A short guide to what we look for and how to give yourself the best shot at a commission. Worth two minutes before you pitch.
What we’re building
Dragon sites are built to compete with the big names on quality, not to churn cheap content. We commission real journalists with real knowledge, and we put their name on the work. The bar is high, and a strong pitch from the right person gets noticed fast.
What gets you commissioned
Real expertise, shown not claimed. The byline carries weight on our sites, so we look for first-hand knowledge: a beat you’ve covered, a club you’ve worked inside, a subject you genuinely know. Tell us what you’ve actually done.
A specific angle, not a topic. “I’d cover transfers” tells us nothing. “The over-21 drop-out rate after academies, with the data behind it” is a commission. Bring the idea, not just the area.
Evidence. Samples, portfolio links, the outlets you’ve written for. We read these. A profile with real published work behind it beats a paragraph of enthusiasm every time.
Sourcing. Every claim has to be traceable. We don’t run anything we can’t stand behind, so show that you check before you write.
A human voice. Write like a sharp person who knows their stuff, not like a press release or an AI. Personality and precision both count.
House style, the hard rules
These are non-negotiable, and we run an automated check on copy as it comes in:
- No em dashes. Use commas, colons or full stops.
- Plain, direct language. No puff, no filler.
- No AI tells (the over-used vocabulary, the “it’s not X, it’s Y” constructions). Write it yourself.
- Source your claims.
How commissioning works
Briefs go up as the sites need content. When one fits you, register interest with a real pitch: the specific idea, the angle, and why you’re the person for it. A note that just says “interested” tends to get passed over.
We commission per brief, at a per-piece or per-day rate, on 30-day terms. On top of the fee there are bonuses: clicks through your own tracked share link, reader dwell time, and a monthly editor’s pick. A piece commissioned at one rate can earn a good deal more if it lands.
Five things that improve your chances
- Complete your profile. Bio, the publications you’ve written for, portfolio links and a headshot. It’s the first thing we look at.
- Pitch specifics. One sharp, well-argued idea beats a list of vague ones.
- Add samples. Let the work speak.
- Pick briefs that match your real strengths, not everything that’s open.
- Keep your profile current. When the next round opens, the ready-to-go people get approached first.
On timing
We commission in phases as sites launch. Not being picked in one round is not a no. New sites and new briefs come online regularly, and the people who keep a sharp profile and pitch well are the ones we come back to.