How to Write News Articles That Get Published: Tips, Mistakes to Avoid & Submission Guidelines

28 Apr 2025

Published in: Black Country Chamber of Commerce News

Building on our last post about engaging blogs, this blog explores the key elements and techniques for writing compelling and credible news articles.

In the previous blog, we covered the essential guidelines for writing an engaging blog. In this blog, we will delve into the important factors and insights needed to write compelling news articles.

Read on to access our recommended checklist for submitting an entry for our Prosper magazine - our quarterly magazine that’s distributed to all Black Country Chamber members and is available at meetings and events.

Explore:

Why should you write news articles?
The difference between news articles and blogs.
What makes a good news article?
The dos & don’ts of news writing.

We hope that, by reading our blogs, you feel more confident to submit news articles and blogs that target your audience effectively and strengthen your content strategy.

Why should you write News Articles?

Announce important business changes

News articles allow you to stay relevant in the fast-paced world of business. Companies who consistently announce new events, achievements, and opportunities demonstrate the ability to evolve, building a strong reputation.

Start a conversation

Posting engaging and relevant news stories can create conversation and spark new business solutions. It can capture the attention of other businesses that might be interested in collaboration, while also presenting your business in a positive light.

Add deeper analysis of an event

Publishing a news story can give you the opportunity to offer a detailed breakdown of events you've attended or hosted. A well-crafted article can encourage your audience to attend future events, boosting engagement.

News Articles vs Blogs

As mentioned in our previous blog, there is a clear difference between writing news stories and writing blogs. Understanding the distinction between the two is key to using each effectively.

News stories are essential for keeping your audience informed, while blogs can help boost engagement and dig deeper on topics your company is passionate about. This quick comparison will help you understand how to make the most of both formats.

Content Piece	Aim	Structure	Word Count
Blog	Inform Engage	Conversational Semi Formal	600 - 2,500 words
News Articles	Report Facts Share Achievements or announcements	Neutral Third Person Formal	300 - 600 words

The best way to decide which type of content to produce is by analysing your business objectives and identifying what aligns with your strategy.

What makes a good News Article?

Hook the readers with a main lead

Influence your readers to stay in your news article by hooking them in with setting the tone and lead of the subject. Start strong by answering the Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How of the story. This formula will give readers a clear picture and keep them engaged throughout the piece.

Conduct thorough research

A credible news article is backed by solid research. Use expert quotes, reports, and industry publications to ensure your facts are accurate. Always verify the details to avoid errors.

Quick tip: Including interviews from within your business can offer a unique perspective on the topic.

Maintain a formal tone

News articles demand a more formal approach than blogs, particularly when addressing serious matters. While keeping the language simple and accessible, avoid a casual or overly conversational tone. When creating any form of content, it’s important to maintain your brand’s tone of voice throughout. As you write, aim for a balanced and consistent tone to clearly communicate your message.

Quick tip: To aim for a clear and professional tone, read your article out loud to check it sounds objective and neutral, not chatty or informal.

Establish a story

A well-structured news article should have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Start by setting the scene, follow with the facts, and conclude by offering insights into future developments. This structure helps you stay concise and focused.

News Writing dos & don’ts

Dos

Prioritise accuracy: Ensure your facts are well-supported and relevant.
Use hyperlinks: Linking to credible sources boosts SEO and builds authority.
Know your audience: Tailor your content to topics that resonate with your readers.

Don’ts:

Don’t be biased: Keep the tone neutral and ensure your readers can engage with the content.
Don’t ignore the headline: A weak or generic headline can turn off readers before they read your piece.
Don’t overload with details: While facts are crucial, it can overwhelm the reader when used too much. Stick to key facts that provide clarity.

Our Prosper Magazine

Why submit an entry?

Our quarterly magazine is a trusted source for news, analysis, insights and commentary on subjects that matter to Black Country businesses. It’s distributed to Black Country Chamber of Commerce members and

to key strategic contacts and locations around Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton.

Each edition features:

Member news stories.
Chamber updates.
Policy commentary.
Training and events.

Looking for inspiration? Read our latest edition here

Prosper Submission Checklist

To be considered for publication, your submission should follow these guidelines:

Business news should reflect something newsworthy and not an advertisement for your business.
Examples of articles we like to see include award wins, business growth, partnership stories, customer wins, community news stories.
Articles must be clear to read and written in the third person.
Articles should include a headline and can include your website address at the end of the article.
Word count: no longer than 250 words (we reserve the right to edit news releases).
Please ensure your submission is in a Word Document format.
Images must be high resolution (at least 1MB) relate to your article and include a caption.

Follow us on social media to stay up to date on our submission deadlines. When they are open, submit your entry to prosper@blackcountrychamber.co.uk.

Please keep in mind that:

All submitted articles will be considered for publication once the copy deadline has passed.
Due to the volume of press releases received, there is no guarantee of inclusion in Prosper can be made.
The editor’s decision is final.

Conclusion

Submitting news articles ensures that your business stays current and informed on the latest industry trends. Announcing your business activities and insights will help you connect with your audience and keep them engaged. By following these guidelines, you can become a credible source of information that keeps readers coming back for more. If you’re looking for inspiration, check out the news section on our website to see how other members share their stories. We look forward to seeing your submissions in our inbox!