Writing quizzes expands your marketability and sells your writing

(Photo by Tony the MIsfit)

One of the easiest forms of writing to sell is the quiz. Many consumer magazines buy them and pay surprisingly well for a well constructed, interesting quiz. Take a look at how a quiz is constructed and submitted. Below, is the explanation, which ends with instructions, followed by the two parts of the matching quiz and then the scoring key.

Your submission will include a list of sources so fact checkers can be sure your quiz is accurate. We all love a challenge - readers like nothing better than to show they know more than spouse, partner or friends.

Sample Quiz

Are You a Classic Rock Mogul, or Un-hip to History?

By Maryan Pelland

Only Baby boomers get it when talk turns to righteous rock n’ roll royalty, right? Not necessarily. Younger music fans are right there, too. This matching quiz shows what you know, or how aware you were in the goodle days. Match performers to factoids, then check your results.

Performers:

1. Pink Floyd
2. Neil Young
3. John Lennon
4. Meatloaf
5. Grateful Dead
6. Stones
7. Janis Joplin
8. Brewer & Shipley
9. Fleetwood Mac
10. Queen
11. Creedence Clearwater
12. Led Zeppelin

Factoids:

A, Morphed from 1950’s “Revival” to 21st century “Revisited.”

B. Song title Careful with That Ax, Eugene; a “B” side.

C. Pretty much one album, Tarkio Road, for Kama Sutra Records.

D. This star was once served with a U.S. deportation order.

E. Named their band from a Muddy Waters song title.

F. Actress Ellen Foley was their singer. Now who had a girl singer?

G. Born of Warlocks – whatever that means.

H. This superstar was born in Port Arthur, Tx

I. Their heavenly hit still holds the title of most requested song in radio history.

J. Bill Clinton’s 1992 campaign song was one of their best songs.

K. Video game, The Eye, is modeled on their music and style.    

L. Received a bunch of nominations through 2006, noted as one of the most influential guitarists ever--never won a Grammy.

Answers:

1. B (Eugene  was a Pink Floyd single in 1968, redone for Umma Gumma album)
2. L (Nope, Young hasn’t a single Grammy. What’s WRONG with those people?)
3. D (Lennon was arrested in 1975, but the courts overturned the order)
4. F (1977 Foley, competent TV and movie actor, sang on Meatloaf’s Bat Out of Hell album)
5. G (Jerry Garcia’s first band was the Warlocks)
6. E (Brian Jones suggested “the Rolling Stones”, after Muddy Waters’ song "Rollin' Stone Blues," and nobody had a better idea, and so the immortal blues lovin’ bad got their identity.)  
7. H (Janis was born in Port Arthur in 1943. She died in LA in 1970)
8. C (1970. Brewer and Shipley did other albums but Tarkio was the seller)
9. J (Fleetwood song, Don’t Stop, was Bill’s campaign song)
10. K (The game, by a British company, Electronic Arts, came out in 1998, Queen, the Eye.)
11. A (with almost all new members, Creedence  Clearwater is now Revisited instead of Revival and playing dates all over the world to huge crowds. Same great music.)
12. I (Stairway to Heaven by Plant and Page.)

How you rank: 9-12 correct – Excellent. Turn off that stereo and get a life! 6-9 correct – Not bad. You’re still hip, fo'shizzle. 5 or fewer correct – man, you’ve turned down the magic!
###

Sources: (this section should be included in your submission)

About.com

Tarkio Road

Classic Rock Revisited

Billboard Magazine

My forty years of collecting classic rock music, videos, and albums.

Classic Rock Stories : The Stories Behind the Greatest Songs of All Time (Paperback) by Tim Morse  page 181

Monterey Pop Festival 

Make sure your answers make sense and make sure your quiz fits the publication you decide to pitch it to. Once you establish a reputation for providing entertianing and accurate quizzes, you may find this sideline in high demand. It makes a pretty interesting revenue stream.