Firstlinks focusses on content with enduring quality to assist investors to understand investment products, construct portfolios and allocate to assets. We prefer articles on long-term themes which will stand the test of time through investment cycles, written for a predominantly Australian audience.
Firstlinks does not report breaking news, executive appointments or short-term macro forecasts which are often little more than noise and guesswork. We are not short-term stock pickers, other than in the context of illustrating particular portfolio ideas, and we do not republish media releases.
Education not promotion
We want fresh ideas, quality journalism, well-researched opinions and accurate arguments. You are welcome to comment on existing articles or contribute an original piece. You should be an expert in your subject as we do not accept submissions from students or people promoting their own blog or services.
Contributions should not be written in highly technical language. Articles must be predominantly educational and not promoting or advertising a specific product. However, they may take a view on a type of structure, security or product which may have specific or general application, and examples are acceptable if we do not consider the context overly promotional.
Articles must be original content not widely published previously. We accept the content may already have appeared on the author’s own website and distributed to their own clients, but not in other commercial newsletters.
We are not trying to dumb down our content to the lowest common denominator, but articles must be interesting, relevant and understandable for readers who are not market professionals but are engaged in managing their investments.
What are our requirements?
Articles should be around 1,000 words, with a maximum of about 1,250. Longer pieces will be considered where the type of article demands it. Please write in Microsoft Word, without columns or complex formatting. Contributors should avoid footnotes, little-known acronyms, financial jargon, academic references or articles which are similar to other pieces already published on our website. Generally, contributions should target an Australian reader and be accurate for Australian law and regulations. Download our Style Guide here.
Contributors may hold securities or investments that they mention in their articles, but this should be acknowledged at the end of the article.
Firstlinks does not necessarily endorse or agree with the opinions or recommendations that we publish. The writer and their organisation will be listed on every article.
Articles may be edited for length and style.
Contributors warrant that their work is original, other than any acknowledgements in the text, and it does not defame anyone or breach copyright. Please see our Community Rules Policy on acceptable standards to avoid offensive or inappropriate material.
How do we thank you?
Firstlinks is a community of investors sharing ideas, and we offer an outlet for experienced writers to air their opinions. We do not pay for contributions. To encourage a wide readership and to ensure our independence, we do not charge readers a subscription fee nor collect product-related fees.
In addition to having their opinion reach a wide audience of engaged readers, we describe each author at the end of the article and provide a link to a business website.
Copyright remains with the author but Firstlinks and Morningstar have an unlimited right to republish, including selling the content. Any author who does not agree with this should not provide an article. To a limited extent but not systematically, articles may be reproduced elsewhere but Firstlinks must be attributed with first publication with the author and their company identified.
No personal financial advice
Articles may contain general financial product information, but Firstlinks is not authorised to provide personal financial advice. Firstlinks accepts no liability for any actions taken by contributors or readers as a result of material published on our web site or contained in the related newsletter. Readers should be aware that investments mentioned in any articles may not be suitable for them and may be subject to a variety of market risks. Firstlinks does not know the personal circumstances of its readers.
Firstlinks is not attempting to influence the sale or purchase of any securities, and all readers should obtain personal independent financial advice.