I am often asked to consider posting an article from someone else on my blog. Until this point, I have always said “no.” However,Daniel Scocco’s practice at DailyBlogTips, convinced me to give it a try. He has produced a nice set of Guest Post Guidelines that inspired me to write my own.

Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/rzelich, Image #7414051

Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/rzelich

So, yes, effective immediately, I will accept guest posts. Currently, I do not plan to publish more than one or two per month. These will likely appear on Friday.

Content

Your post must be on one of four topics:

  • Professional Niche Development
  • Leadership
  • Improving the Practice of Pharmacy
  • Professional Business Issues

Your post cannot be an advertisement for your product or the equivalent of a sponsored post.  I will not accept posts that are rude, profane and or whine. My definition of whining is that if you expose a problem you must offer a solution. Complaining without offering a pathway to success is whining.

Guidelines

  1. Your post must be original and not previously published either on the Web or in print.
  2. You agree not to publish it anywhere else, including your own blog or Web site. You may, however, post a brief “tease” or summary on your site that links to the post.
  3. You may provide up to three byline links: one for your blog or Web site, one for your bio or About page, and one for your Twitter username (optional).
  4. Your post should be at least 500 words long and no more than 800 words.
  5. You should also read:

    These all contain some very helpful tips to maximize your post.

Editing

  • I will likely copyedit your post for grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc. If I make substantive changes (unlikely), I will email the post back to you for your approval before posting.
  • I may provide a short introduction or conclusion to your post to provide context or the rationale as to why I think the post is important. I will make sure that my comments are set off from yours stylistically, so that my readers are clear that these are mine and not yours.

Disclaimer

I understand the work that it takes to write a blog post. However, the fact that you have written a post and submitted it to me does not obligate me to publish it. The only guest posts I will publish are those that in my sole judgment add value to my readers.

Furthermore, if I do not approve your guest post, I will not explain why I did not approve it or provide any detail. Frankly, that would take more time than I can afford.

Submissions

If your post meets the above guidelines:

  • Please email it to me for consideration. Due to the volume of submissions, it usually takes me 2–3 weeks to respond.
  • Please include a one to two-sentence byline that includes what you do, along with your blog address and your Twitter and/or Facebook address.
  • Please include the size of your readership: number of blog readers, Facebook friends or fans, and Twitter followers.
  • Please confirm that you are willing to engage with my readers in the comments about your post. This is hugely important and a non-negotiable. My readers have come to expect this.
  • Please include the post in the body of the e-mail. DO NOT include it as an attachment. Also, please do not include HTML coding.

If I reject your post, you are obviously free to do whatever you want with it, including publishing it elsewhere. Also, please put your post in the body of the email rather than as an attachment.