Nothing to Do

See, Share, Do — Together, We Make Local Fun

Submission Guidelines

Thank you for your interest in writing for Nothing to Do Today! We’re excited to hear from locals who are passionate about sharing their unique perspectives on life in Hickory and surrounding areas. Whether you’re a one-time contributor or interested in writing multiple articles, we’d love to feature your voice.

Who We’re Looking For:

We want to showcase a variety of perspectives from our community! We’re particularly interested in hearing from:

  • Seniors who can share what resources are available to them and how they’ve developed their own community
  • Food enthusiasts with unique dining preferences/restrictions (vegan? allergies? kosher?)
  • Teenagers with fresh takes on the latest trends
  • Single parents balancing life in Hickory
  • Business owners, artists, and locals with specialized interests
  • Anyone with a unique perspective on living, working, and playing in the area

Article Requirements:

  • Word Count: 300 to 1,000 words
  • Payment: $0.05 per word, up to a maximum of 1,000 words
  • Topics: We’re interested in topics that highlight what it’s like to live, work, and explore in Hickory. Here are some suggestions:
    • Best local places for unique dining experiences
    • Little-known gems and outdoor spots around town
    • Tips and insights for new residents or families
    • Local events, festivals, or seasonal guides
    • Any niche perspective related to life in Catawba/Caldwell/Burke counties

Photo Guidelines for Guest Post Submissions

To bring your article to life, we encourage guest post contributors to submit relevant photos! Whether it’s a snapshot of your favorite local hangout, a dish at a restaurant, or an outdoor view of a recommended spot, photos help readers connect with your story. Adding photos isn’t mandatory, but they’re a great way to enrich your article and make it even more engaging for readers!

Photo Requirements:

  • Quantity: 1–3 quality photos that relate to the content of your post.
  • Quality: Please send clear, high-resolution images.
  • Permissions: Only submit photos you own or have permission to use.
  • Captions: Include short captions that describe the photos (e.g., “Sunset at Glenn Hilton Park” or “The signature burger at Local Spot Cafe”).
  • Payment: $5 per photo for quality, well-composed photos that are integral to the post (e.g., unique local spots or experiences).

How to Submit: Attach your photos to the same email as your article or provide a link to a shared folder (e.g., Google Drive) along with your submission.

Submission Process:

  1. Pitch Your Idea: Send us a brief pitch outlining your article idea. We’ll review it and let you know if it’s a good fit.
  2. Write & Submit: Once approved, write your article following our guidelines. Submit it as a Word document or Google Doc link.
  3. Review Process: Our editorial team will review your article for clarity, accuracy, and relevance. You may be asked to make minor revisions.
  4. Payment: Once approved, we’ll process payment within two weeks.

Formatting Guidelines:

  • Use a clear, conversational tone.
  • Keep paragraphs short and concise.
  • Include local keywords and places (e.g., Hickory restaurants, best parks in the Foothills) – we focus on Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba counties (but occasional posts slightly outside of our range may be accepted as well).
  • Avoid overly promotional content – though you are welcome to include links to your business either in the article, or in a short bio accompanying the article.

Other Important Information:

  • Original Content Only: We accept only original content that has not been published elsewhere.
  • No AI: While AI (Artificial Intelligence) can be a great tool to help you outline your article, please avoid using AI to create the bulk of your content.
  • Rights: By submitting, you agree to give Nothing to Do Today exclusive rights to publish your article.
  • Edits: Our editors may make final revisions to fit our editorial standards.

Be Featured in Our “Living Local” Spotlight!

Want to share your unique perspective on life here but don’t have time to write a full article? Our Living Local spotlight is for you! Just answer a few fun questions, and e-mail us your photo, and we’ll feature your responses on Nothing to Do Today—along with a shoutout to you! Please note – this opportunity is unpaid, but we will share links to your business as long as you include them in your submission.

Here are our 5 questions for you:

  1. What brought you to the Hickory area?
  2. What do you love most about living here?
  3. What’s one hidden gem or local spot everyone should know about?
  4. Where’s your favorite place to eat, and what do you usually order?
  5. What’s a piece of advice you’d give to newcomers to the area?

Ready to Get Started?

We’d love to hear from you! Send your pitch to [email protected] with the subject line “Guest Post Submission.” If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.