Sell your story to the press

Want to sell your story to the press? Tell Jam Press what happened and share any photos or video you have. Our editorial team assesses real-life experiences and original news material for potential publication and licensing.

You do not need to write a newspaper article. Start with your own account in a few paragraphs: what happened, when, where and why it matters. We can then assess the story and ask about the details.

Read the contributor agreement linked from the submission form before sending your material: accepting it grants rights to use the content. If you want to discuss suitability, privacy or payment before agreeing, contact the Jam Press team first.

Updated 13 November 2026.

How can Jam Press help me sell my story?

Jam Press assesses real-life stories, original photos and video for news and editorial licensing. Our editorial team can develop suitable material into a story package for publishers. Start with your own account and the evidence you have; you do not need to write the finished article.

A story summary you can copy

Use this outline to organise your own experience. Fill in what you know and say when a detail is uncertain.

• What happened: [Explain the main event in your own words.]
• When and where: [Give the date and place, or an approximate timeline.]
• Why it matters: [Explain what is unusual, important or surprising.]
• What I can share: [List original photos, video or other evidence, and who created it.]
• Previous coverage and concerns: [Add links to earlier posts or coverage, existing agreements, and anything you want to discuss before publication.]

You can send a story without attaching photos or video. Add your name, email address, a short title and your account in the content submission form. Read its agreement and required confirmations before submitting.

What makes a story suitable for the press?

A useful starting point is a true experience with a clear reason for other people to care. That could be an unusual achievement, a surprising discovery, an extraordinary relationship, a remarkable animal or a firsthand account of a news event. Explain what makes your experience different, rather than trying to write a finished newspaper article.

Accuracy matters more than a dramatic pitch. Separate what you witnessed from what someone told you. Tell the journalist if a detail is uncertain or if the story has already appeared elsewhere. Our editorial standards explain how we approach sourcing and checks.

How do I sell my story?

1. Prepare a short, factual summary

Start with a few paragraphs covering who was involved, what happened, where and when it happened, and what changed as a result. Include a way to contact you. You do not need a polished article or a sensational headline. A useful outline is: “This happened to me; this is when and where; this is what makes it unusual; these are the photos or evidence I have.”

2. Gather your supporting material

• Original photographs or video, if you have them, with a short description of what each shows.
• Relevant dates and a simple timeline, especially if events unfolded over several months.
• Details of who created any images or footage, and whether someone else has already been given rights to use them.
• Links to earlier coverage or social posts, plus any important corrections or missing context.

Tell the team if supporting documents exist and ask how to share sensitive material appropriately. Avoid sending unrelated personal records with your initial summary.

3. Submit the details for assessment

Use the Jam Press content submission form. Explain if the story is time-sensitive and flag any concerns about identification or the people involved. Read the contributor agreement on the form before signing. If you have a question first, contact the team.

4. Discuss the story, rights and payment

The editorial team may need an interview, supporting evidence or more information about the material. Read the agreement before submitting, as accepting it grants a licence to use your content. If you need to agree payment or discuss identification first, contact the team before sending the material. Keep a copy of the terms you accept.

How much can I earn from selling my story?

There is no fixed amount for a personal story. Interest depends on the story, supporting material, timeliness, what has already been published and the rights available. A story can attract interest without generating a payment.

The contributor agreement linked from the submission form does not list a standard story fee or commission rate. If earning money is your reason for submitting, contact the Jam Press team before agreeing and confirm the proposed payment, deductions and payment timing in writing. A headline amount from another contributor or agency is not a quote for your story.

Can I sell my story anonymously?

Raise any wish to remain anonymous before an interview or submission. Explain which details you do not want published and why. The team will need to assess what is possible for that particular story; anonymity cannot be promised for every case.

A changed name alone may not prevent identification through photographs, locations, relationships or earlier social posts. Discuss those concerns with the journalist before deciding whether to proceed.

Questions to ask before agreeing

• What story and supporting material does the agreement cover?
• Who may use the material, in which formats, and on what terms?
• Is the arrangement exclusive, and what does that mean for any other offers I receive?
• What payment, if any, is offered, how is it calculated, and when is it due?
• Which identifying details may be used, and how will any concerns about accuracy be handled?

Story-selling FAQs

Can I sell a story that has already been on social media?

Tell the team where it has appeared and provide the links. Existing posts, previous publication and permissions already granted can affect the options. Do not assume an unpublished detail makes the whole story exclusive.

Can I sell the same story to more than one newspaper?

That depends on the agreement and any existing commitments. Tell the agency about other approaches or offers, and check the terms before granting rights to someone else.

Do I need photographs?

Useful photographs can help explain a story, but send your summary even if you are unsure what images are available. Say who took any pictures you provide and flag anything you do not have permission to share.

Will my story definitely be published?

No. Submission is an assessment step. Editors decide whether a story is suitable, and publication or payment is not guaranteed.

What rights does the submission agreement give Jam Press?

The contributor agreement linked from the submission form provides a non-exclusive licence to use and license the material worldwide. It says that contributors who own the content keep their copyright. Other Jam Press agreements may have different terms, so check the agreement you are actually accepting.

Have a story to share?

Have footage or pictures to sell? See how to sell your video to the news or sell your photos to newspapers.