Who is an AptChat Contributor?

You’ve always loved creative writing and clever wordplay. Maybe you worked for a local newspaper, or you write a personal blog. Somewhere along the way, you ended up in property management, or technology, or advertising.

Now, you’re the person who loves coming up with great copy for the new property brochure, or writing a company training session that gets the point across to the entire team, or crafting a well-organized blog post that articulates an idea you’ve been working through.

This is where we step in with a suggestion:

You should write (or record a video) for Apartment Chat!

AptChat has been the online home for the best apartment marketing news, trends, insight, opinions, and discussion since 2009.

Now we’re extending that discussion even further by giving you the opportunity to contribute and collaborate with other thought leaders representing every aspect of the multifamily industry.

We think you should write for AptChat. Seriously. Here’s how to get started…

Send your contact information here. Include a sample of your best writing, and a few important industry topics you think more people should know about.

Who can contribute?

Anyone with a passion for multifamily and apartment marketing can become an AptChat contributor. Leasing agents, regional marketing managers, maintenance supervisors, association leaders, technology developers, ILS executives, thought leaders, marketers and other service providers are invited and encouraged to contribute.

How often can I contribute?

We’d love for you to contribute one or two articles a month. Don’t feel like it’s an added burden — write as often as you like if you want to increase your visibility and build your personal brand.

What should I write about?

Topics that matter to you, your residents, your industry peers, colleagues, competitors, vendors, customers, and multifamily industry leaders
A specific niche within the multifamily industry (student housing or new lease-ups, for example)
A personal experience that taught you a lesson or two
A unique, valuable insight no one else can offer
The pros and cons about an industry practice or policy, an accepted “best practice” that no longer works, or anything else controversial
Educate your peers about a new process, practice or technology that helped grow your business

Need some inspiration? Here are a few ideas to help you get the wheels turning.

If you haven’t read about it, write about it.

Not sure how to approach your idea? Talk to us … we’d love to you share your idea in the most effective way possible. Contact us here or message us if you have ideas for articles you would like to contribute.

Tips for writers

Articles should be 500-800 words (or longer, if the subject merits it).
Start with a headline and follow with an outline.
Limit your introduction; get to the point.
Offering advice? Provide 3-5 (but no more than 10) action items or takeaways.
Provide real examples. Results always trump theory and hypotheticals.
Share anecdotes to provide color and make your article unique.
Use simple, direct prose and active verbs.
Use Associated Press (AP) style. Contact us if you’d like more resources to help you as a writer.
No commercials for you or your company, please.
Every writer needs an editor. Ask a colleague to review your article to make sure the points you make are clear before you submit it.

How do I submit an article?

Think you’d be a good fit? If so, please submit the following here:

Sample links to articles you’ve published already (Don’t have any yet? Send us your relevant social media profiles.)
A brief summary of your areas of expertise and the topics you’d like to write about
A summary and outline of your proposed article

Please only suggest topics that are highly relevant to our audience of apartment marketers.

AptChat publishes all of our articles on WordPress. Before you submit an article for publication, contact us.

Do I need to provide images?

We appreciate original photography, but we are not able to accept copyrighted material. If you have an idea about how to illustrate your article, talk to us!

What happens after I submit my article?

Our editors will review it for content and determine where it fits with our upcoming editorial calendar. We may ask you to make some edits, such as elaborating on aspects of the piece we think readers will find interesting. When your article is ready for publication, you’ll be notified so that you’ll know when to visit AptChat, see your article and share it with the world!

Do you edit my article?

All submissions to AptChat are reviewed by our editorial team for compliance with AP style guidelines and publishing policies. AptChat reserves the right to edit all article headlines and other content to ensure that contributed articles are read by as many of our community members as possible.

Can I republish my existing content on AptChat?

Submissions to AptChat should be written or recorded specifically for publication in AptChat. If you have previously published content that seems particularly well suited for the AptChat community, we would be happy to review it.

What about publication rights?

All submissions become the property of AptChat upon publication. You are free to share them and link to your articles in any way you like.