1. Match the scope of your research
It is advisable to tailor the focus of your manuscript to match the scope of your target journal. Every journal has its unique niche and scope, and your chances of acceptance depend on how well your manuscript aligns with the journal's scope. For instance, if your article is on prostate medication, you can consider submitting it to a journal with a focus on urology or general medicine. Accessing the ranking list of journals based on their scope is made easy by visiting the scimago.com website.

2. Assess your manuscript suitability 
Prior to submitting your manuscript for publication, it is crucial to evaluate its suitability. Consider various aspects, including the type of research conducted, the uniqueness and innovation of your findings, the sample size, methodological precision, and the level of reader interest. By thoroughly assessing these factors, you can ensure that your manuscript stands out and is more likely to be accepted for publication.

3. Check the acceptance rate of the journal
It's important to verify the acceptance rate of the journal you plan to submit to. As a first-time article submitter, it's recommended that you pay close attention to the likelihood of your article being accepted. One method involves reviewing the acceptance rate metrics of the journal you intend to submit to. It's worth noting that journals with an acceptance rate below 10% present a formidable challenge for acceptance, so it's wise to factor this in before submitting. If you need more confidence as a new author, consider a journal with a higher acceptance rate.

4. Collaborate!
For new authors, it's recommended to seek collaboration with experienced co-authors who have a proven track record of successful publications. Collaborating with seasoned writers not only allows for valuable input on content and technical submissions, but also instills confidence in editors when considering your article for publication. 

5. Language and editing
Make sure the editing and language of your manuscript are appropriate before submitting. You can use each journal's English editing services or certain agents. However, editing services will, of course, increase the costs required for publication. You can also use several tools to edit the manuscript, such as Grammarly, Grammar Check from Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and other editing tools. Apart from that, it would be best if you also adapted your manuscript to the author guidelines of your target journal. This stage is critical to prevent your manuscript from getting desk rejection.

6. Determine your publication timeframe
Before submitting your article to a journal, ensure you have sufficient time to wait until the review process is complete. Therefore, you need to estimate how long it will take for a journal to complete its review and be accepted. You can see this from journal metrics such as "time to first decision" and "time to acceptance." Apart from that, you can also view one of the articles from the target journal and subtract the accepted time minus the time the manuscript was first accepted by the journal. If you are pressed for a specific deadline, you may have to adjust the target journal you will submit according to the deadline duration. Keep yourself from withdrawing a manuscript from a journal just because you meet your publication deadline, as this can affect your reputation as an author in the long term.