Write for Our Blog

You’ve no doubt read one or more of our SDI, TDI, ERDI or PFI blog articles. Most of these are not written by those of us at Headquarters. They are, in fact, written by people just like you. If you would like the recognition that comes with being one of our regular contributors, you should consider joining us.

Below is a step-by-step process you can follow if you would like to contribute and write for our One Dive Family.

Why Contribute? What’s in It for You?

1. Industry Recognition
Publishing your insights, stories, or media gives you visibility among thousands of divers and professionals. Do it consistently, and your name becomes one that “everybody knows.” It’s a powerful way to build your reputation within the global dive community.

2. Career Credibility
Published work strengthens your professional resume—whether you’re aiming to write for other outlets or applying for new positions. When decision-makers see your name and work out there, it gives you a competitive edge.

3. Ongoing Exposure
Every contributor gets a permanent author page featuring their bio, articles, social links, and personal website. This kind of online presence is equivalent to hundreds of dollars in digital advertising—and it’s yours for free.

4. Pure Enjoyment
Many contributors simply love sharing their passion. Writing about what excites you can be deeply rewarding, especially when it reaches and inspires a wide audience.

Editorial, not Advertorial

Advertorial content has its place, but we are interested in publishing editorial content for our blogs. Your article must steer clear of salesy tone and must provide value to our readers in an unbiased manner.

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Getting Started: Choose the Right Topic

Ready to become an International Training contributor? Great—your first step is picking a strong topic. This is where many aspiring writers get stuck, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, the right topic often makes the writing process much easier and more enjoyable.

1. Start with Your Agency
International Training has distinct blogs for SDI, TDI, and ERDI. Choose the one that aligns with your expertise. If you specialize in recreational diving, SDI is a natural fit. If you’re a technical diver or public safety professional, TDI or ERDI might be more appropriate.

Don’t overlook sport diving—our most popular and underserved content area. Topics like “Five Ways to Save on Your Next Dive Vacation” often draw far more readers than highly technical pieces.

2. Find Inspiration
Browse the SDI, TDI, or ERDI blogs to see what’s already been published. Look for gaps or underrepresented topics that match your experience. The best articles come from subjects you know and care about—whether it’s underwater photography, gear maintenance, or diver safety.

Just be mindful when tackling controversial opinions. Articles should inform and engage, not provoke without purpose.

3. Use Proven Formats
Struggling to find an angle? Try these reliable structures:

List-based articles:

• Five Things to See on Your Next Dive Trip
• The Ten Best Dive Sites in [Your Region]

Benefit-based articles:

• How to Master Buoyancy Without the Struggle
• Six Ways to Save Money While Gearing Up for Your Next Dive

These formats are reader-friendly, shareable, and easy to write—especially for beginners.

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What Makes a Strong Article?

A well-crafted article should include:

1. Compelling Headline
Start strong. A great headline not only draws in readers—it also helps sell your article idea. Make it attention-grabbing and relevant.

2. Introductory Paragraph
Use the opening paragraph of your article. If written well, it will instantly convey the value of your piece and showcase your writing style.

3. Article Outline
Start with a brief breakdown of the main points or structure of your article. This shows you’ve thought through the piece and helps the envision the final product. Then expand on the outline and develop sentences into paragraphs that support the main points.

Improving readability is surprisingly easy. Steps include:

• Use shorter sentences: Break up run-on sentences into two or more smaller ones.
• Use shorter words: The more words you use that have three or more syllables, the higher your grade-reading score will be.
• Avoid passive voice: This is a longer topic than we can address here. Fortunately, you can learn how to do this simply by Googling Avoiding Passive Voice.

4. Estimated Word Count
Most blog posts fall between 800 and 1,500 words, with a maximum around 2,000.

5. Supporting Images
Include relevant photos, diagrams, or illustrations whenever possible. Articles with visuals are more appealing and more likely to be accepted.

6. Timeline for Delivery
Be realistic about when you can submit the finished article. Everyone appreciates timely content, so commit to a delivery date you can meet.

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What Happens After You Submit Your Article

Once you send your article through our website or to marketing@tdisdi.com, it goes through a clear editorial process at Headquarters. Here’s what you can expect:

What We Do at HQ
1. Standards Check
We review your article to ensure it aligns with our training standards and accepted diving practices. Consistency and accuracy are key—we won’t publish content that contradicts our core principles.

2. Readability Review
We aim for clarity and accessibility. SDI articles should read at around an 8th-grade level; TDI and ERDI at no more than 9th grade. A slightly higher level is fine if the content remains engaging and easy to follow.

3. Light Editing (If Needed)
Minor spelling, grammar, or formatting issues? We’ll fix them. For more substantial edits, we’ll either:

• Return your article with suggested revisions, or
• Edit it ourselves and send it back for your approval.

We’ll never make major changes without your consent.

4. Publication and Promotion
Once approved, your article will be published on the appropriate SDI, TDI, or ERDI blog—and shared across our social media platforms to reach a global audience.

Publish: As a final step, we will post your article to the SDI, TDI or ERDI blog and promote it on social media.

What You Can Do

Watch for It
We’ll notify you when your article is scheduled to go live. Keep an eye out for it on our social media channels.

Help Us Share It
When your article appears, share it! A quick repost on your own networks helps grow your reach, boosts readership, and supports the entire dive community.