Blog Author Guide

📝 About the pTreks Blog

The pTreks blog is a curated platform for authentic outdoor adventure content, safety guidance, product updates, and exceptional community stories. We maintain high editorial standards to ensure every post provides genuine value to our readers.

Our Commitment to Quality: All blog content is carefully vetted, edited, and approved by our editorial team to maintain consistency, accuracy, and alignment with pTreks values.

Our blog features:

• Official Content - Product updates, safety advisories, and company news from the pTreks team
• Expert Guides - Technical articles from certified professionals and experienced guides
• Community Spotlights - Exceptional user transformation stories (invitation-only)
• Partner Features - Transparently labeled content from sponsors and partners

👥 Contributor Tiers

We operate a selective, tiered contributor system to maintain blog quality and authenticity:

Tier 1: Official pTreks Team

• Who: pTreks founders, product managers, and core team members
• Content: Product updates, company news, safety advisories, feature announcements
• Badge: "Official pTreks Post"
• Access: Direct publishing rights

Tier 2: Expert Contributors

• Who: Certified guides, safety professionals, outdoor industry experts, sponsored athletes
• Content: Technical guides, safety tips, gear reviews, training advice
• Requirements: Verified credentials, professional experience, or industry recognition
• Badge: "Expert Contributor" with credentials displayed
• Process: Application and vetting required

Tier 3: Community Spotlights

• Who: pTreks users with exceptional transformation or adventure stories
• Content: Personal journeys, inspiring achievements, unique experiences
• Badge: "Community Story"
• Process: Invitation-only or highly selective application
• Note: Heavily edited and curated by our editorial team

Important: All contributors must be registered pTreks users. Sign up for free if you're not already a member.

✍️ How to Submit a Blog Post

We use a simple email-based submission process that ensures editorial quality while minimizing friction for contributors. Our editors review, format, and publish all submissions to maintain brand consistency and accuracy.

Step 1: Prepare Your Content

Write your article in your preferred format:

• Format: Microsoft Word, Google Docs, plain text, or Markdown (if you're familiar with it)
• Title: Clear, descriptive, SEO-friendly (aim for 50-60 characters)
• Subtitle: Optional teaser (max 240 characters)
• Content: 300-2000 words with clear headings and structure
• Summary: 2-3 sentences describing your article (150-160 characters ideal)
• Tags: Suggest 3-5 relevant tags (e.g., "hiking", "safety", "winter")
• Category: Suggest 1-2 categories (e.g., "Safety", "Guides", "Stories")

Step 2: Gather Your Images

Collect high-quality images to accompany your article:

• Cover Image: One main image (1200x630px recommended)
• Supporting Images: Additional photos to illustrate your content
• File Size: Under 500KB per image (compress if needed)
• Usage Rights: Ensure you own or have permission to use all images
• Captions: Provide brief descriptions for each image

Step 3: Email Your Submission

Send your article to our editorial team:

• To: blog-submissions@ptreks.com
• From: Use the email address associated with your pTreks account
• Subject: "Blog Submission: [Your Article Title]"
• Attachments: Your article document and all images
• Body: Brief introduction about yourself and the article

Important: You must send from your registered pTreks account email so we can properly attribute the article to you and verify your identity.

Step 4: Editorial Review

Our editors will review your submission:

• Timeline: Typically 24-48 hours for initial review
• Editing: Editors will correct spelling, grammar, and formatting
• Fact-Checking: Safety information and claims will be verified
• Formatting: Content will be formatted in Markdown for the blog
• Feedback: Editors may email you with questions or revision requests

Step 5: Revisions (If Needed)

If the editor requests changes:

• Review the editor's feedback carefully
• Make the requested revisions to your document
• Reply to the editor's email with your updated content
• Repeat until the editor approves your article

Step 6: Publication

Once your article is approved:

• The editor will format and upload your article to the blog system
• Your article will be scheduled for publication
• You'll receive an email notification when it goes live
• Your article will appear on the pTreks blog with your name as the author

📋 Content Guidelines & Standards

Editorial Standards

All content must align with pTreks brand values and maintain our commitment to:

• Authenticity - Real experiences, honest advice, genuine expertise
• Safety First - Accurate, responsible safety information
• Inclusivity - Welcoming to all skill levels and backgrounds
• Environmental Respect - Leave No Trace principles
• Quality Over Quantity - Every post must provide real value

Writing Style

• Voice: Friendly, knowledgeable, encouraging
• Tone: Professional but approachable
• POV: Second person ("you") for guides, first person for stories
• Length: 800-2000 words (300 minimum for updates)

Required Elements

• Compelling, SEO-friendly title (50-60 characters)
• Clear subtitle that adds context
• Engaging summary (150-160 characters)
• At least one high-quality image
• Proper heading structure (H2, H3)
• Clear call-to-action or takeaway
• Proper attribution for all sources

Strictly Prohibited

• ❌ Plagiarism or copyright violations
• ❌ Inaccurate or dangerous safety information
• ❌ Promotional content without disclosure
• ❌ Political or controversial non-outdoor topics
• ❌ Offensive, discriminatory, or inappropriate content
• ❌ Unverified claims or medical advice
• ❌ Commercial endorsements (unless approved partnership)

Editorial Control

Important: The pTreks editorial team reserves the right to:

• Edit for clarity, grammar, style, and brand consistency
• Request revisions or additional information
• Reject content that doesn't meet our standards
• Delay publication for strategic timing
• Remove or archive published content if needed

🎯 SEO Best Practices

Help your post reach more readers by following these SEO guidelines:

• Title includes primary keyword (50-60 characters ideal)
• Summary is compelling and descriptive (150-160 characters)
• URL slug is keyword-rich and readable (auto-generated but can be customized)
• Use at least 3 relevant tags
• Include internal links to related pTreks content
• External links open in new tab
• All images have descriptive alt text
• Proper heading hierarchy (H2, H3, H4)

🖼️ Image Guidelines

Images make your content more engaging and shareable:

Recommended Sizes

• Cover Images: 1200x630px (optimal for social sharing)
• Inline Images: 800px wide maximum
• File Size: Under 500KB per image

File Formats

• JPG: Best for photographs
• PNG: Best for graphics with transparency
• WebP: Modern format with better compression

Accessibility

• Alt Text: Required for all images - describe what's in the image, not just "image" or "photo"
• Caption: Optional but helpful for providing context
• Ensure sufficient color contrast for text overlays

Usage Rights

• Only use images you own or have permission to use
• Properly attribute stock photos or Creative Commons images
• Obtain model releases for recognizable people

⏱️ Editorial Timeline

Understanding the review and publication timeline:

• Draft Creation: Take as long as you need
• Editor Review: Typically 24-48 hours after submission
• Revisions: Depends on scope of changes needed
• Publication: Scheduled by editor based on content calendar

Tip: For time-sensitive content (seasonal guides, event coverage), submit at least 1 week before your desired publication date.

🔄 Post-Publication

After your post is published:

• Share: Promote your post on social media and with your network
• Respond to Feedback: Engage with readers if comments are enabled
• Update as Needed: Email your editor if you need to correct errors or update outdated information
• Track Performance: Your editor can provide analytics on views and engagement upon request

👨‍💼 About Editors

Our editorial team ensures content quality and consistency:

Editor Responsibilities

• Review submitted posts for quality and accuracy
• Check grammar, spelling, and style consistency
• Verify factual claims and safety information
• Ensure accessibility standards are met
• Manage publishing calendar
• Provide constructive feedback to authors

What Editors Look For

• Content aligns with pTreks brand voice
• Information is accurate and well-researched
• Proper attribution and permissions
• SEO best practices followed
• Accessibility requirements met
• Engaging and valuable to readers

Editorial Tools

Editors use the Admin Dashboard to:

• Review queue of submitted posts
• Approve or return posts with feedback
• Schedule publication dates
• Mark posts as featured
• Manage revision history
• Archive outdated content