Sales & Marketing | 11.05.25
Share the Wealth: Tips for Submitting Your Thought Leadership to BISA’s Portfolio
by: BISA Staff
In a fast-moving industry like financial services, leaders across banks and credit unions are navigating shifting markets, new expectations and evolving client needs. Expert insights and experiences can be a lifeline, so this National Writing Month, BISA invites you to share your voice through Portfolio.
Whether you’ve recently completed a project, uncovered a new strategy, or gained clarity from a challenge, your story can spark ideas and elevate the broader community.
About Portfolio
Portfolio is BISA’s digital publication dedicated to member-driven expertise. It brings together perspectives on sales, marketing, technology, compliance, leadership and distribution — helping financial institution leaders stay informed and ahead.
Did you know that anyone can write for Portfolio? Through thought leadership contributions, BISA members can share lessons learned and illuminate trends shaping the industry. If you have knowledge that could inspire your industry peers or guide rising leaders, Portfolio is the perfect place to share it. Know someone else with insights to share? Encourage them to reach out to the editors at portfolio@bisanet.org.
Tips for Crafting a Strong Portfolio Submission
1. Start with a Clear Purpose
Before writing, think about what you want readers to take away. Do you want to offer guidance? Share a fresh viewpoint? Highlight a challenge your team solved? Starting with a clear purpose keeps your article focused and ensures it delivers value to busy decision makers.
2. Keep BISA’s Audience in Mind
Portfolio readers are senior leaders — CEOs, program managers, compliance officers, technology leaders — along with emerging professionals within the Rising Stars program and Future Leaders Committee. They appreciate content that’s insightful, practical and grounded in what’s really happening across financial institutions.
Write as though you’re sharing your experience with a knowledgeable colleague — professional, but approachable.
3. Connect to Portfolio’s Content Priorities
Great submissions naturally support one or more of BISA’s goals:
- Industry Insight: analysis of trends, regulatory updates or shifting client behavior
- Member Voices: reflections, lessons learned, leadership perspectives
- Highlighting BISA Initiatives: research, committee work, conference takeaways
If you reference products or companies, be sure to keep descriptions balanced and non-promotional to meet BISA’s contributor guidelines.
4. Tell a Story Only You Can Tell
Even in a technical field, stories resonate. Share the challenge your team faced, the turning point, the decision-making process or the outcome. Real-world examples help readers connect your insight to their own programs and make your message more memorable.
5. Stay Clear, Concise and Human
A warm, professional tone goes a long way.
Use straightforward language, short paragraphs and familiar industry terms. You don’t need to oversell — let your experience and perspective speak for themselves. The goal is to create a piece that readers can move through easily and take something meaningful from.
6. Give Readers Something They Can Use
As you write, ask yourself: What’s the practical value here? Consider offering insights like:
- Key considerations or leadership questions
- Lessons learned or watchouts
- Frameworks or decision-making models
- Metrics or indicators that shaped your approach
These kinds of takeaways help leaders move insight into action.
7. Polish Before Submitting
Before sending your draft, follow these tips for review:
- Read it aloud to ensure it flows naturally
- Remove promotional language
- Keep company mentions balanced and neutral
- Double-check length (600–1,200 words)
- Include your headshot, bio, and any supporting visuals per BISA guidelines
A well-organized submission helps the Portfolio staff team showcase your expertise at its best.
Sharing your perspective is more than contributing an article — it’s a chance to add to the collective knowledge that keeps our industry strong, innovative and forward-thinking. If you’re ready to share your voice, start by pitching your topic to portfolio@bisanet.org. Your experience could be the spark that inspires the next great idea for someone else in the BISA community.