Search the Internet at home or at a public library for articles already written on your idea topic. Print the articles and place them in a folder.
Research your idea at the library in teachers' book sources. Talk to librarians about your idea. Librarians can assist you with finding educational sources that carry your topic. If you find any articles, scan them and place them in your folder.
Discuss your idea with someone who is knowledgeable with the area related to it. Find out if your idea has been around the block before or if it truly is original.
Study an up-to-date publishing market guide. Search for publishers who are seeking articles related to your topic. Don't waste time sending your article to magazines that don't publish articles similar to yours.
Evaluate the submission guidelines. Notice the word-count requirements and the pay. If the publication does not pay writers and you require payment for your work, mark it off of the list and keep looking.
Prepare a list on a piece of paper of each publisher you consider a positive choice to submit your idea to.
Look at the website of your chosen publications to find out what their submission guidelines are. If one does not have a website, type a letter asking for submission guidelines and send the publication a self-addressed, stamped envelope for its reply.
Type the manuscript according to the guidelines of the publisher. Usually, publishers require that the manuscripts be typed double-spaced with specific margins and a cover page as well as numbered pages. If the publishers do not specifically state their format, use the format listed at the front of your market guidebook.
Type a cover letter. Briefly introduce yourself and explain why you feel that your idea fits the magazine. Thank the editor for her time in reading the idea and close the letter promptly.
Send a self-addressed, stamped envelope with the manuscript and the cover letter. Mail manuscripts in 9-by-12 envelopes. Use a paper clip to attach the manuscript and your cover letter together. Don't use staples.
Record information on an itinerary sheet or an index card of each manuscript that you send out for your personal records. This helps you get your ideas published in the long run by keeping your manuscripts organized. Keeping an itinerary of what is going out and coming in prevents you from accidentally sending two of the same article to the same place.
Record the date that you send the manuscript out, which publisher you sent it to, the approximate response time and the word count of your idea.
Record the date that you receive your response, be it a rejection or, better yet, an acceptance letter.