X price?”
• “How do I stop spam calls on Android 14?”
• “Should I buy OLED or QLED for sports?”
• “What changed in the new ChatGPT feature?”

If you cannot write the reader question, your article will become messy.

Collect primary sources first (not opinions)

Primary sources are:

• Official product pages and spec sheets.
• Release notes, documentation, support pages.
• Statements from the company (blog, newsroom, press release).
• Direct tests you do yourself.

Rule: If your article is based only on other blogs, it becomes weak and risky. Use other blogs only for extra context, not as the foundation.

Make a “proof box” for every key claim

For every important claim, add proof:

• Claim: “Battery lasts all day.”
• Proof: your test time + screen-on time + usage notes.
• Alternative: “If you need gaming, choose this instead.”

A DT-quality piece has proof for the big claims. This is how you avoid writing “fluffy” articles.

Build a simple outline before you write paragraphs

Use a small outline like:

• Intro (what + why it matters)
• What changed / what it is
• Who it is for
• How to do it / which one to buy
• Common problems and fixes
• Final recommendation

Then you fill it with facts. This keeps writing fast and clean.

Define your test scenarios (real life, not lab fantasy)

• For phones: calls, camera in daylight/night, battery day, 5G/Wi-Fi, heat during gaming.
• For laptops: typing, screen brightness, battery, fan noise, ports, charging, web tasks, light gaming.
• For TVs: brightness, motion, black levels, upscaling, UI speed, remote usability.

You are not trying to impress with big words. You are trying to show the reader what it feels like to use the product.

Keep a test log while you use the product

• Write short notes: “Battery: 7 hours mixed use; 45% left at 5pm.”
• Record problems: “Bluetooth dropped twice on the train.”
• Capture proof: screenshots, photos, short videos, benchmark results if relevant.

This log becomes your review’s “truth source”.

Translate your log into reader language

Readers don’t care about your notes. They care about the conclusion. So you translate like:

• “It lasted a full workday with browsing and calls.”
• “The keyboard feels comfortable for long writing sessions.”
• “Motion looks smooth for sports.”

But you still keep test details available to support your claims.

Write the verdict with trade-offs

• Who should buy it
• Who should not buy it
• The best alternative at similar price
• One or two “watch-outs” (downsides)

This is how you build trust and sound like a real reviewer.

Pick one area and commit to it

Digital Trends covers many topics. But beginners win by specializing. Choose one:

• AI (ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, AI PCs)
• Phones (Android/iPhone, apps, tips)
• Computing (Windows, laptops, software)
• Gaming (guides, hardware, releases)
• Audio/Video (TVs, streaming services)

Then write 3–6 samples in that area.

Prepare a “clip pack” (your best links)

A clip pack is a small set of links that prove you can do the work:

• 2 how-to guides (tested steps)
• 1 comparison (versus)
• 1 news-style post (with sources)
• Optional: 1 buying guide or review

Put them in a Google Doc or Notion page with short notes (what you did, what device/version you tested).

Write a short cover note (not a long biography)

Editors want signals. They don’t want a life story. Your cover note should include:

• What you write (topic + formats)
• What you tested (devices/software)
• How fast you can deliver (realistic)
• Links to clips
• Any relevant experience (support writing, tech background, etc.)

Submit, then follow up politely

After you apply, wait. If you do not hear back, you can follow up once, politely, with a short reminder and your clip pack link. Then you move on and keep publishing. Your clips will keep improving.