After making the appropriate enquiries any reputable press agent should be able to give you an exact fee on how much your story is worth and what publications it will appear in.

Ask the press agency to provide a contract from your chosen publication with your name and how much you will receive clearly written on it.

Do not be fooled by contracts from agencies offering you large fees but failing to say who is paying the money and where your story will appear.

1. Make sure you are happy to sell your real life story.



2. Use a press agency rather than going direct to a publication - you will invariably end up with more money.



3. Ensure you get a contract outlining the exact fee for your real life story with a named publication.



4. Having photographs or film footage to back up your story will make it worth more money.



5. Don't be rushed into selling stories but do be aware that stories can drop in price as interest wanes.



6. Ensure that the publication using your story does not plan to syndicate it to other newspapers or magazines.



7. NEVER sign any contracts that offer you a fee with the terms 'up to' or 'a minimum of' written beside them.



8. If you have a 'big exclusive' or want newspaper, magazine, television and radio coverage use a publicity agent/ publicist.



9. You will get more money for your story if you agree to be named and photographed.



10. Can you prove your story is true?