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Guest post guidelines

Social Media Twist Guest Post Guidelines

Social Media Twist guest post guidelines on what we publish, how to test your steps, how to write your Twist, link rules and how to pitch.

These guest post guidelines explain what Social Media Twist publishes, how to test your steps, how to write the Twist and what happens after you pitch. Read them once before you send an idea. A pitch that follows them gets a faster answer.

Our Guest Post Guidelines in Short

Five Things to Know

  • Choose a topic you have tested yourself on a real account.
  • Pitch a title, an outline, your Twist in one line and two writing samples.
  • Illustrate the guide with your own screenshots.
  • Add one helpful in text link and one link in your bio.
  • Namrata Arora edits every guest post before it goes live.

Writers We are Looking For

We want writers who manage real accounts, like creators, social media managers, freelancers, agency teams and small business owners who post for their own brand. You do not need a big following. You need firsthand experience with the topic and the patience to explain it step by step.

If your only experience is reading about a feature, this is not the right place for that topic yet.

What We Publish

We accept four kinds of guest posts on Social Media Twist:

Platform How to Guides

Settings, privacy, features and fixes for Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, X, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Snapchat and newer apps.

Captions and Ideas

Themed caption lists, bio ideas, usernames and post ideas you have used yourself.

Marketing

Strategy, creator partnerships, content planning and selling on social.

Tools and Data

Tool comparisons, analytics, reporting and community management.

We do not publish general opinion pieces, news rewrites or lists with no steps. Check our site search first so you do not pitch a guide we already have.

The Twist: The One Rule in Our Guest Post Guidelines

Every guest post ends with a Twist. It is a short box of 40 to 80 words with something you found out yourself that the official help articles do not say. It carries your name.

A post without a Twist does not go live. If you cannot think of one, the topic is probably not the right fit for you yet.

Counts as a Twist

  • "I posted the same Reel at 9am and 7pm for two weeks. The evening post got more saves. The morning one got more shares."
  • "After the last update the setting moved. On Android it now sits under Privacy, not Account."
  • "A client's ad was rejected for this wording. This version was approved the same day."

Does Not Count

  • "Consistency is key."
  • "Engage with your audience."
  • A step copied from the guide.

Testing Your Guide

Every guest post is tested. Our editorial policy calls that label Tested, and it means every step is tried on a live account before it is written.

  1. Use the latest app version. Update the app before you start and note the version number.
  2. Note your device. Write down the phone model, the iOS or Android version and the date of your test.
  3. Check both phones if the steps differ. Could only test one? Say which in the guide.
  4. Keep notes as you go. Write down anything that surprised you. That note becomes your Twist.

Screenshots and Images

Do

  • Take your own screenshots from your own account or a test account.
  • Blur names, faces, handles and messages that are not yours.
  • Send images as WebP or PNG files at least 1080 pixels wide. We convert them to WebP before we publish.
  • Add a short note for every image saying what it shows. We use it to write the alt text.

Do Not

  • Use AI generated screenshots.
  • Use stock photos of phones.
  • Take images from other sites.

Formatting and Style

Start With a Quick Answer

Two or three lines that solve the problem before any background.

Clear H2 and H3 Headings

Match what a reader would type into search.

Number the Steps

For anything the reader does in order. One action per step.

Short Paragraphs

Three or four lines on a phone screen.

A Short FAQ

Three to five questions people really ask about the topic.

Length

Aim for 1,000 to 1,800 words on a how to. Caption lists can be shorter.

We will send you a simple template once your pitch is accepted.

Social Media Twist readers come for a fix. Write the way you would explain the steps to a friend sitting next to you. Use plain words, short sentences and "you". Skip long intros, filler phrases and hype. If a sentence does not help the reader finish the task, cut it.

Sources and Facts

  • Link the original source for every statistic and add the year the data was collected.
  • Prefer official help centres, company announcements and published research.
  • Do not invent numbers, quotes or results. Not sure? Leave it out.

Our guest post guidelines allow two links per post:

  • One relevant in text link and one link in your author bio.
  • Links must help the reader. Our editor can change or remove any link.
  • Paid or affiliate links are labelled as sponsored and carry rel="sponsored". An undisclosed paid link gets the post removed.
  • We do not accept links to casino, adult, CBD, payday loan or essay writing sites.

Using AI Tools

On AI, these guest post guidelines match the rules we follow ourselves. AI tools are fine for research or a rough outline. You cannot use them to write the Twist, invent test results or create screenshots. You are responsible for every fact in your guide. If a draft reads like unedited AI text, we send it back.

What We will Not Publish

  • Posts already published anywhere else, including your own blog or LinkedIn
  • Guides you have not tested yourself
  • Tips that break a platform's terms, like buying followers or using automation bots
  • Content that asks readers for their passwords or login codes
  • Posts written mainly to place a link

What Happens After You Pitch

  1. Send your pitch. Email connect@smtwist.com with a title, a short outline, your Twist in one line and two writing samples. The checklist is on Write for Us.
  2. We reply within 7 working days if the topic fits. If you hear nothing after 14 days, you are free to pitch it elsewhere.
  3. You write and we edit. Draft the guide on our template and send it as a Google Doc with your screenshots in a shared folder. Namrata Arora checks your steps, edits for clarity and can send you one round of questions.
  4. It goes live. Your guide appears on Social Media Twist with your byline, author profile and bio link. We publish your name, photo and bio only after you say yes in an email. You can ask us to remove them at any time. We email you the link.

Payment and Sponsored Posts

Payment is not offered. In return for a guest post you get a byline, your own author profile and one link back to your site or profile.

Want to pay for a placement? That is a sponsored post, not a guest post. Our advertising details explain how that works.

After Your Post is Live

Share It

Send it to your own audience and link to it from your site.

We Keep It Current

If the app changes, we can update your steps and the date. Your name stays on the guide.

Spotted a Mistake?

Email us with the link and we will fix it.

FAQ

Do you accept guest posts on Social Media Twist?

Yes. We accept tested how to guides, caption lists and marketing posts from people who manage real accounts. Read these guest post guidelines first, then email your pitch as Write for Us explains.

Are guest posts paid?

No. Guest posts are unpaid. You get a byline, your own author profile and one link in your bio.

How long should a guest post be?

Most how to guides land between 1,000 and 1,800 words. Write as much as the task needs and stop there.

Can I use AI to write my guest post?

You can use AI for research or a rough outline. You must test the steps yourself and the Twist must be in your own words.

Can I republish my guest post on my own blog?

No. Your post must stay unique to SMTwist. You can share a short summary with a link to the full guide.

What if my pitch is turned down?

Pitch a different topic any time. Most pitches are turned down because we already cover the topic or the Twist is not firsthand.