Developing Contributor Guidelines for Consistently Excellent User-Generated Content

A well-structured set of contributor guidelines can significantly improve the quality and consistency of your published content. Here's how to create an effective set of guidelines for your blog.

Making Your Guidelines Accessible

To ensure your guidelines are easily discoverable, position them in a prominent location such as the menu or footer of your site. Use search-optimised phrases like "contributor guidelines," "write for us," or "editorial guidelines" to make them more discoverable by potential contributors.

Laying Out Your Guidelines

Your guidelines should be presented in a clear and engaging format, similar to a blog post, with subheadings and ample white space for easy reading. ClearVoice, an online magazine, is an example of a site that has successfully implemented this approach.

Setting Quality Standards

Establishing quality requirements is crucial for maintaining a high standard of submissions. These may include correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation, as well as original content and adherence to your blog's specific voice and tone.

Engaging with Your Contributors

Requiring authors to participate in post-publication community engagement, such as responding to comments in a professional manner for a set period, can foster a more interactive and engaging community around your content.

Time Frames and Pitching Process

Providing rough time frames for response and publication helps contributors manage their expectations. Detail the preferred pitching process, whether it's an idea submission or a final draft, and specify the format for submission, such as Google doc or Word attachment.

Policy on Linking, Bylines, and Bios

Define your policies on linking, bylines, and bios, including expectations for author credit, link placement, and self-promotion. Fast Company, for instance, states that contributed articles remain exclusive to their site for 3-5 business days after publication.

Managing Submissions

To keep your inbox organised, create a separate email address for blog submissions. This will help reduce clutter and make it easier to manage your incoming contributions.

Promotion and Exclusivity

Encourage contributors to share and promote their published articles to increase their visibility and reach. However, ensure that any exclusivity periods, such as those mentioned by Fast Company, are clearly stated in your guidelines.

Fine-Tuning Your Blog's Mission and Audience

Establishing solid contributor guidelines helps fine-tune your blog's mission and audience, resulting in more consistent content and higher-quality submissions. This, in turn, can help you attract and retain a loyal readership.

Seeking Assistance

If you need help crafting high-quality contributor guidelines for your blog, ClearVoice can provide assistance. By following these guidelines, you can create a welcoming and productive environment for your contributors, ultimately leading to a more successful blog.

Developing Contributor Guidelines for Consistently Excellent User-Generated Content