Writing a blog for Sherpa is one of the most effective things you can do to raise your profile on the platform, and beyond.
A well-written, timely article puts your name in front of students and parents who are actively searching for help, positions you as a subject expert and gives you a lasting boost in our search rankings.
This guide explains what makes a great Sherpa blog, how to choose the right topic, and what to do when you're ready to submit.
Blog Examples
Read Harriet’s opinion piece a recent hot topic:
The Enforced Social Media Ban for Under 16’s
Ruth also wrote a successful educational resource:
GCSE English Language Paper 1 Question 2
Ruth's blog received 497 new visitors in a single day during the exam period!
What You Get
Every article that is published earns you meaningful, multi-channel exposure, sustained visibility that keeps working for you long after publication.
On the Sherpa platform
First page placement in all relevant Sherpa search results for 5 days (or less if 4-5 new enquiries are received)
A featured profile card embedded directly within your article. Every reader sees your name, subject, and a direct link to your profile
A boost within our ranking algorithm. Every article you publish compounds your visibility over time
Across social media
Every published article is shared across Sherpa's social channels such as Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn which drives traffic back to your article and profile
You're encouraged to reshare the post yourself, amplifying your reach to your own network at no extra effort
On Google
Well-written, timely articles rank in Google search results (often within days of publication) putting your expertise in front of people who aren't yet on Sherpa
Sherpa already ranks top for searches like "benefits of tuition". A strong article on the right topic can do the same
That traffic links back to your Sherpa profile, generating enquiries long after the article goes live
What Makes a Great Sherpa Blog
We want articles that are genuinely useful and of interest - the kind a student or parent reads all the way through because it answers something they've been searching for. We're not looking for generic revision tips or broad subject overviews, there's plenty of that online already. However, new evidence-backed research on learning methods or specialist techniques is of great interest. The best-performing content on Sherpa consistently shares these qualities:
Data-led and specific
Articles built around statistics, facts, or structured information rank well on Google and build trust with readers. Think: "How are GCSEs actually marked?" or "Which schools get the best A-Level results?" - not vague opinion pieces that could have been written by anyone.
Timely and relevant
Topics tied to the education calendar (results day, exam season, UCAS deadlines) or to any live debates in education (such as AI in schools, SEND, phone bans, tuition fee’s) consistently attract high traffic at the right moment.
Links to external sources.
Any data or research must be backed up with a link to its source. Ensure this is a credible source of information before including it in your blog.
Written with real expertise
Your experience as a tutor is what makes Sherpa content stand out from generic articles so your article must be grounded in your subject area or tutoring experience. The best subject-specific blogs go beyond the curriculum and they explain the things students consistently get wrong, break down what examiners are really looking for, or give insider guidance that only someone with real teaching experience could provide. This is not the place for surface-level advice, it's the place to share what you genuinely know.
Articles that provide tangible advice on learning and revision techniques
If you specialise in a subject you might want to focus on an area of the syllabus that often comes up in exams.
Reactions to Wider Educational Topics in the News
For example, the enforced social media ban for the under 16's and the ban of phones in schools.
Well-structured and readable
A clear introduction, logical sections with descriptive headings, and a strong conclusion. You might want to include quotations, or reference authoritative 3rd party sources to support the points you make. Articles that are easy to navigate perform better in search and keep readers engaged longer.
A Note on AI Tools
We understand that AI can help with brainstorming or structuring ideas. However, submitted articles must be predominantly written in your own words. Generic AI-generated content rarely ranks well on Google and it doesn't reflect the expertise that makes your Sherpa profile valuable to students. AI-generated blogs will not be published via Sherpa.
Writing Guidelines
Length and structure
Ideal length is 700 - 1,300 words
Open with an introduction that hooks the reader and signals what they'll learn
Break the article into sections using descriptive headings
Close with a clear conclusion or call to action
Images and references
Do not use images owned by third parties, use royalty-free sources like Pexels.com, Pixabay.com or Unsplash.com
Feel free to use resources you have made yourself or screenshots of drawings from the online whiteboard to illustrate your point or idea.
List all external links and sources at the bottom of the article in the order they appear
How to Submit
Submission steps are TBC pending an update to make this easier for Tutors. For now, you may email completed blogs to blogs@sherpa-online.com
A note on external publication
By submitting a blog to Sherpa, you agree that in some cases we may approach you about featuring your article on an external educational website or publication.
This would only ever apply to highly topical, standout pieces, and your content would always be fully credited to you in your capacity as a Sherpa Tutor. We will always contact you before sharing your work externally, and you are under no obligation to agree.
FAQs
Can I submit more than one article?
Yes! We actively encourage it. Each article you publish gives you a further ranking boost. Please claim or pitch topics one at a time to give all tutors a fair opportunity.
How will the article be promoted?
Every article is published on the Sherpa blog page shared across our social channels and external related platforms. Well-optimised, timely articles will be picked up by Google. Our site already ranks number one for searches like "benefits of tuition".
What can I do to help promote it?
Share it on your own social media, send it to contacts and consider reaching out to local publications who might reshare it. A two-pronged approach that is Sherpa's promotion plus your own network will maximise your exposure and the number of enquiries it generates.