• Free publicity for your company, organization, consulting service, training service, product, website, newsletter, book, etc. 
  
  

• To gain experience as a writer.
  
  

• To get publishing credits. This can be important if you want to begin writing magazine articles or books, and you don't have any writing credits to include on your resume.
  
  

• To build publishing credits on your resume to help you find a better job.
  
  

• An opportunity to share your knowledge with others. We all learn unique skills on our job that others don't know, and many of us like to share this knowledge.

If you write one or more articles for us, we will give you your own author's webpage where you can include any information you want about yourself, including your resume if you like, or even your own banner ad to promote most whatever you would like.

What Types of Articles Are We Looking For?

In general, we are looking for reviews of world class gear and clothing, and articles on how to get the most out of outdoor gear and clothing.

Article Guidelines

Your article ideally should include the following:

• Articles should be between 1,000 and 2,500 words.
  
  

• Should show our visitors how to do something useful, or how to do something better, or how to be more productive.
  
  

• Be tutorial and how-to in nature.
  
  

• Provide practical, real-world information.
  
  

• Include lots of practical advice based on your own real-life experiences.
  
  

• Explain the "why" along with the "how-to" (very important).
  

• Include appropriate digital photos (JPG)

Gear Review Guidelines

If you are writing a product review, keep in mind that we only want to publish positive reviews, not negative reviews, on world class caliber products. This means if you dislike product, then don't send us a review for that  product. Only send reviews for products that you actually use and feel are world class.

In addition:

• Reviews should be between 1,000 and 2,500 words.
  
  

• Should include the full name of the book or product, copyright date, author (if applicable), the publisher, retail price; and if a product review, information on how to purchase it, such as a website URL.
  
  

• The review should specify for whom the product is recommended (the target audience).
  
  

• The review should outline the product's key features.
  
  

• The review should describe why it would benefit the target audience. This point is very important.
  
  

• If the product is not perfect, which they never are, you can include some less that perfect information about the product, as long as the overall product is worthy.
  

• Don't send us a review if you have any direct or in-direct financial interest with the company that is making or selling the product.
  

• Include appropriate digital photos (JPG)

Target Our Audience

Our audience includes the following:

• Hikers
  
  

• Backpackers
  
  

• Trekkers
  
  

• Mountaineers
  
  

• Adventure travelers
  
  

• Outdoor enthusiasts and travelers

How Do We Determine Which Tips and Articles We Publish?

When you send us an article or review,  we evaluate it using these guidelines:

• Does it fit within our stated writer's guidelines?
  
  

• How original is the idea?
  
  

• How much writing experience does the writer have?
  
  

• How does the submission compare to other submissions that we have been current submitted?
  
  

• Do we have similar articles or reviews already on our website? Please check our website to see that we have not already covered the topic recently before sending us your idea.

If we decide that we like review or articles you have submitted, we will contact you, letting you know when the article will be published on our website. If we don't decide to publish your review or article, don't take it too hard. We encourage you to send as many reviews or articles as you like.

What Rights to Your Submissions Do We Want?

When you send us an tip, review, or article, we want your permission to publish it on our website, only. We will not publish it elsewhere, and if you should ever want us to remove your tip, review, or article after it has been published, we will do so.

Will You Publish Articles or Reviews That Have Been Printed Elsewhere?

No, we only publish original content.

How Do I Physically Submit My Review or Article?

We ask that you submit the tip, review, or article using the Microsoft Word (97, 2000, XP) format. If this is not possible, then we can accept articles in ASCII text format. When submitting your tips, reviews, or articles, please follow these suggested guidelines. If you don't follow them exactly, no big deal, but it sure will save us a lot of time if you do.

• At the top of the tip or article, include your full name, mailing address, daytime phone number, and e-mail address.
  
  

• Style should be Normal.
  
  

• Font should be Times New Roman.
  
  

• Font size should be 11 point.
  
  

• Standard margins.
  
  

• Single space.
  
  

• Left justified.
  
  

• Separate each paragraph with a single carriage return. Do not indent paragraphs.
  
  

• Separate code listings with a single carriage return before and after the code listing.
  
  

• List titles and headings one space above the appropriate paragraph. We encourage you to use lots of subheadings.
  
  

• If you have bulleted points or numbered steps, then by all means use bullets and numbering.
  
  

• Do not bold, italicize, or add any special formatting to your text.
  
  

• Do not add page numbers or footers or headers to each page.
  
  

• Save the article or review in the Word format, not text, HTML, or any other format. But if you don't have Word, then we will accept articles in the ASCII text format.
  
  Photos should be submitted at a resolution of 300x300 or higher in the JPG format. Please don't embed the photos in Word documents.
  
  

• Please include (as part of your article, at the bottom of the document) a short biography of about 25-100 words. We will include this with the article. If you like, include your e-mail address, company name, or website with the bio.
  
  

• Submit the via e-mail to webmaster@worldclassgear.

How Does the Editorial Process Work?

Once you have submitted us a tip or article, we go through an editorial review process, checking the content for accuracy and performing copyediting. This process can take from 1-3 weeks. Once the editorial process is complete, we will schedule your tip, review, or article for publication on our website.

All Reviews Articles, and Photos Must Be Original

We do not accept any content, including tips, articles, code, illustrations, figures, or other content that is not 100% original and created by you. Plagiarism in any form is not permitted.

What Are Our Writing Style Guidelines?

Rather than for us to tell you how to write, we suggest you check out these websites for advice on article writing and writing style:

• The Elements of Style (a must read) www.bartleby.com/141/ or coba.shsu.edu/help/strunk/
  
  

• Guide to Grammar and Writing webster.commnet.edu/grammar/index.htm
  
  

• Writing Corner www.writingcorner.com/
  
  

• Writer's Digest Magazine www.writersdigest.com/index.htm
  

These guidelines are subject to change at any time.