MC-Guide

Content Writing

Website 162: amny.com

How Can You Earn Money Writing For amny.com Website

This guide shows you, step by step, how a beginner can learn to pitch and sell stories to amny.com

You will learn what amny.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.

Local News · 01 Beginner Friendly Target: amNY / Schneps Media

How to Pitch & Write for amNY (amNewYork) — A Beginner’s Guide to Getting Published Locally

This guide walks you through everything a beginner needs to know to research, pitch, write, and publish newsy, useful, neighborhood-focused pieces for amNY — the fast, local New York news site covering Manhattan and the city’s neighborhoods. You will learn what kinds of stories amNY runs, how to craft a pitch that editors will read, where to send your idea, how to prepare publication-ready copy, and practical steps to turn local bylines into paid work or a portfolio that wins freelance gigs.

This is intentionally pragmatic: short paragraphs, checklists, sample pitches, and a final “micro-SOP” you can reuse every time you pitch. Links in the resources sections point you to the amNY contact forms and the Schneps Media pages that handle submissions, events, advertising, and jobs.

Section 1 · What amNY publishes

Know the beat: local, fast, people-first reporting

amNY focuses on neighborhood news, transit, crime, city government, dining & nightlife, events, sports highlights, and short service-orientated pieces that help New Yorkers navigate their city: transit alerts, weekend roundups, restaurant openings, community meetings, event listings, and local features. The site is part of a broader Schneps Media network and is oriented toward readers who want timely, practical coverage of Manhattan and New York City life.

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Common amNY story categories

Breaking or developing local news (short, verified updates)
Community events and neighborhood guides
Transit & transportation updates, MTA impacts
Food openings, restaurant reviews, local business profiles
Human interest: neighborhood characters and civic wins
Sports recaps, especially local teams and community athletics

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Reader profile

The typical amNY reader is a Manhattan or NYC resident or commuter who values short, useful pieces — not long investigative files (those exist, but most amNY articles are concise), quick how-tos, and clear local relevance (which street, which subway, which neighborhood). If your story answers “So what does this mean for my neighborhood?” it’s in the right zone.

Quick tip: before you pitch, read 3–5 recent stories on amNY in the category you want to write for. Notice length, headline style, and how reporters structure the lede.

Section 2 · Is your idea a local story?

Make it local and timely — the two strongest signals for a yes

To run on amNY your idea should be either (a) narrowly local (neighborhood event, local business, street-level transit change) or (b) a service-style story with direct benefit to New Yorkers (how to handle a specific borough-level process, where to find free testing, how to cash stimulus or municipal resources). General national topics rarely land.

Check 1 — Local impact

Ask: “Who in Manhattan or this particular neighborhood will need to know this tomorrow?” If you can name a street, a train line, a specific community center, you are local.

Check 2 — Timeliness

Is there a specific development, date, or event? Rolling audits, press conferences, permit approvals, and openings are much easier to place than general “how-to” features.

Check 3 — Verification & sources

Local news needs local sources: a named official, a community board email, a public notice, a restaurant owner, or a booking page. If your idea rests on a single unverified rumor, build the sourcing first.

Exercise: Write one sharp sentence: “This amNY article will tell Manhattan residents how to ______ by ______.” If that sentence names a place or a clear action, you are on the right path.

Section 3 · Build quick local reporting clips

How to make 3–5 short clips (samples) that prove you can write local news

Editors at local newsrooms want to see that you can: find a local angle, verify facts, quote sources, and turn reporting into crisp copy. You can build those skills fast with a short plan and publishable samples.

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Easy sample ideas

Event roundup: 6 things to do this weekend in [Neighborhood] (link to event pages, times).
Local business profile: Interview a café owner about how they survived a recent rent hike.
Transit note: Short update about a scheduled service change with MTA links.
Community bulletin: Coverage of a community board meeting with key quotes and next steps.

Publish these on a personal blog, Dev.to, Medium, or even on LinkedIn — the link is important, not the domain.

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Collections & evidence

Always include links to primary sources: permits, calendars, meeting minutes, MTA advisories, business pages, and screenshots of announcements. A GitHub repo isn’t necessary for local news — good sourcing and crisp quotes are.

Sample	Purpose	Publish Where
Event roundup	Shows curation skills & accuracy	Own blog / Events listing
Business profile	Shows interviewing + narrative	Medium / Local blog
Transit update	Demonstrates timeliness & sourcing	Twitter thread + blog link

Tip: Save each piece as a clean, shareable link. Editors like to click and read — make the sample short, accurate, and well formatted.

Section 4 · Pitch step-by-step

How to pitch amNY (typeform + practical email template)

amNY’s Contact Us page points contributors to a submission form (a Schneps Media Typeform) for editorial story ideas and local events. That is the official pathway for story ideas and makes your pitch more discoverable than an unsolicited cold email to a random inbox. Use the form for story ideas, and use the event calendar form for events. Links to both are in the resources section below.

Step 1 — Prepare a one-paragraph pitch

Keep it short. A strong pitch contains:

Headline idea: One crisp sentence (what the story is).
Lede sentence: The news hook and why it matters now.
Why amNY readers: Who cares and which neighborhood is affected.
Sources & links: Two verified items (a press release, meeting notice, MTA advisory, owner quote).
Sample clip link: One link to your best local writing sample.

Step 2 — Use the official form

Follow the “Submit a story idea” link on amNY’s Contact page (the site points to a Schneps Media typeform). Fill in the requested fields carefully, paste your one-paragraph pitch, include links, and attach images if the form allows. This form is the standard intake for Schneps Media editorial staff and helps route your idea to the right editor.

Step 3 — If you prefer email, send a short message

If you find an editor’s direct email (for example via masthead or Twitter), keep the email shorter than a longer doc. Editors are busy:

Subject: Pitch: [Headline idea] — [Neighborhood] — quick links

Hi [Editor name],

I’d like to pitch a short amNY story: [one-line headline idea].

Why: [one-sentence hook — e.g., "A permit was filed to convert the storefront at 123 Broadway into a 24-hour cafe, which could change late-night foot traffic in Midtown."]

I have: [source A link], [owner quote available? yes/no], and a short sample: [link to your sample].

If you’re interested I can send a 300–700 word draft today with photos and captions.

Thanks for considering — [Your name] • [phone] • [link to samples]

Note: only send full drafts if asked. For local news, editors often prefer a quick intake and then a short assignment.

Step 4 — Follow up once, politely

If you used the typeform and don’t hear back in 10–14 days, a short polite follow-up by the same channel or via a friendly email (if you have an editor’s address) is reasonable. Keep follow-ups brief, restate the one-line pitch, and offer to send a draft.

Remember: the Contact page is the official channel for story ideas and event submissions. Use it — it routes your pitch through the publisher’s editorial intake. (See resources section for direct links.)

Section 5 · Writing the piece that runs

Local news style: short paragraphs, strong lede, named sources

Local news is a discipline of precision and speed. Editors at amNY and similar outlets expect:

A clear lede: First sentence: who, what, where, when, why. Keep it tight — readers skim.
Named sources: If someone says something, name them and include their title or role (e.g., “Council Member Jane Doe”).
Attribution & links: Link to public documents, permits, MTA pages, event pages, or press releases supporting your claims.
Short blocks: Paragraphs often 1–3 sentences. Use subheads for longer explainers.
Actionable info: Always include the “what now?” — where to go, who to call, when something happens.

Suggested length

Most amNY pieces are concise: 300–900 words for news/updates, 700–1,200 words for feature or neighborhood profiles. When in doubt, ask the editor for a desired word count.

Quick editing checklist: facts verified? names spelled correctly? quotes attributed? time/date/location correct? image captions and credits included?

Section 6 · Photos, captions, and legal checks

Photos and permissions — what to include and how to credit

Good photos increase your chance of publication. Use original photos or get explicit permission. If you can’t supply original images, link to public images (with credit) or ask the editor whether stock or press photos are acceptable.

Photo rules of thumb

Label each image with a short caption and a credit line (e.g., “John Smith / amNY” or “Provided by Acme Bakery”).
If a subject is a private person in a private space (someone’s home), get written permission to publish the photo.
For public events or public places, photos are usually fine, but be cautious with sensitive subjects — ask the editor.

Legal & ethics

Do not invent quotes or fabricate results.
Disclose any conflicts of interest (you work for the business you’re writing about, etc.).
Do not reuse copyrighted images without permission.

If in doubt: ask. Editors appreciate transparency. Attach image files with your pitch if the form allows, or include clear links to downloadable images.

Section 7 · Money, rights, and reuse

Do local sites pay? What to expect and how to negotiate

Payment structures vary. Some local news outlets engage freelancers for short fees per piece or pay per assignment. Others commission staff-written pieces. amNY is part of Schneps Media, a local publishing network that runs editorial and brand content; for brand-sponsored pieces the payment model is different and handled via advertising/brand-content channels. If you hope to be paid, ask the editor or assignment contact up front about fee policies and whether they can offer payment for your contribution.

How to ask about pay

When an editor expresses interest, say: “I’m happy to draft a 600–800 word piece. Do you have a payment rate for freelance contributors or is this unpaid?”
If they have a rate sheet, ask for it. If not, propose a modest fee and be ready to negotiate based on complexity and photos.
Keep clear records of agreements (email confirmation is fine) and ask when to expect payment if accepted.

Rights & reuse: Ask whether the piece is first serial rights only, exclusive for a short period, or rights you can republish later on your personal site. Different agreements mean different reuse rules.

Section 8 · Final micro-SOP & templates

Quick SOP: from idea → pitch → publish (repeatable)

Idea — write one sentence: “This piece tells [who] how to [do/understand] in [neighborhood].”
Sources check — collect two verifiable links and one named contact/quote.
Sample — ensure you have one published local clip to link to (even short event roundups count).
Pitch — fill amNY’s editorial typeform or send one-paragraph pitch to editor (if contact known).
Draft only if asked — editors often want a short intake; offer a draft if asked and then deliver promptly.
Follow up — polite, once after 10–14 days if needed. Reuse the idea elsewhere if declined.

Short pitch template (paste into Typeform or email)

Headline idea: [One clear headline — 8–12 words]

Why now: [One-sentence hook — e.g., "The DOB issued permits for a new 24/7 cafe at 123 Broadway after noise-variance approval."]

Who it affects: [Which neighborhood or commuting groups?]

Key sources/links:
- Permit / public doc: [link]
- Owner / official available to comment: [name & role, phone/email]
My sample: [link to 1–2 previous local pieces]

If you'd like, I can send a 400–800 word draft with photos and captions within 24–48 hours.

Thanks — [Your name] • [phone] • [link to portfolio]

Section 9 · FAQ & Resources

Common beginner questions answered + useful links

Can a complete beginner get a byline on amNY?

Yes — if your story is local, accurate, and sourced. Editors often hire or accept pieces from people who know a neighborhood and can produce crisp copy + photos. Build a few short samples first.

Where exactly do I send a pitch?

Use amNY’s Contact page “Submit a story idea” link (this routes through a Schneps Media editorial intake form). For events, use the events submission page. If an editor’s email is publicly available, you may pitch directly but the form is the official intake channel.

How long before I hear back?

Response times vary. Local outlets get many tips; if you don’t hear back in 10–14 days, a short follow-up is fine. If no reply after that, adapt the idea for another local outlet.

Direct links & resources (open these in new tabs):

Final encouragement: Local reporting is a superpower. Start with something small you can verify, package it clearly, use the official submission channels, and repeat. Each small clip raises your chance of the next acceptance.