Maybe you’re sitting in a bar or on a beach when a celebrity comes into view – as you happily capture the moment on your camera or phone to show your friends and relatives later. Perhaps you and the celeb have a chat and he or she tells you a juicy bit of gossip about themselves.

A mate then says “Hang on, that could be worth a few quid” and you can’t understand why that didn’t occur to you earlier. Who would begrudge you making some cash from selling your story or picture – we all have bills to pay don’t we?

But before you can splash the cash on that new top, a new car, or another holiday you are suddenly confronted by the problem everyone who has: How?

Unless you have worked for a newspaper, or know someone who has, then selling a picture or a story is literally going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

You could call up a newspaper or a magazine direct but it is not going to be in their interests to pay you the best price. And since the clock is ticking, so to speak, you don’t want anyone else who was in the same bar or on the same beach to beat you to it.

So what do you do?

The good news is: there is help at hand.

A good first port of call in the internet. If you type “make money from my story” into Google, you’ll come across a number of sites from companies who can help. Choosing the right one is crucial.

Ask yourself these questions:

1. Is this person experienced enough to get MAXIMUM coverage of my story?

2. Do they have relevant experience – i.e. real experience and real contacts in the Press – or are they just glorified salesmen?

3. Will they work on my behalf?

4. Will they get me the maximum amount of money for my story?

The issue of Trust is paramount. As yourself: “Am I talking to a failed or junior Journalist who couldn’t make it – and is trying to get stories another way? And “am I dealing with a faceless company?”.

Dennis Rice is at the forefront of helping people make money from their stories. Not only has he held some of the most senior positions in the UK Media – he is a former Investigations Editor of the Mail on Sunday and Chief Reporter of the Daily Express and the Sunday Mirror – but he is an award winning journalist as well (including being short-listed in the Reporter of the Year category at the British Press Awards).

Dennis has an unparalleled reputation in this field. His testimonials prove that he puts the interests of clients first.

Here’s how Dennis works:

He talks to you and answers any concerns you have.

He works with you to see how much interest there will be in your story or picture. Having sold hundreds of stories on behalf of the public, he has a keen eye not only for what will sell – but where it will sell as well. Dennis will aim to get maximum revenue for you not only by selling the story or picture to one newspaper or magazine – but as many as possible without diluting your profit.

Next Dennis will work with you to ensure that he has all the salient facts about the story – even information you may not feel is useful can sometimes be of great benefit.

Dennis also has a great talent for getting the timing right. When you sell your story or want to make money from your story – timing is key. It’s not always about just getting the story out there quickly – it’s about keeping the interest going for as long as possible.

Finally Dennis will keep you posted throughout. You’ll know how things are developing – where the interest is – and how much you are likely to make.