Getting guest posting content is hard. The demand for quality writing is always high, and there are so many other authors in your niche willing to write about anything for a little exposure. If you’re not getting your articles published, you’re probably feeling a bit of a loss. As someone who has struggled with getting quality guest posts accepted, we know how difficult it can be. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you get more visibility and better exposure for your writing. We will explain what guest blogging is, outline the different types of guest posting offers that are out there, and show you the dos and don’ts when it comes to pitching sites for guest posts.
What Is Guest Posting?
Guest blogging is when an author reposts another author’s content on their own website or blog, usually with minor edits made to the original work. For example, if you have a website about running, you could write an article about how to improve your running technique. You could then send a request to the author of a running website to repost your article on their own site. When they agree to the repost, you’re guest blogging. This is a great way to get your name out there and build a network of influencers in your niche. You are essentially piggybacking off another author’s traffic to get your own name out there.
Why Should You Care About Guest Blogging?
Guest blogging is a great way to get your name out there and build a network of influencers in your niche. It is essentially piggybacking off another author’s traffic to get your own name out there. However, it is not a great way to make money. Most sites that accept guest posts don’t pay authors anything at all, and even though you get exposure, it is not a great way to make money.
Types of Guest Blogging Offers
– Regular Contests – A regular contest is when a site hosts a series of guest blogging contests where authors are given a set number of entries to win a guest posting slot. The guest blogger gets a prize for writing the content, and the host site gets lots of fresh, new content. – One-Off Contests – A one-off contest is similar to a regular contest, except that there is only one guest post written and published during the contest period. This is often used by sites that have a specific topic they want to cover, such as a certain industry trend or a new software launch. – Collaborations – A collaboration is when an established site invites you to guest post on their site. They will usually provide some kind of partnership deal to sweeten the deal, such as a link back to your site or a shoutout on the host’s social media account. – Joint Editorial Projects – Joint Editorial Projects are similar to collaborations, except that both authors get to contribute to the final article. This is a great way to expand your skills as an author.
Tips for Getting a Guest Post Accepted
– Find out about a site’s guest posting policy before you pitch them – You don’t want to pitch your post and then get rejected because their policy is “no reverts allowed.” Find out about the types of articles that are accepted on the site, what is and isn’t allowed, and what topics are taboo. It’s also a good idea to get on the email list of any relevant influencers in your niche. – Get yourself familiar with the site’s tone of voice – If a site has a specific style of writing, guest posts written by different authors will sound very choppy, almost like someone is reading a text on their website instead of writing it themselves. If possible, get yourself familiar with the site’s tone of voice and how they write so your posts sound less robotic. – Find the right editor – Even if the site you want to guest post for accepts all content, you want to find the right editor. An editor who likes your content will be more likely to give you a positive response. – Find your niche’s sweet spot – You also want to find your niche’s sweet spot. A lot of guest posting services are in your niche, but not in your sweet spot. Guest posting is all about getting exposure, so try to find a site that is still relevant, but may be a bit too old for your audience. That way, you can get exposure without putting a lot of time in. – Make it as easy as possible – No one wants to deal with a guest post that was hard to pitch, was written in a stilted manner, or that required a lot of revisions. That’s why it’s a good idea to write your pitch and your first draft as soon as you’ve finished your draft. – Edit and rewrite – Once the guest post is published, you want to edit and rewrite your guest post until it is as perfect as possible. This is a guest post, so be as creative and creative as possible, but keep it authentic to your brand and your niche.
Dos and Don’ts When Pitching Sites For Guest Posts
– Do pitch your best work – If you’re expecting a guest post slot to be a gift, you might be disappointed when they don’t accept your post. – Do pitch a variety of sites – Again, you want to get yourself as familiar with the site’s writing style as possible, especially when you are guest blogging for one-off contests or collaborations. – Don’t pitch anything that is not your best work – When guest blogging, you want to pitch your best work. Guest posting is a great opportunity to get your name out there, but it should not be your only opportunity to get your work published. – Don’t ask for freebies or exchanges – Finally, don’t ask for freebies or exchanges. Many sites will accept guest posts, but will not publish the post on their site. They will just give the post to a contributor on their team, who will usually edit the post and add value before publishing it.
Conclusion
Guest blogging can be an effective way to gain exposure for your writing career, but it is tricky. You need to find the right fit between your blog and the site you are pitching, have great content, and be willing to make a few edits to your original work before it is published. Guest blogging is a valuable way to get your name out there, but it is not a way to make money. Most sites that accept guest posts don’t pay authors anything at all, and even though you get exposure, it is not a great way to make money. You can also use guest blogging to expand your skills as an author and collaborate with other bloggers in your niche.
