I have a strong 5-year experience writing hundreds of (practical and value-driven) articles for my blogs. I know the ins and outs of both freelance writing and copywriting.
Just the beginning of this year I took guest posting by the horns for a completely new niche (teaching AM/Blogging), and already have 20 live articles that are already sending me traffic and link juice. Next, I aim for 30 articles per month, each and every month…
That’s the only strategy I will always highly recommend to ensure you drive consistent and targeted traffic to your site (and keep your name and brand) in the front of new audiences.
I made quite a few silly mistakes myself, and learned my lessons, which I bet you’ll want to hear about now.
So, after pitching to over 100 bloggers, researching 100’s of sites and reading countless “guest posting” articles (some are quite amazing) I learned new things which helped me boost my approval rate for guest articles.
I now have almost a 100% accuracy conversion for my guest content. That means for each 10 email (pitches) I send, 9 recipients say “YES!”. Wouldn’t you want to experience such sky-high conversions, yourself?
I mean, it’s tough out there. There are now many guest authors (some more skilled than others) than there were a year before. And next year, competition will get fiercer. You have to learn how to get your guest post approved, or you’ll waste a ton of time, and frustration down the road.
What you’re about to read next comes mainly form my “guest posting” personal experience, although I also got inspired and motivated by other bloggers such as Copyblogger and Gregory Ciotti to enhance my methods. They are two of my favorite blogs and content authors.
You won’t believe how much there’s to be learned just by following how they write, and where they publish the content.
2 Essential Things I Learned about Guest Posting that Will Get Them to Finally say ‘YES’ to You/Your Pitch!
As I’ve said before, I wrote both for small and big blogs. I sent hundreds of emails in the hopes to get my articles on relevant sites. I also picked the brains of other top guest writers and bloggers, and I’ve finally realized the “secret”.
Here are the top 2 lessons I’ve learned and I’d like to share with you (overlook them at your own peril):
#1 Lesson Make friends or forget about guest posting
Before you pitch, write the article, or do anything else, this is what you have to do …
Read the site you plan to write for. And blog comment! Get your name out there… You have to let the blog owner and their readers get to know you first BEFORE you approach the (content editor or blog admin) with an article proposal (aka guest pitch) or writing that hot post.
I’ll repeat it. Blog comment first. Guest post after…
That means, you should NEVER submit an article or pitch an idea to someone who will consider you a stranger. Most writers completely miss this common advice, and that’s why their article or pitch ideas get denied.
What all bloggers want from you?
Quality over quantity
There are now more bloggers who are removing their “write for us” page and accepting guest contributions by invitation only instead.
In other words, you’ll have to expect they contact you (which rarely happens, unless your content is everywhere online, on both small and large sites), or you become a constant and insightful reader and commentator for their site.
Truth is, these blog authors would love to feature one of their readers as “guest authors” but won’t accept article proposals from complete strangers.
Business blogger, Adrienne Smith (who writes for http://www.adriennesmith.net/) says it well…
Guest posting is a way to get recognition and hopefully new readers. So instead of having people write for me that I’ve never met I decided to only invite people to write a guest post for me that I had a relationship with. I decided to only ask those who were regular readers and commenters of my blog because those are the people I care about the most.
It’s been a huge success and every guest post has received well over 100 comments. Some of them are my most popular posts and it’s really helped my loyal readers meet new bloggers and make new connections.
Does it make sense?
#2 Lesson Straight Pitching is Death, Research is Alive
What do most so called guest writers do?
Here’s the common practice.
- They don’t even read the latest featured articles on the blog they aim writing for.
- Thus, they don’t care about spending the time getting to know the blog author.
- They skim the “guest post guidelines” page (they’re far too busy about their own interest.)
- This selfish mindset makes them blind. Thus, they’re “guest pitching” ideas to somebody who hasn’t even heard about them before.
- They don’t receive replies to their emails, or the response they get is not satisfactory.
- As a result, they quit and start touting left, right and center that guest posting is not working.
The fact is simple: their approach is not working because they’re doing everything up side down. Guest posting works, and it’ll always do, if you keep playing by the “common sense” rules.
Want to get your post approved? Get in research mood…
Once you get your name out there in front of the ones you aim writing for (e.g. the blog author and their audience) it is time to read the “guest post guidelines” page (if any) with close attention.
You have to feel fully confident you understand what it is required from you and your content.
Ensure you understand…
- The minimum words required (some do have a minimum demand like 500 or 600 words)
- The type of links approved in the author bio (some accept one link, others two or three)
- The type of links approved in the article itself (some accept personal or affiliate links, others links to other guest posts you wrote, while some do not accept links at all)
- The type of content they need (lists, resources, how-to, interviews, case studies, etc.)
Next, you need to get inside the minds of the audience. You write for them, not for the guy behind the blog.
One site I use to get demographics data is www.Quantcast.com
Another way to get to know the audience (and their wants, needs and challenges) is by reading and participating in blog comments.
You cannot write a hot post that gets votes and feedback (and hopefully goes viral) unless you devote quality time to researching your audience.
Do you see how all points come into the right place at the right time?
Armed with this information you’re now well prepared to getting your post approved. Go make friends with readers and the authors behind their blogs.
You’ll soon have your posts all over the web, especially if you make a commitment to yourself to write practical information that helps the audience, not just your pocket and bank account.
If you have further questions about my guest posting approach, I am here to answer your questions.
If you have something to share from your guest posting experience, let everybody else know.
We’re here to learn from each other and take discussion to the next level.
John Gibb runs an affiliate marketing blog, teaching presell writing and content marketing. He wrote a free affiliate marketing guide - “The Road to Success” - detailing the free methods that he used to generate a record breaking 109 affiliate sales in a single day.
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I've known Jane for quite a while now and one thing I can say about her services is that she never fails to deliver. Actually, no, she always over delivers.. If you are looking for some to assist you with your blogging needs, that being, an audit of your website, a redesign (or even minor tweaks), and to do that all important site maintenance for you, give Jane a try. You are in good hands.
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Truly written. Guest posting is not dead. In fact it has become the norm of the day. But just like eveerything else, people get into this in a headlong fashion. They dont know what they are doing and they also dont want to find out. You are right in the respect that the site admins dont really like strangers to begin with & the idea of ingratiating ourselves with them can easily lead us into guest blogging for their site if we are good authors.
hey Juuhhii
I like your comment, it looks like you’re making an effort and commitment to share real, honest feedback, and not re-word what I’ve just said in the article.
Well done!
I hope your guest posting effort will take off like never before.
Best!
Great share and great explanation of guest blogging.
I always suggest people that guest blogging is the only tool in online world which can take you from one level to another. But the thing to keep in mind is, you must be aware about the good and bad things about this.
I myself always write great content on other blogs which give me huge exposure.
I always try to be friend with the blogger by commenting on their blog posts and then sending personal mails to appreciate their articles. This always helps to to make strong bonding with them and get my guest post accepted on their blogs.
Thanks for this share..
hey Kulwant
That’s exactly the way to go, the non-artificial, non-spammy technique
If you make friends with bloggers, and post insightful feedback to help their community, and benefits others, there’s a high chance you’ll be invited to guest post there, or have your guest pitch approved.
The solution looks like this: make friends first, guest post second.
Cheers!
This is a very good article about how to do guest post as its very difficut to get approved by other site owners as i have learned lots of things with this article to get approved by other bloggers keep it up.
T hanks
hi umesh
you’re right, it’s NOT easy at all to have your guest post approve
these bloggers receive a ton of pitches a day/week, so it’s hard for them to sift through the noise, and go with genuine articles… a guest post proposal coming from a friend and active blog commentator will be considered a priority; although not always accepted, your idea/guest proposal/pitch will be taken into account with close attention
hope it helps!
Were there any reasons to claim that guess posting is dead? As for me it grows and gain more popularity over the past times! So, I’m surprised ti read that it may be not a good thing to do for traffic…
Martin, Martin
It looks like you’ve only read the title… and didn’t bother to glance through the rest…
Are you aware this reflects on your brand?
I’ve seen your comments before, or the ones linking to your site… to me, it shows you’re commenting for the sake of link-building/money-making.
Until you prove the opposite, and bring your best stuff when commenting on other people’s sites, I cannot believe you’re a true blogger/affiliate/marketer, so I won’t buy from your recommendations, nor read your site…
Jane deserves top commentators here, as her content is top notch!
That’s a great post, I totally agree that relationships are very important and people should not be selfish.
Really great stuff. I would like to add that if your article is sharing the same thing that’s already available online then there’s a higher chance it wont get approved. Write something with value that has an “Aha” moment for the reader. But building relationships is also important. Many Thnx John this is a complete guide to guest posting
I’ve been offered to guest post before, but it actually makes me nervous. It’s like someone is putting their blog’s credibility in my hands. It makes it hard for me to write as naturally as I normally do.
“Blog commenting first” is a smart approach. I’ve done this personally. Guest blogging going to live longer
hi Gugulethu
what an interesting name you have!
Thank you for the feedback and the nice words… I don’t think this is the complete guide on guest posting - that was my intention!
If you want to read the complete guide on what to do BEFORE guest posting, you might want to check out this post instead…
zemanta.com/blog/guest-posting-what-to-look-for-before-you-do-it/
Hope it helps?
haha… I know it’s not a full guide, all I’m saying is that this is a great post and it’s informative
Thnx bro.
Nice That’s the only strategy I will always highly recommend to ensure you drive consistent and targeted traffic to your site (and keep your name and brand) in the front of new audiences.
That is an awesome post. You have really layed out your points in great detail. It will start in right approach..
These are great lessons to learn Jane. A lot of negative news has been coming out regarding guest posting but I don’t believe yet any of it. If done properly, guest posting is still one of the best strategy to gain traffic and promote links.