diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index a9a6eb008..d68d726dc 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -13,6 +13,11 @@
 1. Ensure you have added proper unit tests and documentation.
 1. Open a new [pull request][].
 
+#### Contributing an External Plugin *(experimental)*
+Input plugins written for internal Telegraf can be run as externally-compiled plugins through the [Execd Input Plugin](https://github.com/influxdata/telegraf/tree/master/plugins/inputs/execd) without having to change the plugin code.
+
+Follow the guidelines of how to integrate your plugin with the [Execd Go Shim](https://github.com/influxdata/telegraf/tree/master/plugins/inputs/execd/shim) to easily compile it as a separate app and run it from the inputs.execd plugin. 
+
 #### Security Vulnerability Reporting
 InfluxData takes security and our users' trust very seriously. If you believe you have found a security issue in any of our
 open source projects, please responsibly disclose it by contacting security@influxdata.com. More details about 
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index d29ea7df7..fed4c06cd 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ There are many ways to contribute:
 - [Review code and feature proposals](https://github.com/influxdata/telegraf/pulls)
 - Answer questions and discuss here on github and on the [Community Site](https://community.influxdata.com/)
 - [Contribute plugins](CONTRIBUTING.md)
+- [Contribute external plugins](https://github.com/influxdata/telegraf/tree/master/plugins/inputs/execd/shim) *(experimental)*
 
 ## Minimum Requirements