At Zift we believe being a parent is the most important job in the world.
As parents ourselves we understand that smartphones, social media, apps, and other digital media and devices are here to stay, and that in many ways, it’s a good thing. But our relationship with technology is complicated.
We struggle with how to understand and navigate our children’s technology use. And our own.
So we created the Parent Portal and Parenting Insights blog where we focus on topics that can help us become better parents in a technology-driven world.
What We Look for in Articles We Publish
- A Substantive Post on a Relevant Topic
An article that feels too short, or that lacks depth, won’t be published. Nor will an article that doesn’t appeal to parents. Feel free to dive deeply, it’s easier to cut unnecessary content than figure out what’s missing
- The Content is Original
The article MUST be original and not published anywhere else before
- It Offers Practical, Actionable Advice/ Tips
Be specific and get into exact details. (The “how to” genre of articles is a great example of this.
- Is Written in Web-Readable Format
It should be organized, skimmable, use short paragraphs,or incorporate lists/ bullets.
- Includes References
Our readers come to us for ease-of-use and resources. When possible, back up what you’re saying with research or stories from a published book, article, or other authoritative reference. You are welcome to link to an authority article on your own blog, too
- And is Evergreen
We’re most interested in content that will be as relevant, if not more relevant, five years from now. Having evergreen content is what makes this site successful, and it’s the most important thing to keep in mind when writing your post.
Optional:
Lists Work Lists resonate with people and can made good use of photographs, but are also very easy to read because of the structure. You don’t have to use lists, but they are effective.
Infographics Infographic submissions should include introductory text—about 100-125 words—to help set up the graphic. You won't get a byline for that text; think of it more as a press release.
Forward your infographic to our editorial team (editorial@wezift.com), and include "Zift Infographic Submission" in your email subject line.
Visual Media Having pictures, gif animation, and/ or video can provide a richer reading experience, assuming they are high quality.
Technical Details on Guest Posts
Articles should be at least 800 words. Our most successful articles are in the 1,500 – 2,000 word range.
Please send your post in text format or HTML. Please do NOT send a Word doc with blue links.
Please include a brief bio of 25 words, including Twitter contact info, if available, and a recent headshot (make sure your entire head and neck are in the picture).
If you submit an article that mentions businesses or companies in which you have a vested interest, disclose as much to us and the audience.
If a featured image accompanies your submission, please indicate whether you have exclusive rights to it or if it falls under the Creative Commons License. If none is provided, or if it’s commercially licensed, we will choose a featured image for you.
Important Notes for Guest Bloggers
Articles selected for publication will be paid $100 via PayPal.
If you are unsure, you’re welcome to send a few topic ideas before drafting anything. Email our editorial team (editorial@wezift.com) 3-5 of your best topic ideas based on all the above points, including prospective titles and a few bulleted “takeaways” for each.
Next Steps
Send submissions to our editorial team (editorial@wezift.com). Include “Zift Guest Article” in your email subject line.
We will inform you if your article has been accepted for publication; expect to hear from us within a week or two of our having received your email. If we don't accept your article, you may or may not hear from us, depending on how crowded our inbox is; if you haven't followed the above guidelines, you likely won't hear back.
Our article queue is long, and publication will take 1-2 months.
What Didn't We Answer?
Still have a question? Reach out to our content managers at editorial@wezift.com.