10 Things You Need To Know About Writing For Forbes
So you stop asking us!
Happy Wednesday. Here’s info about gift guides, some fun Forbes facts, and a bunch of new assignments from Real Simple (soooo many). Also, follow me on Instagram and TikTok.
GIFT GUIDE ZOOM INFO
THIS IS NEXT WEEK. IF YOU WANT TO BE A PART OF OUR FORBES GIFT GUIDE ZOOM—HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW. In case you missed it, Joni Sweet and I are hosting a Holiday gift guide Zoom. We both write for Forbes and other publications. We’ll discuss holiday gift guides in general, what we personally look for when curating guides for Forbes, affiliate links, and answer your questions. This event is exclusively for paid subscribers to both of our Substack newsletters. Even a 1-month subscription is enough to get you a spot. We think we’re worth it! Please sign up here.
Also, I plan to do monthly Zooms for paid subscribers solo. So, if you're not a paid subscriber yet, there’s never been a better time.
10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WRITING FOR FORBES OR OBVIOUSLY THIS IS CLICKBAIT
I had an entirely different essay planned for today, but I have a cold (ugh), and Carlin has a cold (nightmare). I don’t want to edit it. It was deep (some less-than-fun IRL stuff) and really good, but I’ll post it on Friday or next week. I honestly wish I could say more, but I don’t want to get fired. And yes, this is my way of baiting you into the holiday gift guide Zoom.
Forbes contributors are not Forbes staff writers.
I have no idea what they do or how staff writers work. Also, not a clue what goes down at the print mag.Forbes Vetted writers are not part of the Forbes Contributors group.
Contributors cannot write for Vetted, and vice versa.The same rule applies to Forbes Councils.
If you’re in one group, you’re not in the other.Forbes Vetted requires affiliate links, but Contributors are not allowed to use them.
I wish we were. That said, if your clients want to be in traditional commerce articles, they need to have affiliate links or sell on a platform like Amazon, Sephora, or Bloomingdale's. Otherwise, it will be incredibly difficult to get them coverage. You may share this post if they need some extra eduction.Contributors “work in a vacuum.”
I hate this expression, but we are all freelance. There are between 1,500 and 2,500 of us (I don’t have time to fact-check this number). If I know another Contributor, it’s because I met her through social media (like Joni Sweet), sat next to her at a media lunch and became IRL friends (like Dahvi Shira), or ran into her while completely bombed that time I crashed Seth MacFarlane’s Christmas party (like Yola Robert). When people ask if I know other Contributors, I feel like they imagine we’re all working in the same office. We are not. That said, if I know someone (there are some others I know through FB groups), I am happy to make a suggestion or into if I have time.We have a “swim lane.”
This means we each have a vertical or set of topics we’re allowed to write about. We cannot venture outside our swim lanes, which is why I don’t respond to pitches about crypto (I’m not Tim Dilllon), private jets (although I appreciate them and feel they are truly the best way to travel), or fashion design (I love clothes. Also handbags. Especially handbags.)There is some wiggle room.
For example, while I don’t cover fitness for Forbes, I wrote about Alo’s HQ office design. (And yes, it’s as amazing as every influencer makes it out to be. 5/5 stars, would recommend every time.) I don’t cover travel, but I can cover a beautifully designed hotel. I also write about medical design because there’s nothing worse than an unrenovated doctor’s office. You get the point.Not everyone pitches their editors.
While I don’t pitch mine, I know some Contributors do. It depends on the vertical, swim lane, or even the article topic.We have direct CMS access.
But, if I (or anyone) post outside the swim lane, that article can be taken down, and I’ll likely get fired.Vertical photos look terrible on the Forbes platform.
This is why we ask you for horizontal photos. I understand this is the opposite of social media, but there is nothing we can do about this. Horizontal photos just look better.
Like this? Sign up for the gift guide Zoom. I can also chat and answer questions that I can’t get into on Substack. What happens on Zoom, stays on Zoom.
Real Simple Assignments
As always, please use the subject line: Substack + Article Title
Colors You Should Never Combine Together
Need by 10/4, 9:00 AM PST
Would love to hear from designers. I’m thinking about obvious combinations like yellow and red, or green and orange, as well as ones we might not usually consider, like black and navy.
Ways To Make Your Bedroom Look Bigger
Need by 10/7, 9:00 AM PST
Would love to hear from designers.
Should You Buy Used Appliances? Here’s What the Pros Think
Need by 10/4, 9:00 AM PST
Would love to hear from appliance pros or even handymen.
Colors That Always Look Good Together
Need by 10/8, 9:00 AM PST
Would love to hear from designers. I’m thinking about paint colors, fabric colors, wallpaper colors, etc.
Inexpensive Touches That Look Expensive, According to Designers
Need by 10/8, 9:00 AM PST
Would love to hear from designers.
Design Trends That Are Coming Back in Style for 2025
Need by 10/8, 9:00 AM PST
Would love to hear from designers.
Paint Colors That Are Going Out of Style in 2025 (Morgan)
Need by 10/9, 9:00 AM PST
It’s the 2025 version of this: https://www.realsimple.com/paint-colors-going-out-of-style-7976051
Would love to hear from designers.
How to Prevent Clothes From Wrinkling
Need by 10/9, 9:00 AM PST
Would love to consult laundry experts for the best ways to prevent clothes from wrinkling, so you can iron less.
As someone who has been perpetually confused by the different layers of Forbes (and its contributors/writers) - THANK YOU!