We’re pumped to feature writers who offer real support for the diabetes life. Interested? Here’s what you need to know to get started.
To Qualify As A Member Of The Posse:
It’s not as intimidating as it sounds. Send over 1 article every 2-3 months. If you agree to our online handshake deal, we feature you on the Posse page, with your own picture, plus a link to your own individual page with your bio and all past posts. Our goal is to benefit everyone by showcasing your story as much as possible, driving our audience to your links too!
What Are We Looking For In A Submission?
Posts that inspire our readers to optimize their life with type 1, LADA, or type 2 diabetes. Ideally, a post should make the reader think, “Whoa, I can do that?” or “Wow, I’ve totally been there before.” Essay and listed forms both work!
- Physical Activity – We love posts that inspire our readers to get their body moving-whether it’s a new workout, a basket weaving class, or a triathlon. Including your diabetes preparation and experience while moving, even the high or low blood sugars, really help! Tell us how you made it happen!
- Insulin Therapy – Every day brings with it a new way to treat diabetes. Outlining your particular strategy might just motivate someone else to try it too. Use a CGM? Shots? Pump? Pills? Exercise and diet? We’d love to hear about it.
- Emotions – Blood sugar swings bring out the worst in us. How do you cope? Dishing out advice in this area is incredibly valuable!
- Food – The diabetes culture is all about food, so why not write about it. Do you go low-carb? Paleo? Vegan? When submitting a recipe, please be sure to include an original, high-quality photo of your prepared dish, the serving size, ingredients (including measurements), clear directions on how to prepare the recipe, as well as an introductory paragraph explaining how you like to serve. Feel free to add substitutions or how you made the recipe a little more diabetes friendly.
- Booze – Alcohol is a touchy subject. We tend to tread lightly in the department, but acknowledge that it can be a part of your every day life. If you so choose to write about the topic, know that the DiabetesDailyGrind does not endorse the consumption of alcohol.
- Photos – The DDG wants you to get artistic by submitting a photo with your post. Don’t freak out, we have a good supply of images at hand if you can’t find the right one. Images should be at least 600 pixels wide by 400 pixels tall (bigger in either direction, or both, is fine). Photos taken outdoors, in real light, in landscape, are great! (Not always possible in a kitchen.)
To get the wheels turning, check out a few of our most popular posts:
▪ If You Do These 4 Things While Dating, Please Stop
▪ Halloween Highs & Lows – Adult Content
▪ Does Diabetes Limit Your Career Path?
▪ 9 Intentions to Balance Your Diabetes Day
▪ Vegan Cashew Cheese Please
Why Write For DiabetesDailyGrind?
Here are a few reasons why you should share your real life advice:
- Your story matters. Everyone has a voice and we’re willing to bet our audience would love to hear what you have to say.
- You ARE an expert. This is your chance to be part of the discussion, and to shape the way diabetes is perceived to the outside world. The DDG supports folks who take charge of their lives, whatever that means.
- Your lessons learned can help someone else. Your story could save someone the guilt, shame or thoughts of feeling alone on the diabetes journey.
- You’ll reach an engaged audience. We share most posts on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Flipboard, and Twitter. Published pieces will also stay on our site indefinitely.
- Post when it’s convenient. You can contribute a post when you like. Which means: no deadlines, except the ones you create for yourself!
Here’s What You Need To Know To Become A Contributor:
- Word count: Posts usually run between 250 and 800 words, but we have no minimum or maximum.
- Tone: Honest, optimistic, and light-hearted.
- Original Content: We’re asking that your submitted post be original to DiabetesDailyGrind. Even if you’ve only posted it to your own website, we cannot accept. We appreciate uniqueness.
- We are not in business of promoting stuff: If your post/bio advertises a business or service that does not mesh with our mission (e.g. diabetes supplements), we are not game.
- Bio & Promotion: Since we do not pay contributors for articles, we would be thrilled to include a byline and your brief bio containing links to your website and social media accounts, which we will promote when your post goes live. Please keep your bio to just 2-3 sentences.
- Back It Up: If you talk about a certain statistic or research, drop in a link at the bottom of your post to the article. This helps the reader follow your train of thought.
- Timetable: Within two months, we will have posted the article or declined. Either way, you’ll hear from us!
- Please submit 1 article at a time: You’re welcome to submit again with a different post after 14 days.
By submitting to DiabetesDailyGrind you acknowledge any form of editing that might occur on behalf of the DiabetesDailyGrind editorial team.
4 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Sending To DiabetesDailyGrind
- What kind of wisdom can you share by living a diabetes life outside the box? That’s the big question.
- What makes a title pop?
Creativity that makes the reader stop. Remember, your title is competing against cat videos and engagement pictures on newsfeeds. Take a look around at titles that make you click during the day. - Is your first paragraph succinct?
The introductory sentence is your audition with a reader’s attention. They need to know how the next couple of minutes, spent reading your article, are going to be valuable. - Will the reader receive a motivation or tip?
People visit DiabetesDailyGrind for motivation, inspiration, and connection. Will your article support them as they move forward?
Please email us the following when you’re ready to join the team:
- Your complete post with a ready title. Please send both within the body of an email.
- Any images you’d like to see in your post. Please attach them (click the paperclip) and do not paste them inside the body of the email.
- Your short bio (120 words or less) with links to your social media accounts. We love links! If you have any hyperlinks inside your post, include them next to the word to be linked, like this: [https://www.facebook.com/DiabetesDailyGrind]
- A headshot or photo of you to use for your bio.
Please send the above to [email protected]!