From time to time visitors to the Phoenix site want to share their expertise on certain topics with other people who live in Arizona or are interested in Arizona. Here's how it works.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: As long as it takes!
Here's How:
- Determine that you have an interest in writing on a topic that will be relevant to people living in Arizona, visiting Arizona, or those considering moving to Arizona.
- Make sure your topic is suitable for all ages. Remember--the About Phoenix site is a family friendly site. It is preferred that you have a special interest or expertise in your topic.
- The article may not promote your business.
- An article is usually best if it is between 500 and 800 words. If it is longer, it must be able to be broken down into a few 300 or 400-word distinguishable sections. An article should help the reader easily find out "what they need to know." Bullet points are good, or lists. Readers on the Internet often want the information quickly and then they move on.
- The content of a feature must be evergreen. In other words, it generally doesn't become outdated. For example, a feature about the history of Tempe, Arizona would be good; a feature about a seminar about the history of Tempe, Arizona on May 1st would not.
- Article submissions are subject to execution of a short legal Agreement. It basically licenses the material to About.com, certifies authenticity, and stipulates that the article won't be published elsewhere.
- If you feel you have an article idea that qualifies based on the above criteria, now is the time to email the idea or outline to me.
- Articles are accepted solely at my discretion. I may edit articles.
- A short bio of the author must be submitted. The best bio includes information about what makes the author an expert on the topic of the article(s). It may include a link to an appropriate web site belonging to the author. When the article is published, it will show the author's name and link the the bio where visitors can read about you and your business.
- I will provide the final edited version of the article for your review. If you agree with any changes that might have been made, I will send the article live on the About Phoenix site and send you the URL.
- The article will be promoted on the About Phoenix main page and will be included in the weekly newsletter. After that, it will remain on the site indefinitely and can be found by visitors at the URL that I provided. Articles may be removed from About.com Phoenix at my discretion.
Tips:
- Some people who don't already have an article written like to submit a brief outline or bullet points of an idea, just to make sure it is a topic that I can use. I welcome this.
- If you think you own a photo or graphic that would go well with the feature, let me know when you submit the article.
