NSights blogger guidelines

NSights is an official communication channel of the University of Nevada, Reno. It offers perspectives from the faculty, staff and students of the University on issues of importance in the ongoing conversation within our University and the many communities it serves.

This inclusive online venue offers readers an opportunity to hear, read and participate in diverse and thought-provoking dialogue with university experts.

Viewpoints are shared around relevant issues of importance to the campus, the community, the region, the state and the world. NSights was created to give voice to ideas and opinions in a forum that welcomes collegial and constructive comment.

Please note that while everyone is welcome to make a blog submission, not every submission will be published. It is left to the discretion of the Office of Marketing and Communications if, how and when a submission will be published.

NSights reserves the right to edit all submissions prior to publication, though authors will be contacted regarding any major changes.

General guidelines for NSights submissions

Subject matter: Expert viewpoints related to topical issues that affect the University of Nevada, Reno and the many communities it serves. The title and subtitle of your submission may be changed to best fit the content strategy of NSights.
Length: 350 to 1,000 words
Tone: First person; knowledgeable yet approachable; respectful; conversational; accessible; humanized; readable/entertaining. Remember this is coming from an official University of Nevada, Reno communications outlet, so submissions should be appropriate and relevant to the University community.
Byline: Include your name, your position or affiliation with the campus and a 50-word or less bio.
Author image: Attach one author image with your submission. We are looking for a photo no larger than 3MB.
Other images: Other images are not mandatory. Depending on the subject, however, they can help tell your story. Submit no more than five, high resolution files. Include caption information for all images submitted.
When will the submission be published: A submission is not guaranteed to be published. If the submission fits into the publishing cycle, it will likely be published within 4 weeks of submission.

If your submission has a date-specific component, we will do our best to post on (for observances) or before (for promoting events) the date in question.

Thoughts expressed in NSights are those of the contributors and do not reflect the University’s official position on a particular topic.

Hints for a successful submission

Establish your main message early. Make the point of your post within the first few lines and make it very clear.
Be descriptive. Don’t just tell readers. Use language that shows and explains.
To increase connection with your audience, consider making the post personal. Share things you’ve done and seen, lessons you’ve learned, problems you’ve solved, experiences that transformed how you view yourself and the world.
Deal in concrete examples. Provide description. Deliver “a-ha” moments where something important was realized and a lesson was learned.
Avoid the credibility trap and use self-disclosure. Disclose any relationships or partnerships which could be seen as a conflict and lessen your credibility as an expert.
Avoid self-promotion. Self-promotion is best served cold, in your 50-word bio.
Use a friendly, conversational voice. Use the pronouns “we” and “you” often.
Give credit. Check quotations. Double-check facts. Cite sources in a “journalistic” style rather than an “academic” style.
Use the Associated Press Stylebook as your guide.
Don’t be afraid to elicit emotion from your readers.
Write something that will move people to think, to question, to contextualize their thinking.
Write in short paragraphs and use a lot of white space on the page.

How to submit an NSights blog

Submitting a blog post is simple! Just draft your post with all relevant information in a Word Document and email it to communications@unr.edu as an attachment along with your headshot and any other photos you’d like to include. Please use “NSights blog submission” somewhere in your subject line.

You’ll be contacted by the editor of Nevada Today about your submission.

Submit an NSights blog