Let the Community Speak: How to Run Opinion and Guest Columns on Substack

Give your local news site a voice—and many more! Learn how to publish opinion pieces and collaborative columns that engage your community on Substack.

Let the Community Speak: How to Run Local Opinion & Guest Columns

Hey, Reginaldo Osnildo here again!You already know that local journalism is about serving your community. But here’s something just as important:

Letting your community speak.

One of the most powerful (and surprisingly underused) tools on Substack is the opinion column—especially when it’s collaborative.

Whether you’re sharing your perspective or opening the floor to your readers, opinion pieces can:

• Spark important local conversations
• Highlight underrepresented voices
• Increase reader engagement
• Build credibility and trust

Let me show you how to build this kind of content into your newsletter—without the drama but with all the dialogue.

1. Why Publish Opinions in the First Place?

Local news often focuses on what happened, but readers also want to understand:

• Why it matters
• What it means
• How

others in the community feel

Opinion content helps:

• Break down complex issues
• Encourage dialogue
• Give readers a place to reflect—and react

Plus, opinion pieces generate more shares and replies than straight news. People love to talk about what they agree (or disagree) with.

2. Your Own Opinion Columns: Keep It Smart, Not Shouty

If you’re writing your own opinion pieces, here’s how to keep it impactful:

• Lead with clarity

: State your position upfront

• Back it up

: Use data, interviews, or personal experience

• Stay respectful

: Critique policies or actions, not individuals

• Invite feedback

: End with “What do you think?” or “Reply and let me know”

Even if readers don’t agree, they’ll respect a well-reasoned, thoughtful voice.

3. Create a Regular Opinion Series

Consistency builds trust. Try launching a branded series like:

• “My Take”

– Your regular perspective on local issues

• “Voices from [City Name]”

– Community-submitted opinions

• “In Conversation”

– Alternating viewpoints on the same topic

• “This I Believe”

– Personal essays about local identity or values

Give it a name, a format, and a schedule—and it becomes a trusted part of your newsletter lineup.

4. Invite Guest Writers from the Community

This is where the magic happens.

Your readers have a lot to say. Open the floor to:

• Teachers
• Small business owners
• Local artists
• Students
• Faith leaders
• Retirees
• Activists
• Parents

All you need to do is:

• Put out a call for submissions
• Provide clear guidelines
• Offer light editing and support
• Publish with credit and links (when appropriate)

It’s collaborative journalism at its best.

5. Submission Guidelines: Keep It Simple and Clear

To make your life easier, give contributors a simple format:

Example Guidelines:

• Max 600–800 words
• Local relevance required
• No hate speech or personal attacks
• Include a short bio (name, role, connection to the topic)
• Attach a photo (optional)

You can collect submissions via email or a Google Form.Always thank contributors—and offer to link back to their business, project, or social profile if relevant.

6. Moderate, Don’t Censor

You’re not a social media platform—but you do need to set the tone.

That means:

• Publishing a range of perspectives
• Fact-checking any serious claims
• Avoiding content that spreads misinformation or incites division
• Providing space for respectful disagreement

As the editor, you set the guardrails—but not the opinions themselves.

7. Include Reader Reactions and Follow-Ups

Don’t just post and move on. Use each opinion column as a conversation starter.

Here’s how:

• Invite replies and publish the best responses in a follow-up
• Create polls or surveys based on the topic
• Feature a “letter to the editor” section in your newsletter
• Use social media to expand the debate

Engagement boosts loyalty—and turns readers into collaborators.

8. Repurpose Guest Columns as Evergreen Content

Well-written opinion pieces often have a long shelf life.

Make the most of them by:

• Creating a dedicated “Voices” section on your Substack
• Linking older opinion posts in your newsletters
• Quoting excerpts in roundups or retrospectives
• Turning a popular post into a video or audio read

Great content deserves a second (and third) life.

9. Celebrate Diverse Opinions, But Stay Anchored in Facts

Healthy dialogue requires trust. And that means being clear that:

• Facts matter
• Opinions are opinions
• Your newsletter is a space for civility, not chaos

You can—and should—host tough conversations, but your editorial role is to facilitate, not fan flames.

10. Recognize Contributors Publicly

Give credit where it’s due!Each guest contributor should:

• Get a clear byline
• Be introduced at the start of the article
• Receive thanks and recognition in your post or footer
• (Optional) Receive a small gift or thank-you message

People who feel seen will come back—and they’ll bring others with them.

Want the Full Strategy for Building a Collaborative News Platform?

Everything we just covered is part of a bigger system I lay out in my complete e-book:

👉 Local Journalism on Substack: How to Create a Low-Cost, Monetizable News Site and Newsletter Network

Inside, you’ll find:

• Templates for opinion and guest columns
• Submission guidelines you can copy and paste
• Strategies to manage contributors
• Tools to grow and engage your audience
• A full 30-day action plan for your local Substack newsroom

You don’t have to report alone.Let your community speak—and build something truly local, together.