Guest Blogging Tips: 10 Ways To Land Posts (Almost) Every Time

Guest Blogging TipUse these 10 guest blogging tips to get  your posts accepted.

Do you face rejection after rejection when you reach out to write guest blog posts?

Before you give up, realize that the problem may be  your approach.

And this article will help you to improve your guest post results.

Why Should You Write Guest Posts On Other People’s Blogs?

Do you wonder why you should invest in writing guest posts for other people’s blogs?
These 3 reasons will help you improve your guest blog post results every time since they:

1. Extend your reach to new audiences.

Since when the blog’s readers see your article whets their appetite for more of your content.

Of course, make sure readers can find your blog with a backlink. Even a “nofollow” link has value in terms of sending traffic to your site.

2. Increase your thought leadership and credibility.

When your writing appears on other people’s blogs, it improves their readers’ perception of you.

Why?
Because it subtly says you provide value.

3. Enhance your brand.

Having your content appear on other sites provides additional impressions. Also, it’s a subtle endorsement for your blog’s brand since it whispers that your information is worth reading.

NOTE: The Actionable Marketing Guide does NOT accept guest posts.

 

10 Guest Blogging Tips

To ensure your guest content succeeds every time, follow these 10 guest blogging tips.

1. Determine your guest blogging goals

What measurable results do you want your guest blog posts to achieve?  How do these results relate to your higher level marketing and business goals?

2.  Do your guest blogging homework

Target optimal blogs to place your posts

Research guest blogging opportunities. To the extent possible, publish your posts published in highly ranked blogs. Realize that you may have to start with lower ranked blogs to earn better opportunities.

Vary where you post

Write posts for different blogs in your area(s) of interest. Consider a variety of options in your category and related fields.

Examine potential blogs

Look at the most popular posts as well as the social media shares and comments on recent posts to determine what resonates best with the audience.

  • What topics are covered and how do they relate to your topic? Realize that you don’t have to have a 100% overlap. In fact, you do better when your target blog has a partial overlap so you don’t look like a competitor.
  • Do you have a special angle to offer that hasn’t been covered on this blog? Also consider the way blog posts are structured. Are they aligned with your writing style?

3. Read the guest blog post guidelines.

At a minimum check that the blog accepts guest posts. (NOTE: Actionable Marketing Guide does NOT!) In this case winding up in a junk folder, you hurt your chances in the future.  So always check the house rules as well as where and how they accept guest posts.

Do NOT send a form letter where you just fill in the blog’s name. This is a surefire way to get deleted before your content is ever evaluated.

Other mistakes include:

  • Putting in the wrong name for a specific email address.
  • Leaving a BLANK in your email. (And, yes, I get requests like this!)
  • Take care with your subject line. Don’t try to be coy.

Where possible try to network to the right person.

4.  Make your blog outreach stand out from the crowd

  • Show your enthusiasm. Actively read the blog. Share the best columns with your social media following. Note: If you can’t find anything worth sharing, why are you seeking to write for this blog?
  • Reach out to the blogger. Build a relationship through another medium.  Also, consider real life events and conferences.
  • Avoid the me, me, me. A guest post isn’t a license to spout promotions.
  • Show your street cred. You have to show your blogging credentials to get your posts accepted. What’s your blog content like? Can you show samples of your guest blog posts?
  • Have a thick skin and don’t make yourself a pest. Reaching out to other blogs involves rejection. You can’t  get upset about it. Instead send out more requests.

5. Create your best content

Remember what your mother said about putting your best foot forward. Well guest blogging is a place to do this. Remember they are offering you the ability to reach their audience so make it count.

If you don’t win them over, you won’t be invited back!

Know the audience. When you write the guest blog post, understand who the blog’s target market is.

  • Ask if they have a marketing persona you can see.Participate on the blog. Commenting makes you stand out. Most blogs get very few comments relative to their readership.
  • Check your grammar and spelling. Nothing turns bloggers and readers off like a poorly spelled post. No matter how quickly you compose your content, take time to proofread it. Not doing so is unprofessional and sloppy.

6. Use images to hook readers

Photographs attract reader attention so use at least one per section. While it’s bad form to include more than one link back to your blog in the body of the post, you can incorporate images, photographs and infographics you can link back to your blog.

7. Make the most of your guest post

  • Craft a link with anchor text. Since you’ve got one or two links to use in a guest post, use them to support your branding and your social optimization
  • Include your bio. Check how others on the site have crafted their bios. Also, make your bio relevant to the blog’s audience. Position yourself!

8. Promote your guest posts.

Don’t assume that your work is done once you submit your guest post!

Instead, find out when the post will be published and help to promote it across your owned and social media platforms.

Also, respond to mentions on social media when your name is mentioned.

9. Give your guest post love

Link to the guest blog on your blog. This shows your respect for the blog where you want your content to appear and gets the attention of the blogger who will see the trackback.

10. Track your results

As with any other promotional marketing opportunity, measure your results. Where appropriate, ask the blog host how the post performed.

Guest Blogging Tips Conclusion

To achieve measurable results from the guest posts you write for other blogs, you need to invest as much work as you would for your own blog.

So make sure that your investment of time and effort yields the best results, follow these 10 Guest Blogging Tips.

Most importantly do your homework and read the blog’s guest blogging policies and guidelines since you don’t want to piss them off. Also spend time on their blog to see where you can add value to both their blog and yours.

Happy marketing,
Heidi Cohen

Heidi CohenHeidi Cohen is the President of Riverside Marketing Strategies.
You can find Heidi on FacebookTwitter and LinkedIn.

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on July 1, 2012 under the title, 21 Guest Blogging Tips To Land Posts (Almost) Every Time. It was extensively updated on August 20, 2021.


Here are some related articles you may find useful in drafting your guest blog posts.

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