Contributor Guidelines

Contribute Your Expertise to the MPUG Community!

MPUG is seeking insightful articles for its newsletter and website. Do you have valuable “how-to” techniques, insightful tips, or compelling case studies to share? We invite you to contribute your expertise and join our esteemed roster of writers.

Submitting Your Article: A Streamlined Process

  1. Craft a Compelling Pitch: Start by sending a concise description of your proposed article to editor@mpug.com. Briefly outline your technique, project management tip, tutorial of a software tool, or case study, emphasizing the key takeaways for MPUG readers.
  2. Receive Prompt Feedback: Our editor will evaluate your pitch and respond within a week. You’ll receive either an enthusiastic “Yes!”, a “Maybe, let’s refine your idea,” or a polite “Thank You, however this content does not align with MPUG’s intended market/membership interests,” along with potential alternative topics.

Essential Guidelines for Publication:

  • Originality is Key: We prioritize unpublished, fresh content tailored to MPUG’s audience. Feeling stuck? Our list of suggested topics below can spark your creativity.
  • Submission Simplicity: Send your article directly to editor@mpug.com with “MPUG Article Submission” in the subject line.
  • Clear Value Proposition: Highlight the article’s benefits for readers within the introductory paragraph.
  • Author Spotlight: Include a brief bio, headshot, and relevant website links alongside your article.
  • Website Link Management: If you wish to promote a specific website, mention it in your bio along with its URL for editorial review. Links within the article are typically avoided.
  • Visual Enhancements: Include screenshots directly within your Microsoft Word document, positioned where you envision them in the published version. Professional (as determined by MPUG), non-copywritten photographs are also acceptable. However, drawings or cartoons will not be accepted.
  • Word Count and Copyright: Articles should range from 300 to 1,500 words. You retain copyright of your original work, but MPUG requests a six-month exclusive on the edited version from publication (negotiable based on author agreement). After that, you can freely submit elsewhere. For previously published blog articles, we’ll acknowledge your blog and request the same six-month exclusivity outside your blog. Additionally, we reserve the right to indefinitely include your article in MPUG member and subscriber compilations.

Have Questions? We’re Here to Help!

Do not hesitate to reach out to editor@mpug.com with any questions. We’re eager to connect with you and welcome your valuable contributions to the MPUG community!

 Article Types to Consider:

  • Comprehensive How-Tos: These in-depth guides (600-2,500 words) explain specific operations using software, often incorporating numerous screenshots.
  • Actionable Tips: Share quick techniques for tackling specific tasks in 50-500 words, using one or two screenshots if necessary.
  • Engaging Case Studies: Describe a project management challenge, the intended solution and actual outcome (600-2,500 words). Anonymity for companies and clients is always respected.

Topics of Interest

Here is the 2024 list of relevant topics, in order of interest as determined by MPUG’s Membership.

Project Management Tools:

  • Effective Use of Artificial Intelligence Tools (#1 Membership Request)
  • Microsoft Project
  • Power BI
  • Excel
  • CoPilot
  • Jira
  • Smartsheet

Project Management Skills and Concerns:

  • Artificial Intelligence Integration
  • Agile Methodologies
  • Scope Creep
  • Stakeholder Management and Communications
  • Project Estimating
  • Project Budgeting
  • Risk Management and Mitigation
  • Project Scheduling

Professional Development and Soft Skills:

  • Power Skills
  • Communication
  • Work-life balance
  • Managing stress and work relationships

Ready to Share Your Ideas?

Now that you’ve reviewed the contributor guidelines, contact us at editor@mpug.com to get started! We look forward to hearing from you.