HOW TO: Get on Business Week Cover Story

Illustrative: Your Story Idea on the cover of Business Week

Ever wanted to blog, but didn’t know how to get started? Are you already a blogger, but would like additional exposure for your site? Or, do you just have an idea and want to see if Business Week will write a story about it? If your answer is “yes” to any of these questions, then you’ve come to the right place.

I can’t promise that you will get a Business Week cover story, but I do know that objective 3 for this blog is to inspire Business Week to use an idea from here for a (cover) story. I also know that Business Week editors visit this blog and love it.

So, why not have some fun and be a guest contributor on this blog? Here’s how to get started…

What to submit with your guest post?

1. 100-Word Story Idea
2. 10 Story Headlines
3. Publications (or people) that could write this story. 10 or so is ideal
4. Picture (200×200 pixels) with a caption and keyword to place over the picture. If you need help resizing the picture, just send the picture as is and I’ll see what I can whip up.
5. 20-Word Bio. Optional
6. Any other suggestions? I’m open to discussing other formats and ideas.

A few pointers…

1. Have fun and experiment
2. Use this as a platform to share your ideas in a different context
3. Write something different than previous posts on this blog
4. Be genuine and not salesy
5. Try to be positive (there are enough doomsday cover stories out there right now)
6. Link back to relevant stories on businessweek.com, other publications, or blogs
7. Tell your friends and promote your post in a creative way or by posting it on other blogs. After all, objective 1 of this blog is to practice your craft, so practice.

Where to send your guest post?
Email your complete guest post to brian@businessweekcoverstory.com, agreeing to the not-so-fine print below. I don’t expect this blog to take off, but hey, you never know.

The not-so-fine print

1. You will be given credit for your guest post and it will link back to your website, when possible.
2. All submitted guest posts become the property of Brian Lenhart Interactive, LLC and can be distributed in any medium for worldwide distribution in perpetuity.
3. Your guest post must be new exclusive content for Business Week Cover Story, unless expressly stated by Brian Lenhart Interactive, LLC.
4. I have the right to accept or deny any guest posts for any reason whatsoever.
5. Once a post is submitted, I have the right to edit the post in anyway.
6. Although there are no plans to monetize this blog or your guest post, if this site or your guest posts start to make money, all proceeds go to Brian Lenhart Interactive, LLC.
7. You have created the guest post and have all rights and authority to submit the post and agree to these terms.
8. By emailing your guest post for submission, you agree to these terms.