Target Audience
Our target audience includes plumbing, hydronic and mechanical systems professionals. These include company owners/operators, administrators, technicians, and system designers working in the residential or commercial space (including new construction, service/maintenance, remodel/refit) as well as those performing industrial, institutional and municipal work.
Content Focus
Of particular interest are articles: (1) describing problems encountered and how they have been solved; (2) featuring an unusual installation or application; and (3) presenting labor-saving/cost-saving methods or designs. While the piece may discuss particular brands of tools, equipment or software, the focus should remain on the contractor, their business, and the work they are performing.
General Considerations
- Keep to AP Style.
- Avoid commercial language and claims that cannot be substantiated such as “best in class,” “better than,” “unprecedented,” etc.
- Avoid quotes that do not add information to the story, such as “I am excited that”
- Digital images should be at least 770 pixels wide for optimal use.
- CONTRACTOR editorial team reserves the right to edit content for grammar and readability.
- Contributions may be included in newsletters and posted to social media.
- A signed contributor agreement/license is required for publication.
Content Types
Case Studies: Case studies generally run anywhere from 800 to 1,500 words. They discuss how a contractor successfully used a specific product, method or technology to benefit its business, customers, and/or operations. Please do not be afraid to include challenges, obstacles and what did and didn’t work. Include relevant images and diagrams.
Examples:
Empire State Building Uses Machine Intelligence to Improve Sustainability
Heating System Passes Test at Student Housing
Best Practices Column: Best Practices columns are bylined articles typically 800 to 1,100 words in length that discuss a particular business or technical topic in depth. If we choose to publish, we will need a headshot and a brief (50-75 words) bio of the author.
Examples:
9 Plumbing Technologies Everyone Wants
Should You File for the Employee Retention Credit?
Legal Ramifications of the Labor Shortage
5 Reasons Contractors Should Consider an ESOP
Thought Leadership: Typically 800- to 1,500 words covering a pressing issue in the industry. What problems do you have? What are your ideas to solve them? Or write about a trend you have observed and how it will change or better the industry.
Examples:
Is Full Electrification of the Built Environment the Only Solution?
Regulatory Challenges and Opportunities in 2022
News or Products: These are the traditional news or product press releases. We produce weekly online product galleries, and most of those products make their way into our print edition. We publish news about company anniversaries, new hires, promotions, executive leadership changes, community outreach programs and much more.
Weekly Product Galleries:
Sloan Valve, General PIpe Cleaners, Watts, METUS, Saniflo
News Analysis: Take a recent news event or story and write an informed opinion about it. Provide a link to the original story.
Gallery/Slide Show: Collect 8-12 images that tell a story, and include a short intro (about 200 words) and a caption for each photo. Horizontal images at least 1,000 pixels wide are optimal. Possible slide shows include how-tos (step-by-step photos), projects, restorations, etc.
Whitepaper: We will accept traditional whitepapers; these may already be on your site or in your files and we would be glad to consider them.
Submit your contributions to Steve Spaulding, Editor-in-Chief, at [email protected].
Note: Fee-based Sponsored Content is also an option. Ask us about our Preferred Media Partner Program which includes metrics reports and extra promotion of content.