Our aim is to have one guest blog on the forum per month. These guest blogs may be topics from the forum that seem to resonate with the community. Alternatively we may commission or request guest blogs from individuals and/or organisation on a topic we feel would benefit our beneficiaries.

This page outlines the process for managing both types of guest blogs.

Guest blogging guidelines

We have a small number of guidelines for our guest blogs. These are to ensure the content on My Stroke Guide is appropriate and relevant.

Guest blogs must:

• Relate to the experiences of stroke survivors and their carers.

  • Ideally the blog will be written by a stroke survivor and/or carer.

• Be between 400 and 1,000 words.

• Contain no promotion of products or services. Any recommendations must include the following disclaimer:

  • Disclaimer: The Stroke Association provides the details of other organisations and apps for information only. Inclusion on My Stroke Guide does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement.

• Be original content, i.e. not posted on other blogs or websites.

  • The exception to this is those guest blogs originating from posts on the MSG forum

• Be published under our generic “guest” user, but a brief author biography can be included where appropriate.

  • Backlinks to the organisation are welcome, but we would ask there to be fewer than two per 500 words.

• Have a hero image. If the author has an appropriate image they would like to use, we will try to use that if it is of suitable quality. If no, we will source one.

Process for scheduling guest blogs

Each month there will be a space created in Gather Contact for a guest blog. The date itself can be fairly fluid, although we would try to avoid posting two guest blogs one after the other.

When a new guest blog is proposed, the details of it will be added to the next free (or otherwise agreed) Gather Content item to hold its place.

Process for guest blogs based on forum topics and posts

The following process is for guest blogs that original on the forum. These could be a topic or sub-post.

Step 1: Topic identified

Any member of the Digital Products team can add a potential forum topic or post to the list. These will have a status of “Proposed - AT”, with the initials of the person who is suggesting it.

Step 2: SA approval of topic

These potential topics can then be discussed at the next content meeting. Approved topics will have a status of “Approved - MSG.” Any that are rejected in this meeting will have a status of “Rejected - MSG” with a reason stated. This is to prevent the team having to revisit the same topic.

Step 3: Author approval

Once a topic or post is approved by the team, the original author will be contacted about approving or rejecting the guest blog.

They will be assured that when a blog is created from a forum post:

• It will not have any material changes made to the content.

• Only the author’s My Stroke Guide forum username will be used to refer to them, unless otherwise agreed. Their full name will not be included without their expressed, written approval (email).

• A title, sub-headings and introduction will also be suggested by the MSG team, but also must be approved by the original author.

• A link to the original post will be included at the bottom of the blog so people can “join the conversation.”

• The blog may be included in the My Stroke Guide monthly newsletter or another Stroke Association publication, but full credit will always be made to the original author.

If rejected, the status will be changed to “Rejected - Author.” This is to prevent the team having to revisit the same topic.

Step 4: Scheduling

Approved topics will be added to the Gather Content schedule. The title, hero image, introduction and any subheadings will be sent to the author for approval.

The status of the topic will be changed to “Scheduled” in the list of possible topics.

Step 5: Publication

Once the guest blog has been published, the Digital Team will contact the author to let them know that their blog has gone live.

If the blog is going to be included in the monthly newsletter or other publication, the author should be notified beforehand (or as soon as possible afterwards).

The topic will also be changed to “Published” in the list of possible topics.

Process for guest blogs originating outside the forum

The following process is for when we commission a guest blog or are approached by someone wanting to write for us.

Step 1: Topic identified

Any member of the Digital Products team can add a potential topic to the list. They do not have to propose an author (either individual or organisation), but it suggestions or ideas would be nice.

These will have a status of “Proposed - MSG.”

Alternatively we may be contacted by someone proposing a guest blog, either internally or externally. These will also go on the list with a status of “Proposed - Author.”

Step 2: SA approval of topic

These potential topics can then be discussed at the next content meeting. If no author was proposed, we will need to brainstorm about who would be most appropriate.

Approved topics will have a status of “Approved - MSG.”

Any that are rejected in this meeting will have a status of “Rejected - MSG” with a reason stated. This is to prevent the team having to revisit the same topic.

If the topic was suggested by the author (or third party), the reasons for rejection will need to be communicated to them.

Step 3: Author approval

The Digital Team can then contact the proposed author to see if they would be interested in writing the blog. If they are interested in writing the blog the status of the item can be changed to “Approved - Author” or straight to “Scheduled” if that is part of the initial conversation.

Alternatively it may be changed to “Rejected - Author.” If the Digital Team still think this is a worthwhile topic to pursue, they may contact another author at this time. All authors must remain on the list to ensure a record of communication.

If the topic was suggested by the author or third party, the Digital Team will get in touch to let them know that the blog has been approved.

Step 4: Scheduling and editing

Author approved topics will be added to the next available item (or particular month) in the Gather Content schedule.

At this point the status is changed to “Scheduled.”

It is now the author’s responsibility to return the blog draft at least two weeks before the scheduled publication date. This is to ensure there is time to make any changes or edits, agree a hero image, etc.

Step 5: Publication

Once the guest blog has been published, the Digital Team will contact the author to let them know that their blog has gone live.

If the blog is going to be included in the monthly newsletter or other publication, the author should be notified beforehand (or as soon as possible afterwards).