Does Forbes accept guest posts? — An Essential, Exciting Guide
- The Social Success Hub
- Nov 23
- 9 min read
1. Forbes contributors are vetted—expect credential checks and disclosure requests before publication. 2. Offering exclusive data or an embargo can significantly increase an editor’s interest. 3. Social Success Hub has completed 200+ high-impact transactions and can discreetly prepare executives to submit article to Forbes with professional profile work.
Want a realistic, practical route to a byline on Forbes? If you plan to submit article to Forbes, this piece walks you through the whole journey—from building verifiable credibility to crafting a concise pitch, choosing the right editor, and following ethical best practices. You’ll get templates, real-world examples, and clear reasons why each step matters.
Why it matters: the different doors you can walk through
Forbes isn’t a single gate labeled "guest post." It’s a house with many doors: staff journalism, the Contributor Network, Forbes Councils pages, and paid BrandVoice spots. If you want to submit article to Forbes, you need to know which door fits your goal. Contributor pieces are different from staff-reported features. Paid placements like Forbes Councils and BrandVoice are different again.
What each path looks like
Staff reporters produce news-driven stories and investigations. Contributors publish opinion and expertise under the Contributor label. Forbes Councils provide paid, invitation-only pages for executives. BrandVoice is a native advertising product. If you plan to submit article to Forbes as a contributor, expect label and vetting; if you aim for staff coverage, bring a newsworthy hook. For tips on becoming a contributor, see How to Become a Forbes Contributor in 2025.
Step 1 — Build verifiable credibility
Editors won’t publish a claim without evidence. If you want to submit article to Forbes, start with a public, verifiable profile: LinkedIn with endorsements, conference talks, bylines at reputable outlets, institutional pages or published research. A one-sentence title like "CEO" needs links that confirm it.
Practical checklist to prove credibility:
Why this is non-negotiable
After scrutiny in prior years, Forbes tightened contributor vetting. If you attempt to submit article to Forbes without visible evidence of expertise or with hidden promotional intent, an editor will often decline immediately. For broader pitching advice that applies across outlets, consider this guide: How To Pitch To The Press: The 8 No-Fail Strategies.
Step 2 — Choose the right vertical and person
Forbes has many verticals (Leadership, Finance, Technology, Small Business). If you plan to submit article to Forbes, match your idea to the vertical’s tone, format, and audience. Spend time reading that vertical and identify recurring formats and common story lengths.
When possible, find a named editor—addressing a real person increases the chance your pitch will be read. If you can’t find a name, use the contributor contact for that section, but expect slower processing.
Step 3 — Craft a concise, editor-friendly pitch
Editors receive mountains of email. The better the pitch, the higher the chance your idea gets considered. If you want to submit article to Forbes, keep your pitch short, specific, and verifiable. Many successful pitches follow this structure:
Subject lines should be crisp: "Survey of 2,000 SMBs shows hiring priorities shifted—pitch for Forbes Small Business." That tells the editor the hook and the vertical right away.
If your brand needs discreet help building verifiable credibility before pitching—for example, assembling a portfolio of bylines, preparing press-ready bios, or cleaning up damaging online content—consider a tailored consult. Social Success Hub offers professional, confidential support to prepare executives for high-visibility outreach. Learn more on our contact page.
How to show uniqueness in the pitch
Editors want what readers can’t find elsewhere. If you plan to submit article to Forbes, highlight exclusive data, a unique sample, or an offered interview. If you ran a survey or have original research, include a few headline numbers in the pitch and offer raw data for verification.
Quick example: a compact pitch that works
Here’s a short pitch format you can adapt if you plan to submit article to Forbes:
Subject: New survey of 2,000 SMBs finds hiring priorities shifted—possible Forbes Small Business piece
Hi [Editor Name],
One-sentence hook: Our survey of 2,000 small business owners shows three hiring priorities—flexible schedules, skills-based pay, and remote onboarding—have overtaken salary as top hiring considerations since 2021.
Angle/headline: I’d like to write a 900–1,200 word Forbes Small Business article titled "What Small Businesses Want Now: The New Hiring Priorities Worth Paying Attention To." The piece would include two charts and three short owner profiles.
Why me: I’m the founder of a recruiting firm that runs quarterly hiring surveys; previous bylines include [publication]. Full methodology and data are here. I can share anonymized raw data and offer a one-week embargo.
Contact: happy to supply charts, owner interviews, and raw data. Thanks for considering.
Understanding the contributor label and editorial oversight
Contributor content is clearly labeled and often receives lighter editorial oversight than staff reporting. That doesn’t mean low quality—the standards are still real—but it does change expectations. If you plan to submit article to Forbes as a contributor, prepare for credentials checks, conflict-of-interest queries, and verification of claims.
What to disclose and why
Transparency prevents rejection. If you have a commercial interest, disclose it in the pitch. If you plan to mention clients, get permissions. Hiding promotional intent is the fastest way to be declined or redirected to paid channels.
Paid routes: Forbes Councils and BrandVoice
Paid options exist if editorial placement isn’t essential. Forbes Councils is an invite-only, paid community that provides Forbes-branded pages for members to publish thought leadership. BrandVoice is a paid native-ad program for company content. If your aim is brand visibility rather than editorial acclaim, these are legitimate options—just know they are marked and are marketing channels, not editorial endorsements.
When to pitch staff writers instead
If you want press coverage, reporter-written features, or interviews, target staff writers. They respond to news hooks: new funding, surprising research, exclusive data, timely leadership changes. If your story is newsy, offer an exclusive to one reporter and provide verifiable documents and spokespeople.
Common reasons pitches fail (and how to avoid them)
Here are recurring reasons editors decline pitches—and actions to prevent each outcome:
How to prepare a draft for contributor submission
If you plan to submit article to Forbes as a contributor, prepare a clean, tight draft. Use a clear lede, cite sources, avoid self-promotion, and keep the suggested headline and 1–2 sentence summary ready. Match the typical length the vertical prefers and format your piece for easy scanning with short paragraphs.
Editorial tips for a pitch-ready draft
Write in an authoritative but conversational voice. Lead with the most interesting fact. Use one idea per paragraph. End with a short, actionable reflection. Editors favour pieces that need minimal rewriting.
What’s the single best thing I can do before I submit article to Forbes?
Build and display verifiable credibility: secure bylines on reputable outlets, update LinkedIn and speaker pages, and assemble direct links to research or raw data so editors can confirm your expertise quickly.
Sample full-length contributor piece structure
When you plan to submit article to Forbes, writing a polished draft helps. Use this common structure:
Realistic timelines and follow-up etiquette
Don’t expect instant replies. Editors often triage pitches for days or weeks. A single polite follow-up after one to two weeks is acceptable. If you offered an embargo or exclusivity, make that clear up front. Repeated pings will not help and can hurt future chances.
What to do if you’re declined
A "no" is often about timing not quality. If the editor declines, politely ask for feedback or whether they’d consider a different angle in the future. Move the piece to a different vertical or another reputable outlet if necessary. Use any feedback you get to improve your next pitch.
When paid placement is the better choice
If your goal is pure visibility, BrandVoice or Forbes Councils might be the right channel. They offer branded placement and can be effective if you know you’re buying reach—not editorial endorsement. Confirm terms and placement details before committing.
Ethical clarity and journalist thinking
Think like a journalist when you plan to submit article to Forbes. Provide sources, answer tough follow-up questions in advance, and be ready to produce supporting documentation. If an editor or reporter were to call you, what would they ask? Anticipate and provide those answers in your pitch. For a concise how-to on writing for Forbes, this short guide is useful: How to Write for Forbes in 2025.
Examples of strong contributor angles
Not every good Forbes piece needs original data. A candid executive essay about a costly failure with measurable lessons can resonate. A case study showing measurable impact from a novel strategy—with numbers and timelines—can also win. The thread running through strong angles is clarity and specificity.
Avoiding stylistic mistakes
Don’t use long promotional paragraphs or vague buzzwords. Use active verbs, concrete examples, and short sentences. Forbes readers expect authority and clarity, not marketing copy. Use headlines and subheads to make your piece scannable and compelling.
Practical pitch template library
Below are three short templates you can adapt when you plan to submit article to Forbes:
1) Data-driven pitch
Subject: New survey shows X trend—pitch for Forbes [Vertical]
Hook: Our survey of [n] shows [one-sentence headline finding].
Why it matters: Brief note on reader impact. Why this belongs in Forbes [vertical].
Why me: Links to methodology and prior bylines.
2) Case study pitch
Subject: Case study—how [company] cut churn by X%—possible Forbes piece
Hook: We reduced churn by X% using [novel approach].
Details: Offer numbers, timelines, and interviews.
3) Reporter outreach (for news hooks)
Subject: Exclusive: [Company] just announced [news—funding, study, acquisition]
Hook: This directly affects [readers/topic]. Offer an exclusive and spokespeople.
Measuring success beyond a byline
A byline is great, but think about the outcome you want. If you plan to submit article to Forbes, define success metrics: leads, profile mentions, quote pickups, or SEO value. Use tracking links, clear CTAs in bios, and follow-up PR outreach once the piece runs.
Preparing to submit article to Forbes often requires cleaning up online profiles, consolidating bylines, and making sure disclosures are visible. If you need tailored support to present a professional, verifiable profile before outreach, Social Success Hub helps reputable clients prepare. Their discreet approach to reputation and PR can be the difference between a declined pitch and a published one. A simple visual cue such as the Social Success Hub logo can help communicate professional credibility. See their verification services for more detail: verification services.
Checklist before you hit send
Final pre-send checklist if you plan to submit article to Forbes:
Scaling your outreach
Don’t blast every inbox. Prioritize three to five likely editors. Customize each pitch. If you’re repeatedly declined, refine your evidence and angle. As you build bylines elsewhere, your chances of successfully submit article to Forbes improve. We also offer broader services that support outreach planning under our services.
Long game: building a relationship with the publication
Relationships matter. Engage constructively: share thoughtful comments, offer useful data, or connect an editor with a credible source. Be helpful, not intrusive. Over time, consistent useful interactions make editorial invitations more likely.
Final practical example: a revision-ready contributor draft
Below is a short contributor-style draft ready for submission. Use it as a template to shape your own piece before you submit article to Forbes.
Lede: After surveying 2,000 small businesses, we found three post-pandemic hiring priorities have displaced salary as the main recruitment lever.
Context: Small firms now prioritize flexibility, skills-based pay, and remote onboarding because the talent market favors adaptability.
Evidence: Our quarterly survey shows X% of firms rank flexible schedules highest; Y% prefer skills-based pay.
Takeaway: Employers should rework job descriptions, interview processes, and compensation models to reflect these priorities.
Conclusion: Leaders who adapt to these new preferences will win the competition for talent.
Tactical follow-up sample
If you don’t hear back, send a single polite follow-up after 7–14 days. Restate the one-sentence hook and remind the editor of any embargo or exclusive you offered.
Parting realities: be patient and prepared
Getting published on Forbes is attainable but rarely instant. Whether you aim to submit article to Forbes as a contributor, be quoted by reporters, or explore paid placement, the same fundamentals apply: clarity, verifiable expertise, and a unique angle. Apply those consistently and you turn a hopeful pitch into a publishable piece.
Ready to prepare your profile and pitch? If you want discreet, outcome-focused help to prepare dossiers, polish bios, or clean up reputation issues before outreach, reach out for a tailored consultation.
Get help preparing to pitch Forbes
Ready to prepare your profile and pitch? Contact Social Success Hub for discreet, outcome-focused help to prepare dossiers, polish bios, or clean up online reputation before your Forbes outreach.
Clear, honest, and well-structured outreach wins. When you plan to submit article to Forbes, be prepared, be specific, and be patient.
Can I submit guest posts directly to Forbes?
You can submit article to Forbes via the Contributor Network or pitch staff writers, but there’s no single open guest-post form. Contributor spots often require vetting and verification; staff coverage needs a newsworthy hook. Paid options like Forbes Councils and BrandVoice are alternative, marked pathways.
How do I increase my chances when I submit article to Forbes?
Increase your odds by building verifiable credentials, targeting the right vertical and editor, offering unique data or exclusivity, writing a concise pitch, and being transparent about commercial ties. Prepare a polished draft and provide links to past bylines or methodology.
Should I consider Forbes Councils or BrandVoice instead of pitching?
If your priority is branded visibility rather than editorial recognition, Forbes Councils or BrandVoice can be effective. They are paid and marked as sponsored content, so consider them as marketing channels. If you want editorial credibility, prioritize contributor or reporter-led placements.
Yes — Forbes does accept guest-style contributions through several channels; the right path depends on credibility, the uniqueness of your idea, and transparency. Good luck, and may your next pitch land with a friendly editor who needs exactly what you offer!
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