And that's why we are starting a bank for—and only for—people who are fanatical about dogs. That's right. Believe it or not. We are building an Internet-based bank, which we believe will transform banking--a tedious, unpleasant chore--into an enjoyable experience, and a way to connect further with your community of fellow dog lovers.
Being a member of Wag will be very little like any banking experience you have had, and a lot more akin to being a member of a passionate community of dog lovers. As such, Wag also serves as an online publication covering the intersection of personal finances and the dog lover's lifestyle.
That's where you come in.
LET'S GIVE YOU AN OVERVIEW OF WAG
Our Readers: Well, we're so new, we don't know for sure what our readers' demographics are yet. But we expect they will be college-educated, middle-class adults whose lives revolve around their dogs...and dogs in general. Some may be “weekend warriors,” going on hikes and adventures with their dogs, while others may even work in the pet and dog industry, at non-profits, doggie daycare or pet sitting businesses, pet stores, etc. They are already involved with the online communities of passionate dog lovers, and Wag is their newest resource, filling a void where they didn't have specialized content before: the intersection of money and dogs.
Our Writers: Most of the articles in Wag are written by freelancers. They are people who share this passion for dogs and want to share their expertise as well. Our writers are motivated by contributing to a dialog they care deeply about, and are proud to have a byline on a topic that matters to them.
GENERAL STANDARDS:
1. We do not publish poetry, fiction, or articles written from a personified perspective of the dog.
2. Word count: roughly 850 to 1,200 words for features; ideal if accompanied by high-quality images.
3. Wag does not accept unsolicited manuscripts; we accept brief pitches from potential writers. Please see the instructions for submitting a pitch below.
4. Please do not telephone with queries; we can't judge writing ability over the phone.
5. We respond to as many submissions as possible, but unfortunately cannot respond to all of them.
6. Your query should offer a well-focused idea, and descriptive information about how you plan to pursue the topic. Just as important, the query should demonstrate your writing ability. Include some brief background information and your writing credentials.
7. Articles published on Wag should be so narrowly focused on personal finance issues for fanatical dog lovers, that they could not realistically be published elsewhere. In other words, we are seeking one-of-a-kind niche content. For example, “How to Save Money When Owning a Dog” is far too broad for Wag. A more appropriate topic may be “How To Keep Costs Under Control For Your New Puppy,” because you could focus on how to manage the disproportionately large expenses that come with a new puppy.
8. If we are interested in your query, we will ask you for your resume and writing samples.
9. If we accept your proposal, we will send you a detailed assignment letter outlining what we want included in the article. All writers must agree to Wag's Writer's Agreement. Articles may be submitted by e-mail, as Microsoft Word e-mail attachments, or embedded in the e-mail.
10. We are not responsible for unsolicited materials.
11. A list of all sources of information, including names, titles, affiliations, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses must be included at the end of an article.
12. We have a tight production schedule; articles must be submitted by their assigned deadline and meet the specified length. The editors reserve the right to edit and cut for clarity and space, and to reject the article if it doesn't fulfill the assignment.
13. At least one accompanying photo is required for each article. They don’t need to be your own photos, and often photos from Flickr Creative Commons or another Creative Commons source are better quality and complement the article, so don’t feel compelled to use your own if they aren’t the best. Gathering photos is often more difficult than you’d expect, so it’s a good idea to confirm that usable photos are available before an idea is pitched, or at least before writing begins. We can give you more information on this process once you’ve contacted us with an idea.
14. We are only interested in articles that aren’t yet published, and Wag owns all future rights to the paid pieces you publish through us.
15. Wag pays on publication. Please submit an invoice to Wag within two weeks of publication of your article. Invoices are paid Net 30 and may be submitted to:
Creative Brand Communications, Inc.
c/o Wag
1526 NE Alberta, #120
Portland, OR 97211
SO WHAT TYPES OF CONTENT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
Glad you asked. Wag primarily publishes two forms of content: Feature articles and Guides. Feature articles comprise the vast majority or published pieces, as they are published multiple times per week. Guides are published on a less frequent basis, approximately quarterly.
Feature Articles
• A focused look into a specific topic related to finances and dogs
• Compensation: $45/article (Each article written by an individual author)
• Length: 850-1200 words
• Photo submission required
• Published as online posts, multiple times per week
• Credits: Byline; 50-word bio; Email address (optional)
Examples:
◦ Top 10 Ways You Can Keep New Puppy Vet Bills Under Control
◦ Dog Friendly Companies You Can Invest In
◦ Cost-Effective Ways to Travel With Your Dog
Guides
• A deep exploration of a large topic related to finances and dogs
• Compensation: Dependent upon contribution (Multiple contributors often involved)
• Length: 5000-8000 words
• Photo submissions required
• Published as downloadable PDFs, on a quarterly basis
• Credits: Byline; 100-word bio; Email address (optional)
Examples:
◦ Complete Guide to Evaluating and Selecting Pet Insurance For Your Dog
◦ How To Choose and Start a Dog-Oriented Small Business
HERE'S HOW TO GET STARTED WRITING FOR WAG
Step 1: Pitch us your idea!
Send us an email to articles@dog-bank.com with clear answers to the following questions:
- Name
- Have you written for Wag in the past?
- Link to online writing samples
- Type of article you are pitching (Feature article or Guide)
- Proposed Article Title
- Description of Article (less than 100 words please)
- Article Outline
- Why are you the right person to write this article?
Step 2: Our editor will contact you if we are able to accept your pitch. We will send you a Writer's Agreement which includes a recap of your article assignment, details and our standard terms and conditions. Please submit your signed copy of the agreement...and get started!
Step 3: If your article is accepted, write your article and send it to us when it is complete. When complete, you can email you article to us at articles@dog-bank.com as a Word document, or embedded in the body of your email. Please submit your photos as .jpeg files. Please also include a 50-word bio, and let us know if you would like us to publish your email address in the credits.
HERE ARE THE GUIDELINES WAG WRITERS FOLLOW
OFFICIAL WAG WRITING STYLE
In general, we encourage each writer to let his or her own voice come through in the articles. However, we do have some guidelines to help you fit the Wag style.
Formatting basics
• We use the down style of capitalization in our sub-headers. So: it’s “How to save,” not “How to Save”. Titles are capitalized in title style “10 Ways to Save On Vet Bills”
• Though your tone may be casual and informal, writing an article for Wag is not the same as writing an email or a personal blog post. Watch your use of slang and never use all caps or multiple exclamation points for emphasis. If you must use italics or exclamation points for emphasis, use them sparingly.
• Avoid dog-oriented puns
• Don’t make assumptions or sweeping generalizations. “Every dog lovers needs _____,” or “You must _____.” Not every dog lover shares the exact same perspective on all topics. Watch your use of “best” as well. What it makes it the best? Unless you can confidently say you know it is the best, find another way to describe it.
Editorial Style & Policy
We do reserve the right to edit and to make changes to your article. If you submit something but stipulate that we cannot edit or proofread it, then unfortunately we won’t be able to publish your work.
Proofreading, English Language & HTML.
All articles should be written in vernacular-but-professional English. We check spelling and glance at grammar. We reserve the right to make changes at our discretion, however we will not make major changes that affect the tone or meaning of your writing without your approval.
Major Changes
Every once in a while we might see something that could use a little more work. If so, we contact
you with our suggestions for the relevant text. Then we will work together to finalize any changes.
Accuracy, Libel & Originality
When you submit your work to Wag, we give you as much freedom, leeway and latitude as possible. We know you know your stuff, but at the same time, we have to state that when you submit your article, you also are agreeing to and stating that each of the following is true:
• The article is accurate, to the best of your ability.
• The article is not libelous, and does not contain libel.
• The article is original; that is, the article is your own writing, not someone else’s, and the article and no part of the article infringes on someone’s copyright.
• You retain sufficient rights and copyright to submit the article, and that Wag has permission to edit and publish it.
• Wag is not responsible or liable for any errors in your submission or for any problems, inconveniences, etc. that might arise with anyone from such errors.
Should Wag be notified of any problems with your article as regards the above, we will get in touch with you to help get everything resolved.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
For inquiries: articles@dog-bank.com
For submissions: articles@dog-bank.com
Website: http://www.dog-bank.com
