Own Your Expertise Online
We publish You Said It stories, similar to OpEds, submitted by readers and partner organizations to amplify nationally relevant, evergreen stories that inspire action through compelling visuals and strong storytelling. Submissions should take a “social-first” approach, prioritizing high-impact photos and videos, concise, compelling copy, and collaborators who will share and amplify. Submissions will also be adapted as articles online in Better Magazine.
Engage Our Audience and Earn $1000
An excellent “You Said It” can earn a nonprofit that you champion a $1,000 donation from the Make It Better Foundation and eligibility for a Gala Media Partnership for greater engagement with our audience too.
Expert Tips for Strong Submissions
In order to be eligible for publication, a “You Said It” submission should follow these guidelines:
- Suggested headline (should be journalistic, compelling, nationally relevant)
- 3-6 short paragraphs (max 300-350 words / 2,200 characters)
- Lead with a human story, vivid detail, or compelling stat that will stop readers mid-scroll. Show your
- mission through people, outcomes, or pressing issues — not an organizational “about us” explainer.
- Keep your story evergreen and nationally relevant — it should matter to readers everywhere, not just in your city or this moment.
- Use a third-person, journalistic voice. Language should be clear and compelling, not promotional. Avoid ad-style calls to action like “join us today” — your story should inspire readers to want to act and support your organization without a direct sales pitch.
- Support your points with at least 5 trusted sources and data (universities, nonprofits, government or scientific data, neutral, trusted media, quotes by thought leaders).
- Must be original and exclusive: Ensure your submission is unique and hasn’t been published elsewhere (e.g., no press releases).
- Concise call to action for social media post; additional “how to help” section to be included on better.net (see below)
Visuals
Photo Guidelines
- Submit at least 10 photos.
- Dimensions: At least 2000 px on the longest side and no more than 4MB
- Orientation: Provide both horizontal and vertical options when possible
- Editing: No heavy filters; avoid cropping too tightly
- File Naming: Use clear, descriptive filenames (event_subject_location_date)
- Credits: Include photographer credit with each image
- Avoid too many “I was there” shots of people simply looking at the camera. People in action images will be more of interest to the viewer.
- If you’re submitting video content, you must also include at least one landscape photo and one portrait photo for social and website featured images.
- Clearly identify each photo in the file name and include captions and photo credits for all photos. In Photoshop, this can be found under File – Get Info.
- Make sure you have rights/permissions for all visuals to be used on better.net and MIBF social channels.
Video Guidelines
- Resolution: Minimum 1080p (1920×1080), preferred 4K (3840×2160)
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9 landscape; 9:16 vertical for Shorts/Reels/Stories
- Video should be submitted in 1080p or 4K, 30 fps for standard content (60 fps preferred for action or movement-heavy footage)
- Format: MP4
- Include at least one landscape photo and one portrait photo for social and website featured images.
Also Include With Your Submission
- Author name
- Author bio (2–3 sentences)
- Author headshot (jpegs at least 2000 pixels wide and no more than 4MB each).
- Full links to at least 5 sources for embedding in the article on better.net + social tags for sources on social platforms.
- How to Help copy for box on better.net — Paragraph succinctly summarizing your organization’s mission + ways readers can engage with and support your organization and further your mission — e.g., donate, volunteer, learn more). Include links for all.
NOTE: The author bio and “How to Help” box will be published on Better.net and do not count toward the 2,200-character caption limit.
Cross-Platform Use
- We may adapt your submission across a variety of channels, so please include handles for your organization and sources for:
- Threads
- X
- Bluesky
- YouTube
After Publication
- Share on your own channels and tag MIBF handles for collaboration.
- Add the article to your link in bio, and reshare across platforms.
- Accept collaboration requests and amplify when tagged.
Send Us Your Submission
If you would like to submit a “You Said It” article for consideration please fill out this form. We ask that you support your message and statements with links and data from trusted resources like universities, nonprofits, government, and other media. We also request that you ask these organizations to support and share your submission.
