How to write a TREE post
One week each month, TREE features guest authors. Guest authors can write one post or a week’s worth. I believe everyone has something useful to say. And I think TREE is a good, friendly place to say it. Here’s how you go about submitting a guest post:
Start with one clear useful idea. It doesn’t have to be a big idea. You aren’t trying to change the whole world with one post. You are helping people take one step forward. You are giving them something they can use for today’s 1% improvement. Whatever the source of the idea, it needs to be part of your experience. Only sell what you’re smoking.
Get your idea onto paper or a device. Don’t try to make it good. Just get the words out.
Make it concise. You have between 100 and 250 words to get your idea across. There’s no room for filler or fat. Refine your words until they all work and there are 250 or fewer of them.
Make it sticky. You don’t have to say something new. You do need to say something interesting. Use your words in way that will make your idea stick in the minds of the FOREST for more than the minute they spend reading it.
Write a good headline, This is your one second chance to grab the readers and get them to open the email.
Content check
— Is my idea useful to people who have different beliefs or politics than I do
— Have I told people what they ‘should’ do? We don’t do that in TREE.
— Am I assuming the best of the FOREST?Select an image to go with your post (optional). We especially like it when you share your own art or photography.
Choose a song (optional). It can go with your post but it doesn’t have to. No genre is off limits. Choose something interesting.
Write a little bio about yourself
Choose your link. It can be your website, one of your social accounts, your online shop. Whatever, as long as it’s you.
Put it all in the body of an email and send it to theforest@substack.com. I will get back to you within a few days.