Contribute

Contribution Guidelines at a Glance

Think Insights publishes strategic, practitioner-relevant thinking for senior decision-makers. We welcome two kinds of article contributions: non-commercial articles from experts and commercial articles from digital and content marketers. The standards for reader value and editorial quality apply to both; the disclosure, payment, and recognition requirements differ.

Who we are	A platform on Strategy, Leadership, Consulting, Digital Transformation, Data & Analytics, and AI.
Who reads us	Board members, executives, entrepreneurs, startup founders, coaches, mentors, consultants, and academics, many at Global 500 companies, leading consulting firms, and high-growth startups.
What we want	Original, evidence-backed, vendor-neutral ideas that change how a senior leader makes a real decision.
What we decline	Sales pitches, basic tool / how-to tutorials, spun / duplicate content, and anything that reads as generic or AI-only.
Length and style	850 to 3,500 words; analytical essays are typically 1,500 to 3,000 words. American English, AP style, short paragraphs, and clear section headers.
Non-commercial articles	Expert contributions with no undisclosed commercial objective. Eligible authors can earn recognition through the recognition tiers.
Commercial articles	Original articles with a disclosed commercial objective: €175 per article, including up to three outbound links.
Link insertions	€75 per link inserted into an existing article, subject to editorial approval.
Discounts	No discounts. Fees are fixed and non-negotiable for brands, agencies, resellers, and freelancers.
Denomination	Euro (we're based in Germany). PayPal transaction fees may apply; bank transfers are accepted.
Payment	Commercial articles and link insertions require full prepayment. Payment is due within 3 business days of the invoice date.
Lead time	Submit pitches 3 to 4 weeks before your preferred publication date. Publication dates are not guaranteed.
Turnaround time	Review and publication timing varies with editorial workload, revisions, and payment confirmation.
How to submit	Use the web form with a short summary of your idea, its fit for our audience, and whether it is non-commercial or commercial.

The Quick Fit Test

Ask yourself: Would a senior executive, board member, or strategy consultant learn something new from this piece that influences a real decision? If yes, it may be a good fit. If not, it probably is not.

Before You Submit: A Five-Point Checklist

• The topic is strategic and decision-relevant (see Topics and Fit).
• The article is original, evidence-backed, vendor-neutral, and primarily educational.
• It follows the structure and length requirements (see Writing, Structure, and Visuals).
• Any use of AI, commercial objective, and relevant affiliations are disclosed (see AI and Disclosure).
• Your author bio, headshot, and social profiles are ready (see Author Details).

Not Sure Your Niche or Industry Fits?

We accept contributions from a wide range of industries, including some that other publishers avoid, and certain categories are handled case by case. If your business operates in a regulated, sensitive, or otherwise unconventional sector, please enquire about accepted categories before you write or pay for anything. Send a short note describing your business model and target audience through the web form, and we will confirm whether we can proceed.

Topics and Fit

Which topics do you cover?

Strategy (corporate, business, technology), leadership and decision-making, management consulting frameworks and methods, digital transformation and business models, data literacy, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Can I submit something "business related" that sits outside these topics?

Only if you can clearly connect it to strategic decision-making, leadership, or transformation in organizations. Purely operational, HR administration, or low-level technical how-to content will likely be rejected.

What do you decline?

We decline pieces that are mainly sales pitches, excessively promotional, or narrowly functional, such as basic tool-usage tutorials. We may consider content on professional leadership, wellbeing, and mental health at work when it is framed around organizational decision-making.

Is Think Insights suitable for B2B and professional-audience content?

Yes, if your content helps senior decision-makers think more clearly about strategy, leadership, transformation, or analytics in real organizations.

Accepted Categories and Industries

Which industries can I write about or link to?

Most professional and commercial sectors are welcome, including several higher-scrutiny niches such as gambling and gaming, crypto and digital assets, and similar regulated or high-risk industries. Every piece in these sectors must still meet our full editorial standards: strategic, evidence-backed, vendor-neutral, and valuable to a senior audience. Content that exists mainly to promote a product, platform, or trading offer will be declined.

Are there categories you do not accept?

Yes. We do not accept every category, and the list of accepted categories is narrower than the list of topics we are able to discuss. Rather than publishing a full list here, we ask contributors to enquire about accepted categories before pitching. This applies to new articles and link insertions.

What if my niche is borderline or unclear?

Contact us first through the web form and explain your business model, how it is monetized, and who your target audience is. If your topic is adjacent to a category we do not accept, or relies on it as the primary monetization model, we will decline the submission. When in doubt, ask before you invest time.

Do regulated industries have additional requirements?

Yes. Contributors in regulated sectors are responsible for ensuring their content and linked pages comply with applicable laws, advertising rules, and any required disclaimers. We may request changes or additional information before publication.

Contribution Routes

Choose the route that best describes your article. The editorial team may ask you to clarify or change the route if the article's content, links, affiliations, or purpose do not match your selection.

Non-commercial articles by experts

This route is for experts contributing original knowledge and analysis primarily to inform readers. The article must not be a disguised advertisement or contain an undisclosed commercial objective. Disclose relevant employment, financial interests, product affiliations, or other relationships that could affect how readers interpret your work.

There is no contribution fee for an accepted non-commercial article. Publication is subject to editorial review and does not guarantee compensation, promotion, or a particular publication date. Authors may qualify for recognition tiers based on their published non-commercial contributions (see Recognition for Non-Commercial Authors).

Why Experts Contribute Non-Commercial Articles

Experts contribute to Think Insights to share useful ideas with a senior, professionally engaged audience. Here are seven reasons to consider contributing:

• Reach senior decision-makers. Share your expertise with executives, board members, entrepreneurs, consultants, and other experienced practitioners.
• Put your ideas in context. Develop a strategic perspective that connects your specialist knowledge to real organizational decisions.
• Build a public body of work. Create a published record of your thinking that readers and professional peers can refer to.
• Strengthen your author profile. Present your experience and areas of expertise alongside your article.
• Join an expert community. Take part in discussion with readers and other contributors on issues that matter to organizations.
• Earn author recognition. Build toward the Contributing Expert, Distinguished Expert, and Thought Leader tiers through eligible non-commercial articles.
• Contribute on editorial merit. There is no contribution fee for an accepted non-commercial article; each submission is reviewed against the same standards for relevance, evidence, and reader value.

Commercial articles by digital and content marketers

This route is for digital marketers, SEO specialists, content marketers, agencies, and brand teams seeking to publish an article with a disclosed commercial objective, such as brand awareness, product positioning, or lead generation.

Commercial articles cost €175 per original article, including up to three approved outbound links. An article must still be useful, substantive, and relevant to our senior audience. Payment does not guarantee acceptance, publication, a specific link placement, or SEO results. See Fees, Pricing, and Payment for details.

Link insertions in existing articles

A link insertion is a commercial placement and costs €75 per approved link. The destination and its category must be acceptable, and the link must add genuine context for readers. See Link Insertions in Existing Articles.

Writing, Structure, and Visuals

What length and style do you expect?

Articles should be between 850 and 3,500 words; analytical essays are typically 1,500 to 3,000 words. Use clear titles, section headers, and short paragraphs. Follow American English and AP style as closely as possible, and build a structured, practitioner-focused argument.

How should I structure my article?

Use this structure unless the editor agrees otherwise:

1. Title
2. Subtitle
3. Idea in short
4. Article summary
5. Detailed article, with references and visuals where appropriate
6. Summary with key takeaways
7. Keywords
8. Footnotes, if applicable
9. Author biography

What are the requirements for images and graphics?

Images, charts, and graphics must be royalty-free, clearly sourced, and genuinely enhance understanding. Low-quality or purely decorative visuals will be declined. Company logos and product screenshots may be considered only when necessary to explain a concept; overt branding may be removed or minimized.

Must my submission be original?

Yes. Submissions must be original, vendor-neutral, and primarily educational. We do not accept spun, scraped, lightly edited, or duplicate content. For commercial contributions, we prioritize unpublished material; content already published on your own site is generally discouraged and may be declined.

AI and Disclosure

Can I use AI tools to help create my article?

Yes. You may use AI for ideation, drafting, editing, or analysis, as long as the tools augment your expertise and the final article meets professional standards and reflects genuine subject-matter knowledge.

Do I need to disclose AI use?

Yes. Briefly state how AI was used, including the tools and steps.

What else must I disclose?

State whether the submission is non-commercial or commercial. For a commercial article, identify the commercial objective, relevant brand or product, and any requested outbound links. Also disclose relevant affiliations or interests that readers should know about.

Will you reject "AI-only" or generic content?

Yes. Submissions that read as generic, templated, SEO-only, or lacking subject-matter depth are declined, whether or not AI was involved.

Links and SEO

Are external links allowed?

Yes, when they cite non-gated, reputable research or add relevant context. Gated research is acceptable if clearly dated and not purely promotional. We do not accept links to low-quality, deceptive, or high-risk sites, or to categories we do not work with (see Accepted Categories and Industries).

Are commercial links do-follow?

Approved commercial outbound links are do-follow and permanent on a best-effort basis, and are not tagged as UGC or Sponsored. We reserve the right to edit or remove links later if necessary. Approval of an article or payment does not guarantee approval of every requested link.

Do you guarantee SEO results?

No. We do not guarantee any specific ranking, traffic, or SEO outcome. Focus on reader value, topic relevance, and clear structure. Avoid keyword stuffing, manipulative anchor text, and clickbait meta elements, and address a well-defined search intent with depth and nuance.

AI Search and Discoverability

Think Insights aims to make its articles easy for readers, search engines, and AI-powered discovery tools to understand and find. No technical file, markup, or editorial approach can guarantee indexing, citations, or visibility in a search or AI answer. Strong discoverability starts with accessible pages and clear, distinctive, well-supported writing.

What helps an article get discovered and cited?

• Make each article publicly accessible, with a stable URL, a descriptive title, and a useful summary.
• State the article’s main idea early, then support it with clear explanations, evidence, examples, and links to reputable sources.
• Identify the author and their relevant experience. Keep author profiles complete and consistent across published work.
• Use descriptive section headings and explain specialist terms where readers may need context.
• Keep factual claims, dates, and references accurate and up to date. Clearly distinguish evidence from opinion.
• Make sure the published article and any structured data describe the same content.

These practices help clarify what an article says and who wrote it. Search and AI systems decide independently whether to crawl, index, display, or cite a page.

How does Think Insights use llms.txt?

Think Insights may publish an /llms.txt file at the site root as a concise, human-readable guide to the publication. It can describe Think Insights, identify important public pages, and link to editorially valuable articles and author profiles.

The llms.txt proposal is an optional discovery aid, not a substitute for crawlable pages, a sitemap, or search-engine requirements. Support and use vary among systems, so its presence does not guarantee that any search engine or AI service will read or cite Think Insights content.

What are entity maps and JSON-LD?

Think Insights can use an entity map—a consistent description of the relationships among the publication, authors, articles, and the subjects they cover. JSON-LD is a machine-readable format that can express those relationships using Schema.org types and properties.

Where appropriate, article pages may include JSON-LD that accurately reflects visible page content, such as:

• The article as a BlogPosting or Article, with its headline, publication date, and canonical page URL.
• The author as a Person, connected to a public author profile.
• Think Insights as the Organization or publisher.
• Relevant subjects through properties such as about or mentions, where those relationships are clear and supported by the article.
• Stable identifiers and sameAs links for an author or organization, only when they refer to the same entity.

Markup must match the visible article and should not add unsupported claims or hidden promotional information. JSON-LD can help systems interpret page details, but it does not guarantee rich results, rankings, AI citations, or inclusion in an answer.

What should contributors do?

Contributors can support discoverability by using an accurate title and summary, providing descriptive author details, linking to reliable sources, and making the article’s argument easy to follow. Do not add keyword stuffing, manufactured entity associations, or unsupported claims to influence search or AI systems. Editorial acceptance is based on the value and integrity of the article for readers.

For AI-powered search features, the site must also be crawlable and eligible under each provider’s own rules. Think Insights may review its robots and indexing settings as part of its publishing operations.

Author Details

What do I need to provide about myself?

Provide:

• A concise author bio of up to 200 words
• A recent professional headshot
• Links to active social media profiles

Non-commercial authors must also complete their author profile to qualify for the Contributing Expert tier.

Submission and Editorial Review

How do I submit?

Use the web form and include a short summary of your idea, how it fits our topics and audience, and whether it is a non-commercial or commercial contribution. Commercial pitches should also identify the commercial objective and any requested link targets. We prefer the form for tracking and consistency. Alternative channels for larger partnerships can be agreed in writing with the editorial team.

How far in advance should I submit?

Submit your pitch 3 to 4 weeks before your desired publication date. You may indicate a preferred timeframe, but we cannot guarantee specific dates.

Do I need to be a known author?

No. We welcome established and emerging voices alike, provided the content meets our quality and relevance standards.

Who decides on acceptance, and how will I hear back?

The Think Insights editorial team has full discretion over acceptance, rejection, and the scope of edits. We aim to notify contributors of the outcome, but due to volume we may not respond individually to every pitch, especially those clearly misaligned with these guidelines.

What are the most common reasons for rejection?

• Misalignment with core topics
• Lack of originality or actionable insight
• Weak analysis or limited evidence
• Excessive self-promotion
• Poor structure or language
• Non-compliance with these guidelines
• Undisclosed AI use, commercial objectives, or relevant affiliations
• Incomplete attribution details

Can I revise and resubmit a rejected article?

In many cases, yes, if you significantly revise it and address the issues outlined here. Prior rejection does not guarantee re-review or acceptance, and we cannot always provide detailed feedback.

Fees, Pricing, and Payment

What do commercial contributions cost?

• Original, unpublished commercial article: €175, including up to three approved outbound links.
• Link insertion into an existing article: €75 per approved link.

PayPal transaction fees may apply when PayPal is used. These fees are separate from the listed contribution and placement prices.

Are non-commercial contributions free?

There is no contribution fee for an accepted non-commercial article. A submission's route depends on its purpose, content, links, and disclosures, not just on the contributor's job title.

Do you offer discounts?

No. Fees are fixed and non-negotiable for brands, agencies, resellers, and freelancers. There are no coupon codes, package deals, or bulk markdowns. Our pricing reflects the value of reaching a highly senior, global decision-maker audience.

What flexibility is available for long-term collaborations?

We can discuss alternative invoicing schedules, grouped publication timelines, or editorial series formats, agreed in writing with the editorial team. The per-article and per-link fees remain unchanged.

When and how do I pay?

Approved commercial submissions and link placements require full prepayment before going live, unless otherwise agreed in writing. Payment is due within 3 business days of the invoice date, and publication proceeds only after payment is received and confirmed.

We accept payment via PayPal to the business account of our Founder, Mithun A. Sridharan, or by bank transfer.

If payment is by bank or wire transfer, a PDF invoice will be issued. The bank account details for payments are:

Bank: ING

Account: Think Insights | c/o Mithun A. Sridharan

IBAN: DE68 5001 0517 5447 1015 80

BIC: INGDDEFFXXX

Note: Our denomination is Euro (we're based in Germany).

What if I do not pay in time?

The submission or link insertion may be cancelled or rescheduled at Think Insights' discretion.

Link Insertions in Existing Articles

Do you offer link insertions?

Yes. We accept a limited number of link insertions in thematically relevant existing articles, when the target page can genuinely deepen insight for readers. We do not force-fit links into unrelated content.

What do you require?

• Target page: High-quality, trustworthy, and substantively non-promotional, such as research, tools, case studies, or in-depth explanations. Thin landing pages and pure sales pages are not accepted.
• Anchor text: Natural, context-appropriate, and non-manipulative. Exact-match, keyword-stuffed, or misleading anchors are not accepted.
• Category: Your site must fall within our accepted categories. If unsure, enquire first (see Accepted Categories and Industries).

Are insertions permanent?

Approved links are permanent on a best-effort basis. We may edit or remove them if the destination changes, degrades in quality, or conflicts with our ethical or editorial standards.

Guidance for Content Marketers and Agencies

Do you accept commercial content?

Yes, from digital marketers, SEO specialists, content teams, agencies, and brands, provided reader value comes first and commercial goals are clearly disclosed. Commercial articles are subject to the fees in Fees, Pricing, and Payment.

Why Marketers Publish Commercial Articles

A commercial article can support a marketing strategy when it offers real value to readers and is transparent about its purpose. Here are seven reasons marketers choose Think Insights:

• Reach a senior professional audience. Publish for executives, board members, consultants, founders, and other decision-makers.
• Connect your subject to strategic issues. Explain how your expertise, service, or product relates to challenges organizations are addressing.
• Build credibility through useful analysis. Make a substantive case with evidence, examples, and practitioner insight instead of relying on a sales pitch.
• Place relevant links in context. Include up to three approved outbound links in an original commercial article, where they genuinely support the reader.
• Develop a coherent editorial series. Propose related articles that each stand on their own and contribute distinct value.
• Work with an editorial team. Collaborate on structure, wording, headlines, and presentation so the article meets Think Insights’ editorial standards.
• Use clear, fixed pricing. Know the standard article and link-insertion fees in advance, without discounts or bulk pricing.

Publishing does not guarantee acceptance, a particular publication date, link approval, audience response, or SEO results. See Fees, Pricing, and Payment and Links and SEO.

What should I prioritize?

• Anchor the piece in strategic, decision-relevant themes.
• Provide concrete examples and real-world applications.
• Base the article on genuine subject-matter expertise.
• Keep self-promotion proportionate and relevant.
• Clearly disclose the commercial objective, brand or product, and any requested link targets so the editor can assess the fit for both your goals and our readers.

Will you edit my article?

Yes. Our editorial team may edit headlines, structure, wording, and visuals to align with our tone and brand guidelines while preserving the article's useful message. We may reject or remove material that does not meet our standards.

Can we run a series or campaign?

Yes. We are open to editorial series and themed content, as long as each piece offers strong independent value to our audience. Series and campaign arrangements do not change the published per-article or per-link fees unless agreed in writing.

What should I do first if I have a specific link target?

Check that the target page aligns with our topics and accepted categories, then submit a concise pitch through the web form explaining the link's value, its ideal context, and whether you want a new article or an insertion into an existing one.

Recognition for Non-Commercial Authors

Think Insights recognizes authors who consistently contribute valuable non-commercial articles. Recognition is based on published non-commercial articles and the criteria below. Meeting a numerical threshold makes an author eligible for review; it does not guarantee a tier. The editorial team may consider article quality, publication dates, profile completion, and engagement when assessing eligibility.

Tier	Minimum articles	Required frequency	Additional criteria
Contributing Expert	1	No minimum frequency	First accepted and published article; completed author profile; compliance with editorial and disclosure standards
Distinguished Expert	6	At least 1 article every 90 days	At least 6 articles published in the past 12 months; consistently strong editorial quality; active engagement with reader comments or follow-up discussion
Thought Leader	12	At least 1 article every 60 days	At least 12 articles published in the past 12 months; original, high-impact perspectives; strong audience engagement; regular promotion of their work and participation in Think Insights community activities

The stated article counts refer to non-commercial articles published by Think Insights. Commercial articles and link insertions do not count toward these tiers. Recognition is based on ongoing contribution and does not alter editorial standards, acceptance decisions, or commercial pricing.

Rights, Licensing, and Legal

Who owns the copyright?

You retain the underlying copyright to your original work. Think Insights retains full rights to the published version, including headlines, edits, layout, and supplementary elements.

What license do I grant by submitting?

You grant Think Insights a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to edit, publish, distribute, translate, and archive the work across web, email, and curated collections in connection with our platforms and brand.

Can I republish my article elsewhere?

Unless agreed otherwise in writing, yes, provided the republication does not conflict with Think Insights' interests and credits the original publication with a link.

What do I warrant, and what indemnity applies?

You warrant that your material is original, does not infringe third-party rights, and that any quoted or referenced material is properly attributed and, where necessary, used with permission. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Think Insights, its editors, and affiliates against claims, damages, or liabilities arising from breaches of these warranties, including copyright violations or misleading claims.

Can you edit or remove content after publication?

Yes, at any time, to improve clarity, accuracy, compliance, or alignment with our editorial standards, including updating references and changing or removing links.

Is this professional advice, and do you guarantee outcomes?

No. All content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not legal, financial, investment, tax, or professional consulting advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or suitability of any content, or any business, reputational, or SEO outcome. Content is provided "as is."