Submitting quotes on Featured is a great way to build credibility and get published. But the quality of your response matters. To help you stand out, we’ve compiled the 10 most common issues we see—and how to avoid them.

Follow these best practices to improve your chances of getting featured in top-tier publications.

Don’t include greetings, sign-offs, or contact info in your answer. Your response should be just the quote—nothing more.

Best practice: Featured automatically includes your name, title, company, and LinkedIn profile. No need for intros or closings.

Avoid using headers, titles, or bullet points in your quote unless the query explicitly asks for it. These can make your answer feel AI-generated.

Best practice: Stick to a clear, conversational response written in full sentences.

Don’t add commentary, instructions, or personal notes. Quotes should be ready to drop into an article.

Avoid:

Best practice: Let your response stand on its own—our attribution handles the rest.

If you’re submitting for a client or colleague, you must create a profile in their name. Submitting under your name can cause misattribution.

Best practice: Create an accurate expert profile for anyone you represent—no need to mention you're submitting on their behalf.

Avoid using placeholders like “Company A” or “Person XYZ.” These undermine credibility.

Best practice: Use real, specific details that reflect your personal experience.

Publishing unverifiable stats or claims without context can weaken your quote.

Best practice: Add clarity and be specific when sharing examples.

Avoid turning your response into a pitch. Quotes that feel like ads are less likely to be selected.

Best practice: Focus on insights. Your attribution already includes your company name. Only mention your business if it's essential to your point.

Generic insights don’t stand out. Publishers prefer specific, actionable, personal responses.

Best practice: Share lessons learned, bold takes, or real examples. Go beyond the surface.

If your quote doesn’t align with your credentials or LinkedIn profile, it may be flagged as unreliable.

Best practice: Stick to topics where your expertise is clear and verifiable. Update your profile regularly to reflect evolving experience.

Phrases like “in today’s digital age” or “moreover, this” can signal AI-generated content and harm credibility.

Best practice: Keep your tone human. Use tools like Grammarly for cleanup—but make sure the substance is your own.

High-quality responses reflect real insights. If your quote helps the reader learn something new or offers a memorable perspective, you’re doing it right.