# Create a lean, no‑fluff version of the Publication Research SOP in the same Course 4.9 code style,
# focused ONLY on: (1) how to read a site’s tone/sections/lengths/guidelines and (2) how this SOP + content writing make money.
# Then save as a single HTML file.
from bs4 import BeautifulSoup, Comment
html = “””
“””
soup = BeautifulSoup(html, “html.parser”)
# Add readable comment banners for non-coders
if soup.body:
soup.body.insert(0, Comment(” ===== COURSE 4.9 · LEAN EDITION: Start of content ===== “))
soup.body.append(Comment(” ===== End of content ===== “))
path = “/mnt/data/course-4.9-publication-research-sop-LEAN.html”
with open(path, “w”, encoding=”utf-8″) as f:
f.write(soup.prettify(formatter=”html”))
path
Lean Publication Research SOP
Read a site’s tone, sections, lengths, and guidelines — and turn that research into money
You want to write for paying publications. This lean SOP keeps only what you need: how to read tone, sections, lengths, and guidelines before pitching, and how this research converts into steady money with fewer edits and faster acceptances.
Only essentialsNo templatesData-collection firstMoney-focused
Scope
What to collect (and nothing else)
| Item | How to read it fast | What you write (1 line) |
|---|---|---|
| Tone | Open 2 recent pieces → count “you/they,” avg words/sentence, any humor | “Tone: [casual/formal]; energy [calm/punchy]; humor [low/med/high].” |
| Sections + Format | Open section page → note pattern labels on latest 10 heds (News/Explainer/Feature/Opinion/Review) | “Format: [Explainer] for [Section]; pattern [Hook→Context→How→Why now→Wrap].” |
| Length | Sample 3–5 live articles in the target section | “Typical length: [range] words; subheads ~ every 150–250 words.” |
| Guidelines | Find Pitch/Write for us → copy limits, submission path, response window, payment/rights | “Submit via [email/form], respond in [X days], payment [if given], rights [phrase].” |
10-Minute Flow
10-minute publication research (minute-by-minute)
- 0:00–1:00 Open Home, About, Guidelines, target Section.
- 1:00–3:00 About → mission verbs + who they serve → write 1 line in plain English.
- 3:00–5:00 Section page → label last 10 headlines by pattern.
- 5:00–7:00 Two recent articles → tone measures (you/they, sentence length, humor).
- 7:00–8:30 Sample 3 live pieces → typical length + subhead cadence.
- 8:30–10:00 Guidelines → submission path, response window, payment/rights mention.
Write full sentences. Future-you should pitch without reopening tabs.
Tone
Tone decoder (3 tiny numbers)
| Measure | How | Your note |
|---|---|---|
| Pronoun ratio | Count “you” vs “they/us” in first 6 paragraphs | “More you = conversational; I will mirror that lightly.” |
| Sentence length | Pick 1 paragraph → average words | “Aim for ~[N] words per sentence to match pace.” |
| Humor presence | Mark low/med/high and why it’s used | “Humor: [low]; only to clarify, not to decorate.” |
Structure
Section & format picker (fast)
| Section | Pattern | Evidence style | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| News | Update → 2–3 context bullets → What next | 1 quote or 1 stat | 400–800 |
| Explainer | Hook → Context → How it works → Why now → Wrap | Numbers + 1 expert + 1 example | 1000–1800 |
| Feature | Scene → Nut graf → 3–5 sections → Kicker | Multiple sources, quotes | 1800–3000+ |
| Opinion | Thesis → Evidence → Counter → Implications | Studies + logic chain | 900–1500 |
| Review/Guide | Context → Testing/Steps → Verdict/Summary | Hands-on notes or steps | 800–1800 |
Scope
Length quick‑check (protect your time)
| Step | What you confirm | Why it makes money |
|---|---|---|
| Open 3–5 live pieces | Majority word range | Prevents feature work inside a short fee |
| Scan subheads | Every 150–250 words | Fewer edits due to rhythm match |
| Check visuals | 1 proof (chart/pull-quote) | Higher perceived quality → faster acceptance |
Rules
Guidelines capture (copy → paraphrase → act)
| Signal | Copy exact words | Plain-English note |
|---|---|---|
| What they publish | “We publish…” topics | Pitch only inside this boundary |
| Lengths/Formats | Word ranges + accepted formats | Match section + pattern above |
| Submission path | Email/Form + required fields | Zero-error submission checklist |
| Response window | “We try to respond in X days” | Follow-up after X + 7 days |
| Payment/Rights | Rate, schedule, web rights text | Invoice plan + reuse boundaries |
If a field is missing, write “confirm at acceptance” so you do not forget to ask at the right moment.
Coverage
Archive check (avoid duplicates, find the “why now”)
- Search site:[domain] “keyword” (+ year if needed).
- Open anything from last 24 months.
- Write: “Closest overlap is [link]; my angle is [new lens/why now].”
Money
How this SOP makes money (directly and fast)
| Mechanism | What you do | Money effect |
|---|---|---|
| Fit → Acceptance | Match tone + section + length in your pitch | Higher acceptance rate → more paid pieces |
| Scope control | State length and format upfront | Prevents unpaid extra reporting |
| Fewer edits | Mirror house rhythm and proof style | Faster approvals → quicker invoices |
| Follow-up rhythm | Use response window + 7 days | More assignments without nagging |
| Clip compounding | Add each win to portfolio + link 3 related clips | Higher rates over time |
Simple ROI math
- If 1 in 5 cold pitches land → this SOP lifts fit so you reach 2 in 5. At $250/article, that is +$250 per 5 pitches.
- Edits drop from 2 rounds to 1 → you free ~2 hours/article. At a $50/hour target, that is another $100 value.
- Scope guard avoids accidental feature work once a month → protects $200–$400 of time.
Money paths for content writing
- One-off fees: Standard per-article rate; pitch 2–3 per week.
- Retainers: Monthly 2–4 pieces for one section → less prospecting, steady cash.
- Packages: “Mini series” (3 explainers) priced as one scope.
- Derivative rights (when allowed): Turn research into a newsletter thread or updated guide after exclusivity window.
- Affiliate tie-ins (only if editorially allowed): Reviews/guides with disclosures; do not force it where guidelines disallow.
Bottom line: Research → Fit → Acceptance → On-time draft → Quick invoice → Portfolio growth → Higher rates.
Checklist
One-page checklist (print and keep)
| Area | Action | Done |
|---|---|---|
| Tone | you/they, sentence length, humor level written | â–ˇ |
| Section + Format | Pattern chosen from 10 latest heds | â–ˇ |
| Length | Range confirmed from 3–5 live pieces | □ |
| Guidelines | Submission path, response window, payment/rights noted | â–ˇ |
| Archive | Closest overlap + why-now line | â–ˇ |
| Pitch line | 1 sentence stating format, section, length, why now | â–ˇ |