In this article
Welcome to the world of media & writing
Whether you have a way with words and a point of view, or you want to understand a coveted writing role, this guide covers what a columnist actually does, the skills, the day-to-day, and the honest upsides and downsides.
General description
A columnist writes a regular opinion or commentary column for a publication. In simple terms: they write regular columns that inform, provoke, and entertain. Think of them as the voice with an opinion.
- Write regular columns
- Share opinion and analysis
- Engage and provoke readers
- Build a personal voice and following
Key skills & qualifications
Hard skills
Soft skills
- Voice — a column lives on perspective
- Writing skill — sharp, engaging prose
- Opinion — you take a view
- Insight — saying something worth reading
- Discipline — regular deadlines
- Thick skin — columns draw criticism
Education & qualifications
No degree required — columnists earn their slot through writing talent, a track record, and a distinctive voice, with a strong portfolio mattering most.
Typical responsibilities
- Writing — regular columns
- Opinion — taking a view
- Analysis — insight and commentary
- Engagement — provoking readers
- Voice — a personal perspective
- Deadlines — delivering reliably
Responsibilities by seniority
Writer / Journalist
0–8 years
- Writes and reports
- Builds a portfolio
- Develops a voice
- Toward a column
- Building a name
Columnist
8–15 years
- Writes a regular column
- Builds a following
- Shares opinion
- Trusted voice
- Specialising
Senior / Star Columnist
15+ years
- Prominent column
- Strong influence
- Recognised name
- Sets the agenda
- Top of the craft
Where columnists work
📰 Newspapers
Print and online.
💻 Online media
Digital publications.
📓 Magazines
Magazine columns.
🎙️ Specialist media
Trade and niche.
🌍 Syndication
Multiple outlets.
🚀 Independent
Newsletters, Substack.
A day in the life
Reading and thinking — finding the angle for this week's column from the news and the world.
Writing — crafting a sharp, engaging argument with a distinctive voice.
Editing and sharpening, making every line earn its place.
Engaging with readers and reaction, the dialogue a good column starts.
Column written, opinion shared, readers provoked. The voice with an opinion. That's the job.
What this job gives you
- Coveted, influential role
- A personal voice and following
- Creative and intellectual
- No degree needed
- Flexible and remote
Pros & cons
✅ Advantages
- Coveted, influential role
- A personal voice and following
- Creative and intellectual
- No degree needed
- Flexible and remote
- Real influence
- Build your own brand
❌ Disadvantages
- Hard to break into
- Public criticism and scrutiny
- Relentless deadlines
- Pressure to stay fresh
- Insecure in a tough industry
- Exposure to abuse online
Salary potential — global rating
Rated against all professions globally, where ★★★★★★★★★★ = top 1% earners:
Career growth paths
- Senior Columnist — prominent column
- Author — write books
- Broadcaster — TV and radio
- Editor — editorial leadership
- Newsletter / Substack — independent platform
- Commentator — media commentary
Columnist vs related roles
Here's how some neighbouring roles compare.
| Role | Core focus | Note | Pay | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columnist You are here | Writes regular opinion columns | Writing, voice | Baseline | Medium |
| Journalist | Reports and writes news | Reporting, writing | Lower-similar | Medium |
| Copywriter | Writes persuasive copy | Writing, craft | Lower | Accessible |
| Editor | Edits and commissions content | Editing, judgement | Similar | Medium |
| Content Manager | Manages content | Content, strategy | Lower-similar | Medium |
Scroll the table sideways on mobile. Pay comparisons are directional and vary by market and seniority.
Future outlook
While media is under pressure, a distinctive voice still draws readers, keeping skilled columnists valued — especially those who build a loyal, independent following.
- A distinctive voice draws readers
- Opinion and analysis are valued
- Independent platforms empower writers
- Strong writing endures
- Niche but coveted demand
Fun facts 🤓
A columnist's voice and opinion are the whole product.
Great columns start conversations and shape opinion.
It's earned through talent and a track record, not a degree.
Newsletters and platforms let columnists build independent followings.
A top columnist can become a recognised name with real influence.
Myths about this role
"Columnists just share opinions."
❌ They craft sharp, researched arguments with a distinctive voice.
"Anyone can write a column."
❌ Earning and keeping a regular slot is extremely competitive.
"It's easy money."
❌ It's relentless deadlines and constant public scrutiny.
"It's a dying role."
❌ Independent platforms are creating new opportunities for voices.
"You need a journalism degree."
❌ No — talent, voice, and a track record matter most.
Is this job right for you?
✅ Good fit if you...
- Have a distinctive voice
- Write sharply and engagingly
- Have opinions and insight
- Can handle criticism
- Are disciplined with deadlines
- Want influence and a following
❌ Maybe not for you if...
- You dislike public scrutiny
- You can't meet deadlines
- You have no strong viewpoint
- You want job security
- You dislike writing
- You avoid controversy
Coveted & voice-driven
Columnist is a coveted, voice-driven writing career, where a distinctive perspective and sharp writing turn a regular slot into real influence, with independent platforms opening new routes to a following.
✅ Advantages
- Coveted, influential role
- A personal voice and following
- Creative and intellectual
- No degree needed
- Build your own brand
❌ Challenges
- Hard to break into
- Public criticism and scrutiny
- Relentless deadlines
- Pressure to stay fresh
- Exposure to abuse online
How to get started
- Build a writing career journalism, blogging, or freelance.
- Develop a distinctive voice what makes you worth reading.
- Build a portfolio and track record prove your writing.
- Earn a regular slot or build your own platform.
- Advance senior columnist, author, or broadcaster.
What to know before you start
- They craft researched arguments, not just opinions
- Earning a regular slot is extremely competitive
- No degree needed — talent and voice matter
- Independent platforms create new opportunities
- It draws criticism — a thick skin is essential
- A top columnist gains real influence
From the field
The same lessons come up again and again from people actually doing the job:
People think columnists just share their opinions off the cuff. A good column is crafted — researched, argued, and written with a distinctive voice that makes it worth reading. The opinion is the easy part; making it sharp, fresh, and engaging week after week is the skill.
Columnist · 10 years in
It's coveted and extremely competitive — earning a regular slot takes years of writing and a voice that stands out. And it comes with relentless deadlines and constant public scrutiny; you need a thick skin. But the influence and the platform are like nothing else in writing.
Columnist · 12 years in
Independent platforms changed everything. You no longer need a newspaper to hand you a column — writers build their own followings on newsletters and Substack now. A distinctive voice that readers trust can become a real, independent brand and business.
Independent columnist · 8 years in