Personal finance columns available to all FPA members

As a biz editor in Nashville and Norfolk, one of my goals was to generate more local copy and keep within budgets. I found that reader-generated content, even back in the early 2000s, was greatly appreciated by both consumers of business news and those in the business community. But I worried that folks were taking things off the shelf, and pasting their name to it. So I developed an agreement that was sent to prospective contributors either when they inquired "how to write for you" or when a column came in. Essentially, the agreement was intended to minimize - and hopefully eliminate - copy generated by a third party. For biz editors and others faced with this situation, the agreement is below. Please borrow the concept and, of course, put it in your own words.

Dear Contributor:

Thank you for your interest in writing for the Business Forum in The Virginian-Pilot Business section. We value the exchange of expertise and ideas, and welcome your contribution for our consideration.

As you know, we do not pay for these submissions. We also ask that the following guidelines be met:

• Articles should be no longer than 550 words given our new format. Longer articles will be accepted and subject to editing and trimming.
• The articles will be written largely by the named contributor(s) although staff and other sources can be used. The Pilot will not knowingly use canned material from financial information services or sources, including a parent company, and ask that contributors simply not submit articles from these sources.
• Articles should include a “tagline” identifying the writer and his or her affiliation. Including contact information is at the discretion of the writer although telephone and e-mail, if available, must be provided to The Pilot.
• The article should not have appeared in another publication in Hampton Roads unless disclosed to The Pilot prior to publication.
• The Pilot reserves the right to edit and package the articles consistent with the design of the section and the principles of journalism.
• The Pilot reserves final decision on use of any submission.

By emailing or faxing this form back to Bill Choyke, business editor of The Virginian-Pilot, the contributor agrees to the conditions above.

On behalf of The Pilot, we thank you for your interest and contribution. Please call me at (757) 446-2359 if you need to discuss this information further.

Signed
fax number etc