How A Guest Post Can Help to Grow Your Blog

As a blogger, you might have come across others in the business who suggests that guest posting should be considered if the blog is to be grown. The question that is of relevance here is that, if you have actually started the process?

If you are among the lot who are still thinking to utilize the true power of guest blogging, you need to read on. If you are using guest blogging to help your blog grow, the write up will serve as a means of achieving success in an organized manner.

What is guest posting?

First things first: let’s define our terms. “Guest posting” means writing and publishing an article on someone else’s website or blog. I offer this on my own site (occasionally) and do it quite a bit on other blogs with audiences that I want to speak to. It’s a great way to connect with new readers and get your name out.

But for the longest time, I overlooked this essential discipline for growing a popular blog. I wish I hadn’t. And I hope you won’t.

There are three reasons why guest posting is such a key strategy for every blogger to build their online influence:

The benefits of guest posting

These are really too many to number, guest posting can help you to:

• Get you in front of your ideal audience
• Establish credibility for your content/ writing
• Increase new traffic to your website or blog
• Attract new subscribers to your newsletter and blog
• Bring you potential new clients or sales
• Open the door to more guest posting opportunities
• Set up an opportunity for potential partnerships or joint ventures

How to get your guest post accepted

If you think about it, it’s not exactly rocket science. The best way to increase your chances of being accepted are to be real and genuine in your approach and back this up with research and knowledge of their blog or website. 

I mean consider how you’d feel if a complete stranger emailed you, out of the blue, asking to guest post on your site. 

What elements of their message would make you sit up and take notice and say yes?

Let me break them down:

1. Start by using their first name

This is usually easy to find on their website, about page or from their email address. If it’s a bigger site there may be an editor or guest post manager, do the digging and find out their name.

2. Show you’ve done your research

If you’re serious about getting your guest post published you need to have been reading through the content on their site first. In addition to reading it you should be commenting on it and sharing it regularly. This gets you on their radar before you even write your pitch. It helps you craft a great line about why you love their work and allows you to show you know what their community wants and responds to.

3. Tell them what they want

Then it’s time for you to say what guest post(s) you want to write for them and why. Give them the titles of 2-3 posts you’d like to write exclusively for them and why you think they’re needed or would be popular.

4. Make it easy for them to say yes

Be bold in your intent and state that you can have this post to them in 48 hours, fully formatted in HTML, with images (either your own or creative commons) that can be used publicly, so they can simply cut and paste and hit publish.

5. Talk yourself up

Show that you’re credible, if you have guest posted elsewhere or been featured on other major sites then mention that (not to skite) but to show you can write and have established yourself in your area as a key writer. If not give one sentence on your skills and talents and why that matters to them.

6. Don’t give up

If you do get a response that says thanks but no thanks, don’t take that as an outright no. Ask them if you could approach them again in the future, give two more blog post titles they might be interested in, and if possible, direct them to a post you’ve written somewhere else that you’re really proud of to prove your worth. Even ask what would make them say yes, and if there’s any other way you can help them spread the word on their blog – show you care and want to be part of their journey.

Examples Of How Not To Ask For A Guest Post

I get pitched daily on guest posts and recently made the decision to no longer accept them. That’s another post in itself, but the point is, some of these people got my attention and a yes, others made me cringe and want to hit the spam button.

Here’s an example of how not to pitch for a guest post:

Hello Admin, 

I came across your website and found some interesting articles on "Starting Online Business" and other generic topics.  

I occasionally write articles for high-quality blogs/websites that address similar topics or a similar audience and so i am willing to contribute an article entitled: "Work from Home Career as an Administrative Assistant". This article covers points like what are the roles and responsibilities of an administrative assistant and how to get into this career to start earning money by working from home. 

This content will be published exclusively on your website (I won't even post it on other websites). Having this unique content should help you attract additional traffic and advertising dollars. No catches.* 

I have gone through the guidelines mentioned in your website for posting a guest blog and can assure you that my article meets all your requirements and so you can easily publish this article into your website. 

I'm sending you this article in a .doc format file through the attachment and i kindly request you to have a look at it and let it go live on your website as soon as possible.  

Regards

What’s wrong with this?

First off my name is not admin.

Secondly you just called my articles generic and interesting.

Yes you figured out what my site is about but then you didn't speak specifically to it

You provided a boring title for a blog post

The fact that you use a small `i’ throughout indicates that grammar is not of importance to you.

This section with a * especially makes me laugh, you might as well tell me how to suck eggs too.

Top Tip: Creating an HTML formatted blog post  

The final part of the email above, is the only part I think recommend you do keep in yours, as that’s very handy to receive an HTML formatted file for easy cut and paste blog publishing.

1. Simply cut and paste your blog into your own wordpress draft blog post and save it
2. Format the heading title and all subtitles, plus URLS and insert your picture and bio
3. Then go to the HTML tab (rather than visual) and copy this
4. Paste it into a Word Doc or Google doc and send it to them

Your Guest Posting Strategy

Let’s put this altogether and focus on how you can use this information to get published. 

Step 1: Remember to do your research first and establish 5-10 sites you would love to see your article published on. Sites that have a decent readership and an audience that you want to get in front of that makes good business sense.

Step 2: Hang out in their community for some time before you approach them. Share their articles, commenting and getting to know how they write, what guest posts they accept and what resonates most with their readers.

Step 3: Contact them with your request to post and make it impossible for them to refuse by looking at all the elements you need in a great pitch email. Follow Prerna’s lead above.

Step 4: Thank them once the article has gone live, share it far and wide and continue to keep in touch with them and be part of their community. You never know when you may get another opportunity to post for them, or return the favour.