Collaborate With Us – For Businesses Contributing Articles to the Smart Strata Weekly News Channel
Writing Guide
Smart Strata is committed to delivering accurate, accessible and engaging strata industry information to a diverse readership of over 60,000 subscribers. Our goal is simple: to help our community stay informed, confident and engaged with what’s happening in the world of strata. Our weekly news channel includes state-based updates, industry insights, and expert commentary relevant to strata owners, committees, managers, residents and suppliers.
This guide is here to help contributors in crafting high-quality, educational articles that align with Smart Strata’s values: inform, inspire, educate, and spark discussion. While contributors are industry suppliers, articles should showcase your expertise through value-driven educational insights and non salesy advertisements.
Who You Are Writing For
Our audience includes:
- Strata professionals.
- Industry suppliers.
- Committee members.
- Residents and property owners.
- Body corporate managers.
- Building managers and caretakers.
- Developers.
- Investors.
Because readers come from all experience levels, we aim to keep articles clear, friendly and easy to follow. Light industry terms are fine, but it helps to explain any jargon or specialised language along the way.
Article Types
We welcome educational articles related to your field of expertise, including:
- Advice: general guidance or helpful explanations.
- Guides: practical “how-to” steps or overviews.
- Industry Trends: commentary on what’s happening in your field.
- Industry Data: insights drawn from reputable sources.
Article Tone & Positioning
Smart Strata’s tone is:
- Professional and trustworthy.
- Friendly and approachable.
- Neutral and balanced.
- Easy for anyone to understand.
We avoid:
- Sales pitches.
- Industry politics.
- Aggressive or negative language.
- Unverified claims or assumptions.
Each sentence ideally contributes to informing, guiding or sparking thoughtful discussion.
Article Structure & Length
Articles generally work best at 500–1,000 words, giving enough space to explore a topic without overwhelming readers.
A helpful structure usually includes:
Short, Clear Headline (no more than 5 words)
Your headline is used for search and future reference, so try to keep it relevant and focused.
Engaging First Paragraph
This paragraph appears in our newsletter and as the preview on the Smart Strata website. It’s your chance to quickly let readers know what your article covers and why it matters.
Main Content with Subheadings (Each Word Capitalised)
Break up your article into sections with short paragraphs, helpful lists or examples.
Closing Statement
Summarise the core message and reinforce the educational takeaway.
Formatting & Style Tips
- Using Australian English spelling.
- Spell out acronyms on first use, e.g., Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA).
- Writing in an active, engaging voice.
- Vary sentence length to maintain reader engagement.
- Avoid over repeating words.
- Use hyphens where appropriate: one-bedroom, mixed-use.
- Make subjects clear: instead of “They recently…” → “The construction firm recently…”
- High-quality images may be included (no size limit), including charts/graphs.
Friendly Compliance & Responsible Writing
We enjoy sharing a wide range of expert views and want to ensure they remain helpful, accurate and respectful.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Legal interpretations are best left to lawyers.
- Legislative references should only be included when you’re qualified to comment.
- Avoid naming individuals or commenting on disputes.
- Keep content factual and avoid speculation.
- Link only to reputable, trusted sources.
- Articles are intended as general guidance, not personalised advice.
Image & Visual Guidelines
You’re welcome to include:
- Photos.
- Charts.
- Graphs.
- Diagrams.
Smart Strata may replace images with our own stock imagery if needed to maintain consistent quality across the website.
Using AI in Your Writing
AI tools can be helpful for brainstorming or drafting ideas, and you’re welcome to use them.
We simply ask that your article still has the human touch and reflects your expertise and experience.
Purely AI-generated content tends to sound flat or generic, so adding your own voice and insights makes a big difference.
Submission Process
You’re welcome to submit content at any time. Submit your article as a Word Document using the upload form at the bottom of the Smart Strata “Collaborate With Us” page or by emailing us the document at info@smartstrata.com.
Please note: Each article is reviewed to assess its suitability for our audience before being approved and scheduled for publication.
How Often Articles Are Published
Supplier articles are published 8am every Friday, on a rotation basis, usually quarterly, depending on the number of submissions from each contributor. Deadline to have your article for publishing approval is by close of business Tuesdays.
Publication Scheduling
If an article suits a specific time of year or would sit better in a different week, we may hold it for a later scheduled publication.
Contributor Preview
Contributors will receive a sneak peek of their formatted article the day before publication goes live.
Author Credit & Attribution
Every published article includes:
- Contributor name.
- Job title.
- Link to the contributor’s active Smart Strata business listing.
- Contributors photo (optional and used only if quality is suitable).
We don’t include business logos or bios, as these are already available through your listing which is linked from your article.
Examples of Good vs Not-So-Good Headlines
Strong Headlines (< 5 words, topic-specific)
- Insurance Premiums Explained.
- Understanding Building Defects.
- Strata Parking Challenges.
- The Cost of Compliance.
- Committee Decision Deadlocks.
Headlines That Don’t Work as Well
- All About Committees and What They Should Do — too long.
- Important Industry Update!!! — vague and a bit dramatic.
- Are You Ready? — doesn’t indicate the topic.
- Fix Your Building Problems — sounds sales-oriented.
- How To Handle Everything in Your Scheme — too broad.
Example First Paragraph
Strata communities across Queensland continue to face evolving challenges — from legislative changes to rising insurance costs and complex maintenance responsibilities. This article explores key factors shaping today’s strata environment and highlights practical ideas that committees, owners and managers can consider when navigating these issues.
Contributor Checklist
A quick way to make sure your article is ready to send:
Content
- Focused on education, not promotion.
- Reflects your professional expertise.
- Clear explanations without jargon where possible.
- Neutral, factual and respectful.
Structure
- Headline is relevant and short (< 5 words).
- First paragraph is engaging and informative.
- Subheadings have each word capitalised.
- Article is between 500–1,000 words.
- Writing flows naturally and is easy to follow.
Formatting
- Australian English.
- Acronyms spelled out first time.
- High-quality images or charts included (optional).
- Word document format.
Responsible Writing
- No legal advice unless qualified.
- No naming individuals or commenting on disputes.
- Links are from trusted sources.
- No speculation or promotional claims.
Submission
- Uploaded through the Smart Strata “Collaborate with Us” form or email us.