How to Turn Your Article into an NFT and Sell It

·

Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) have taken the digital world by storm, transforming everything from tweets and music albums to digital art into unique, tradeable assets. One of the most groundbreaking sales in recent memory was when digital artist Mike Winkelmann—better known as Beeple—sold his NFT artwork Everydays: The First 5000 Days for a staggering $69 million. This sale not only made headlines but also positioned NFTs as a serious frontier for creators across all disciplines.

But it's not just visual artists who are cashing in. Writers, journalists, and content creators are now exploring how to package their written work as NFTs. From The New York Times selling a column for $560,000 to Quartz auctioning its first NFT article for $1,814, the potential for monetizing written content on the blockchain is becoming increasingly real.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to turn your article into an NFT and list it for sale—step by step—on OpenSea, the world’s largest NFT marketplace. Whether you're a blogger, journalist, or creative writer, this process opens up new revenue streams and global exposure.

👉 Discover how creators are earning from digital assets today.

What Is an NFT?

An NFT, or Non-Fungible Token, is a unique digital asset verified using blockchain technology. Unlike cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Ethereum—which are fungible and interchangeable—each NFT is one-of-a-kind and cannot be replicated.

Think of it like a digital certificate of ownership. When you mint an article as an NFT, you’re essentially creating a verifiable, immutable record that proves you are the original creator and owner of that specific piece of content.

While critics argue that NFTs are a speculative bubble, others see them as a revolutionary shift in digital ownership. For writers, this means new opportunities to monetize intellectual property directly—without intermediaries like publishers or ad networks.

Core keywords: NFT, article as NFT, mint NFT, OpenSea, MetaMask, digital ownership, blockchain content, sell NFT

Choosing the Right NFT Marketplace

Not all platforms are created equal. Some, like Foundation, SuperRare, and Nifty Gateway, operate as curated marketplaces, requiring artist approval before listing. These platforms often attract high-end collectors but may be harder to access.

For beginners and independent creators, OpenSea is the most accessible option. As the largest decentralized NFT marketplace, OpenSea supports over 200 categories and millions of digital items—from art and domain names to collectibles and written content.

Quartz, one of the first news outlets to sell an article as an NFT, used OpenSea. So will we.

👉 Explore top platforms where creators launch their NFTs.

Setting Up Your Crypto Wallet

Before you can interact with OpenSea, you’ll need a cryptocurrency wallet. The most popular choice is MetaMask, a browser extension that works seamlessly with Ethereum-based platforms.

Here’s how to set it up:

  1. Visit the MetaMask website and download the Chrome extension.
  2. Click “Get Started” > “Create a Wallet.”
  3. Set a strong password and securely back up your 12-word recovery phrase.
  4. Confirm your recovery phrase when prompted.

Once installed, MetaMask will allow you to store Ethereum (ETH), pay transaction fees (known as "gas fees"), and manage your NFTs.

💡 Pro Tip: Never share your recovery phrase with anyone. Store it offline in a secure location.

Creating Your OpenSea Account

With MetaMask ready, head over to OpenSea.io and click on your profile icon in the top-right corner.

Select “Log in,” then choose “MetaMask” as your wallet provider. Confirm the connection in your MetaMask extension.

The entire setup takes less than two minutes. Once connected, you’ll see your dashboard—your hub for creating, managing, and selling NFTs.

Minting Your First Article NFT

Now comes the exciting part: turning your article into an NFT.

  1. Click Create in the top navigation bar.
  2. Go to My Collections > Create a New Collection.
  3. Upload a logo (this represents your collection, not your article).
  4. Add a name, description, and external link (optional).
  5. Click Create.

Next:

  1. Inside your collection, click Add New Item.
  2. Upload your article file—preferably as a PDF or image (e.g., a beautifully formatted cover page of your article).
  3. Fill in the item details: name, description, properties.
  4. Click Create.

Congratulations—you’ve just minted your first article NFT!

🔍 FAQ: Can I mint text-only content as an NFT?
Yes. While most platforms require a file upload (like PDF or image), the content inside can be entirely textual. The file acts as proof of authenticity on-chain.

Listing Your NFT for Sale

Minting doesn’t automatically put your NFT on sale—you need to list it.

  1. On your NFT page, click Sell.

  2. Choose your selling method:

    • Fixed Price
    • Timed Auction
    • Declining Price
  3. Set your price in ETH or USD.
  4. Select duration (1 day to 6 months).
  5. Click Post Your Listing.

At this point, you’ll be prompted to pay a gas fee—a one-time blockchain transaction cost used to record your NFT permanently on the Ethereum network.

Gas fees fluctuate based on network congestion and can range from $50 to $250. You must pay this using Ethereum (ETH) stored in your MetaMask wallet.

Funding Your Wallet with ETH

If you don’t already own ETH:

Transfers typically take 5–15 minutes. Once confirmed, you can complete the listing process.

🔍 FAQ: Are there gas-free alternatives?
Yes—some blockchains like Polygon offer “lazy minting,” where the buyer pays gas fees instead of the seller. You can enable Polygon support in OpenSea settings to reduce upfront costs.

Promoting Your Article NFT

Just because it’s listed doesn’t mean buyers will come. Unlike major publications with built-in audiences, independent creators must actively promote their work.

Here’s how:

Remember: In the NFT space, attention equals opportunity.

🔍 FAQ: Why would someone buy my article as an NFT?
Buyers aren’t just purchasing content—they’re investing in provenance, scarcity, and connection. A writer’s first published piece, a manifesto, or investigative report can become culturally significant over time.

Final Thoughts: Is This the Future of Content?

As venture capitalist Lin Jin discovered after selling her article’s illustration for $25,000, NFTs aren’t just about money—they’re about relationships.

“NFTs are how people with resources get the attention of creators,” she told The New York Times. “In my case, I ended up forming a real bond with the buyer because of his belief in my vision.”

Whether this trend is a fleeting bubble or the dawn of a new creative economy remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: writers now have more control than ever over how their work is valued—and who gets to own it.

👉 Start your journey into decentralized content creation now.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I sell any type of article as an NFT?
A: Yes—blog posts, essays, opinion pieces, investigative reports, even poetry can be minted as NFTs. Just convert them into a digital file format (PDF recommended).

Q: Do I retain copyright after selling an article as an NFT?
A: Typically yes—unless you explicitly transfer rights in the listing description. Most sales only transfer ownership of the token, not intellectual property.

Q: How do I receive payments from my NFT sale?
A: Funds are automatically sent to your connected MetaMask wallet in ETH or another supported cryptocurrency.

Q: Can I earn royalties from future resales?
A: Yes! OpenSea allows you to set a royalty percentage (usually 5–10%) that you’ll earn every time your NFT is resold.

Q: Is minting an article as an NFT environmentally harmful?
A: Ethereum has transitioned to a more energy-efficient "proof-of-stake" model, drastically reducing its carbon footprint. You can also use eco-friendly chains like Polygon.

Q: What if my NFT doesn’t sell?
A: You can relist it later, adjust the price, or promote it more aggressively. Some creators drop prices gradually or offer bundle deals.