Tips for attracting high impact content

Dr Paul Taylor shares his advice on how to attract high quality submissions

All journals strive to improve the quality of the papers they publish. But how can this be achieved? We spoke to Dr Paul Taylor, Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Systematic Paleontology, about his advice for attracting high impact content.


Journals need to find positive ways to attract high quality submissions. A journal with a high profile and an academic reputation to match will normally attract submissions from the authors of outstanding papers. Here’s how to achieve that…

Reputation is everything

The reputation of a journal depends on several factors that will vary in their relative importance from one field to another.

  • Maintain high editorial standards. All authors want their papers to be handled quickly, with thoroughness, expertise and empathy. Processing submissions promptly helps to reduce delays.
  • Rely on the experts. Use appropriate peer reviewers who are acknowledged experts in their field, and  maintain an editorial board of internationally respected scholars.
  • Be kind to your authors. Journals often receive submissions which are out of scope, or simply inappropriate. Handle rejection carefully, so that your authors do not feel discouraged from submitting again in future.

Be mindful of metrics

Impact Factor and other research metrics are a major concern in the world of publishing.

  • Impact Factor can be a major factor for authors who are considering where to submit their article. Publication in journals with high Impact Factors is sometimes critical to their career progression. Therefore, it goes without saying that achieving a high Impact Factor can be important when looking to attract high quality content.
  • That said, focusing on solely on Impact Factor can be misleading. Many important papers are not cited within the two-year Impact Factor window. So, ensure you use a range of metrics to measure journal success.

The power of media

Social media is a powerful weapon for editors wanting to increase the visibility of their journal.

  • Build up a following on Twitter or Facebook by making attention-grabbing announcements of newly published papers, journal developments and initiatives.
  • Draw in your audience with catchy headlines and attractive illustrations.
  • Work with the media to draw attention to new articles. For maximum impact and exposure, liaise between the journal’s publisher, the author’s institute, and (if applicable) the journal’s owning society.

Make yourself visible

Networking is essential when it comes to raising the profile of a journal.

  • Attend conferences related to your field. Use these events to publicize your journal, meet potential authors and reviewers, and build your own reputation as an editor and researcher in the discipline.
  • Build a social media presence for your journal, and yourself. Connect with other Editors all over the world and grow your community using professional social media platforms, such as LinkedIn.

For more information about developing high impact content, don’t miss our introduction to research impact.

June 7, 2018

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