Hey there, fellow humans of varying intelligence levels! Today, I’m going to break down the art of writing a guest post and pitching it via email so even the least brainy among us can grasp it. Let’s dive in without further ado.
So, you think you’ve got a “great idea” for a guest post? Fantastic! Now, hold your horses before you hit that send button on your email.
Let me burst your bubble right away: having just an idea is nowhere near enough to get your guest post published. In fact, if that’s all you’ve got, you might as well toss it in the digital trash bin right now.
Listen up, because I’m about to lay down some hard truths about what it actually takes to write a guest post that editors will not only read but want to publish.
First off, forget about showing up empty-handed with your “great idea” and expecting miracles. Editors and publishers are bombarded daily with vague pitches from wannabe guest writers who haven’t put in the work.
Don’t just talk about your idea—write the damn article. Polish it, refine it, and make sure it’s the best piece of content you can produce.
Your article should be packed with value: new information, fresh insights, compelling statistics, or analysis of recent news and events. Show that you’ve done your research and that your piece brings something new to the table.
Now, before you even think about pitching, do your homework. Study the publication you’re targeting. What kind of content do they publish? Who is their audience?
Tailor your article and your pitch to fit their style and preferences. Show that you’re familiar with their content and that your piece aligns with their editorial standards.
Then, summarise your article in a few sentences—highlight the main points and why it’s relevant to their audience. Include a catchy title and a brief bio that showcases your expertise. And for the love of all things digital, proofread your pitch before sending it out!
Editors are busy people. If you don’t hear back within a reasonable time frame, send a polite follow-up email. Keep it short and professional.
Sometimes, your pitch may have slipped through the cracks or they might be considering it for a future slot. A gentle nudge can sometimes make all the difference.
Patience is key in the world of guest posting. Don’t get disheartened if you face rejection or silence. Use any feedback you receive to improve your writing and keep pitching to other publications. Persistence pays off.
Step 1: Understand the Basics
First things first, what is a guest post? It’s like crashing a friend’s party but in the virtual world—writing an article for someone else’s blog or website. It’s a win-win: you get exposure, and they get quality content.
Step 2: Choose Your Target
Don’t just throw your post idea into the internet void. Research potential blogs or websites that align with your niche. Make sure they accept guest posts and have an engaged audience.
Step 3: Craft Your Post
Time to flex those brain cells! Your guest post should be informative, engaging, and relevant to the blog’s audience. No rambling or jargon—keep it simple and valuable. Outline your ideas clearly and back them up with facts or personal experiences. Aim for a word count that the blog usually accepts.
Step 4: Nail the Pitch
Now for the tricky part: the email pitch. Remember, brevity is your friend. Introduce yourself briefly, mention why you love their blog, and propose your guest post idea. Include a catchy subject line that grabs attention—none of that “Hey” or “Guest Post Inquiry” snoozefest.
Step 5: Follow Up (Politely)
If you don’t hear back after a week, send a polite follow-up email. Sometimes emails get lost in the digital ether.
Step 6: Revise and Submit
Hooray! They’re interested. Now, revise your guest post based on any feedback and submit it with all necessary images or links. Make sure you follow their formatting and style guidelines.
Step 7: Promote Your Post
Once your post is live, shout it from the virtual rooftops! Share it on your social media, engage with comments, and thank the blog owner profusely.
What Information Should Be Included In A Guest Post?
When writing a guest post, it’s important to provide valuable and engaging content that aligns with the theme or topic of the blog or website where you’re submitting. Here are some key elements that should typically be included in a guest post:
- Catchy Title: A title that grabs attention and clearly indicates what the post is about.
- Introduction: A compelling introduction that sets the stage for what the post will cover. It should hook the reader and make them want to continue reading.
- Body Content:
- Main Points: Clearly structured main points or sections that develop the topic.
- Details and Examples: Provide relevant details, examples, statistics, or anecdotes to support your points.
- Subheadings: Use subheadings to break up the content and make it easier to read.
- Formatting: Use bullet points, numbered lists, and bold or italic text to emphasise key points or important information.
- Main Points: Clearly structured main points or sections that develop the topic.
- Originality: Ensure that your content is original and not plagiarized. It should provide a unique perspective or insights that haven’t been extensively covered elsewhere.
- Practical Advice or Tips: If applicable, include practical advice, tips, or actionable steps that readers can apply in their own lives or work.
- Visual Content: Incorporate relevant images, graphs, charts, or infographics to enhance understanding and engagement. Make sure you have the rights to use these visuals.
- Call to Action: End your post with a clear call to action (CTA), such as encouraging readers to leave a comment, share their thoughts, visit your website, or follow you on social media.
- Author Bio: Provide a brief bio about yourself (the guest author) at the end of the post. Include information about your expertise or credentials related to the topic. You may also include a link to your website or social media profiles.
- SEO Considerations: While not always necessary for every guest post, if the opportunity arises, consider incorporating relevant keywords naturally into your content to improve search engine visibility.
- Editing and Proofreading: Before submitting your guest post, thoroughly edit and proofread it to ensure clarity, coherence, and correctness in grammar and spelling.
- Formatting Requirements: Follow any formatting guidelines provided by the host blog or website, such as word count limits, preferred font size, style, or any other specific requirements.
- Relevance: Ensure that your content is highly relevant to the audience of the blog or website where you’re submitting. Tailor your tone and style to match the existing content and preferences of the readership.
By including these elements, you can create a guest post that not only meets the expectations of the host site but also provides value to its readers, potentially increasing engagement and interest in your own work or brand.
And there you have it—your fool proof guide to writing a killer guest post and pitching it like a pro. Now go forth and conquer the blogosphere, one guest post at a time!
If you feel you can write an amazing technology focused guest post please send the Tech Business News a post submission and we will publish it in your behalf.
Your guest post should include ALL of the following:
- Industry Insights
- Statistics
- Provide A Fresh Perspective
- Offer Actionable Advice
- Present New Research Or Case Studies
- Editorial Comments
- Should Be Hand Written (No AI tools)
- Should be Newsworthy.
- Who, what, when, where
- Should Be Data Driven & Written For The Reader
- Should NOT be promotional.
- Should NOT include forced anchor text
Common Mistakes: How Not to Write a Guest Post
Guest posting, when done right, can be a powerful tool for expanding your online presence, building authority in your niche, and driving traffic to your website.
However, many aspiring guest writers fall into common traps that can undermine their efforts and fail to deliver the desired results.
Mistake #1: Ignoring the Target Audience and Platform
One of the most critical mistakes in guest posting is not researching the target audience and platform thoroughly. Each website has its unique audience demographics, preferences, and content style. Failing to align your guest post with these factors can result in content that feels out of place or irrelevant.
Solution: Before writing your guest post, spend time familiarizing yourself with the hosting site. Study their published content, audience engagement, and tone of voice. Tailor your topic and writing style to match what resonates best with their readers.
Mistake #2: Lack of Originality and Value
Guest posts should offer fresh insights, unique perspectives, or valuable information to readers. Many guest writers make the mistake of rehashing old ideas or offering generic advice that doesn’t add anything new to the conversation.
Solution: Develop a unique angle or perspective for your guest post. Share personal experiences, case studies, or research findings that haven’t been extensively covered before. Focus on providing actionable advice or solving specific problems that the audience faces.
Mistake #3: Poor Writing Quality and Structure
Effective guest posts require clear, concise writing that engages and informs readers. Common writing mistakes include poor grammar, convoluted sentences, and lack of coherence in presenting ideas.
Solution: Take the time to draft your guest post carefully. Use simple language, break up text with subheadings and bullet points for readability, and ensure your ideas flow logically from one paragraph to the next. Edit rigorously for grammar, punctuation, and clarity.
Mistake #4: Overly Promotional Content
Guest posting is not meant to be a blatant promotion of your products, services, or website. Articles that come across as overly promotional are likely to be rejected by editors or ignored by readers.
Solution: While it’s acceptable to mention your expertise or link to relevant resources, focus on providing valuable content first and foremost. Avoid using the guest post solely as a platform to sell, promote yourself or begging for links. Instead, demonstrate your expertise by offering genuine insights and solutions.
Mistake #5: Ignoring Submission Guidelines
Each website that accepts guest posts has specific guidelines and requirements for submissions. Ignoring or disregarding these guidelines can lead to immediate rejection of your post or additional work for editors to revise it.
Solution: Carefully read and follow the submission guidelines provided by the hosting site. Pay attention to formatting requirements, word count limits, preferred file formats, and any specific instructions regarding links or author bio. Adhering to these guidelines demonstrates professionalism and respect for the platform.
Mistake #6: Lack of Follow-Up and Engagement
Guest posting isn’t just about writing and submitting content—it’s also about engaging with the hosting site and its audience. Failing to respond to comments, questions, or feedback can diminish the impact of your guest post.
Solution: Monitor the comments section of your guest post regularly. Respond promptly and thoughtfully to any questions or comments from readers. Engage with the hosting site on social media by sharing your guest post and interacting with their followers. This helps to maximize the reach and effectiveness of your guest post.
Mistake #7: Not Measuring Results and Learning from Them
After your guest post is published, it’s essential to track its performance and analyze the results. Many guest writers miss out on valuable insights by neglecting to measure the impact of their posts.
Solution: Use analytics tools provided by the hosting site or platforms like Google Analytics to track metrics such as views, shares, comments, and referral traffic. Evaluate what worked well and what could be improved in your guest post strategy for future submissions.
Avoiding these common mistakes in guest posting requires careful planning, research, and attention to detail.
By understanding the target audience, delivering valuable content, maintaining high writing standards, and engaging effectively with the hosting site, you can maximize the effectiveness of your guest posts.
Remember, guest posting is not just about publishing content—it’s about creating meaningful connections and adding value to the digital community.
