By Bob Decker
In my last blog post, How to Build Authority (and Show Up in AI Answers), I shared that contributed articles are one of the most powerful tools you can use.
They’re a great way to earn editorial coverage in trade publications by providing real value for their engineer readers. We looked at how contributed articles work, where the content can come from, and why they matter more than ever.
Since then, a reader asked what editors expect when you’re submitting an article to them. So today, I’m answering that excellent question and letting you know what decision makers at trade publications look for and what guidelines to follow to have the best chances of getting published. Let’s get started.
What do editors expect when you’re submitting an article?
Anytime you’re trying to get published, you’ve got to play by the rules of the publisher. Even more so when no money is exchanged, trade publications have clear expectations and they won’t publish your content if you don’t meet them. There are typically two factors editors require:
1. Exclusivity (for a limited time)
Most publications want content that has not already appeared on your website or in another magazine. Editors typically expect no prior publication even on your own website and certainly not on competitors’ websites. Often, the exclusivity window is short, and after a month or a few months, you’re welcome to publish the same article on your own blog, website, LinkedIn, or other locations, often with attribution.
2. Helpful, not promotional
Editors expect informative content with general references to component types and limited brand-specific references. The more objective your article sounds, the more likely it is to be accepted. Ironically, this neutrality increases trust, which benefits your brand long-term.
One way you can make this work in your favor is writing about a product or feature on a product that only you provide. It doesn’t have to be all about you or your brand, but conveniently, your solution is the only one available.
What are the structural guidelines for strong contributed articles?
Most electronics trade publications prefer:
● 800 to 1,200 words
● 2 or 3 graphics or figures (charts, graphs, diagrams, or images)
● A clear framework of presenting a problem and a solution
A strong article typically identifies a real engineering challenge that readers will want solutions to. Your article should explain why it matters, present practical guidance, and conclude with solutions — not a sales pitch.
Articles that open with a real-world design problem tend to perform well because they immediately connect with the reader’s experience. For example, engineers might be struggling with thermal management in compact designs, signal integrity at higher speeds, or component reliability in harsh environments. When your article starts by acknowledging a challenge engineers recognize, the rest of the article naturally engages readers and adds to your credibility.
It’s equally important to remember what doesn’t get published. Articles that read like product announcements, press releases, or datasheets are almost always rejected. Editors are not looking for marketing copy. If an article repeatedly names a specific product or focuses heavily on brand messaging, it quickly signals that the piece is promotional rather than editorial.
A good rule of thumb is that an engineer reading your article should come away with new understanding or practical insight, even if they never purchase anything from your company. When an article delivers that kind of value, editors are far more likely to see it as a contribution to their publication rather than an advertisement in disguise.
When you respect editorial guidelines, provide genuine technical insight, and structure your article around a clear problem and solution, editors are much more likely to publish your work. As a result, you’ll not only gain visibility in trusted industry publications, but also position your company as a knowledgeable partner that understands engineers’ real-world problems. Over time, that authority builds trust with readers, strengthens relationships with editors, and helps your expertise reach a wider audience.
Getting contributed articles published doesn’t have to be guesswork.
At Redpines, contributing editorial content is a key part of the PR strategies we provide our clients. Because we’ve developed long-standing relationships with editors across the core technology trade press, we know how to write technical stories, where different articles fit well, and how to position them for publication.
If you’d like to explore how we could help get your expertise in front of the right readers, give me a call at 415-409-0233.