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.
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!
True………
Being friends with good bloggers always helps as it develops a community where one looks after the other……
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!
Agree with you…..
AS a matter of fact…..
bloggers are more like magazine editors…..
they have to sift through loads of junk in order to find something relevant to their site……..
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!
True….agreed with you….
people are asking questions when they dont even know what they are reading….
I find that situation kinda hilarious……….
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
Its true…..
if we write unique and useful article then only we can get the bloggers to approve of our guest post ……
Also according to me it should have some gripping factor in it which grips the audience from the beginning to the end……….
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.
If you are offered then you ought to do it……
very few people get the chance to get invites…..
most of them are actually struggling to become a guest author for some good site….
I dont think you should pass up that chance………
“Blog commenting first” is a smart approach. I’ve done this personally. Guest blogging going to live longer
Blog commenting is a tedious job….
If given a choice I would never do it at all…..
But yes I can easily guest post…………
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 the best off page seo technique I love……
There was a time when I used to write around 20 guest posts in a day……
That is an awesome post. You have really layed out your points in great detail. It will start in right approach..
Tue……
But it sure as hell taxes your imagination and typing speed……….
But yeah its a lot of fun when you get the hang of it……..
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.
Agree with you…..
Its far better than creating backlinks and other off page seo thingies…..
Thanks for presenting the needful post for the bloggers Jane!
Yeah, most of the bloggers are doing great mistakes just writing the Guest posts to get backlinks and they never worry about the quality of the post and reputation of that blog owner.
I know the benefits of guest blogging and doing the same to drive traffic to my blog. As of now, I wrote more than 10 guest posts and I never submit low quality posts.
I understood the suggestions give by you and will try to implement it while submitting my guest posts.
True…..
The trust of the blogger needs to be taken into consideration……..
But I guess the blogger has the ultimate authority to accept or reject your post…..
Isn’t it???
Guest blogging is definitely still alive like before. Lack of proper tactics and implementation are the things which make the difference. I’ve Guest Posting is still the best way not only to build backlinks but also increase readership. Thanks a lot for sharing your insights.
Agree with you…..
MY first and foremost objective is to be able to increase my readership….
If I am unable to deliver results then thats a great source of failure for me………..
I am one person who sure believes that Guest posting is also not dead, and this article has opened my mind to more ideas and opinions on this subject. I’m so glad I came across your path. Thanks for sharing.
In my opinion…..
Guest posting is not dead….
But the quality of writers is…..
Most of the people don’t even know a thing about grammar or spelling and they behave as if they are the best bloggers around……
The title of the post speaks volumes about the content of the post. Guest posting for blogs is indeed a good way to add charm and spice to the blog. The guest blogger will bring a sense of freshness in writing to the blog. The word of caution lies in the selection of the right guest bloggers. Thanks for the share.
Agree with you…..
One should spice up each and evrything one does…..
SAme goes for guest blogging………..
I have been doing some of the steps you mentioned in your article - comment posting before guest posting. But, it seems that several bloggers out there are very picky as to which comments to approve. Yes, I understand the spam issues everybody faces, but when the comment is relevant to the article, no spam, etc, AND then your comment is not accepted, then what? With this type of action from the blog owner/moderator, new bloggers will visit less frequently!
That is a risk you have to take…..
Some bloggers are very picky when it comes to approving comments….
But then you have to comment judiciously and then only if they feel you are genuine they will approve the comment….
Its all a matter of time and trust……
A well written post! Guest Blogging will never die as long as content is king. Guest Blogging has so many good things to bring in the table and one of which is building relationship with other bloggers within your niche. For bloggers, guest blogging is a great opportunity to expand their relationship to others. The effectiveness of Guest Blogging depends on how you do things in the right way.
Absolutely correct…….
Content is the king…..
I have some friends on whose site I write as a usual guest blogger and they always have to fend off useless writers who only spew out gibberish content……
Those are some great tips and lessons. Guest posting can be of great benefits if done well. When submitting guest posts you really want to write high quality content, which benefits you and the owner of the blog your guest posting on. Totally agree with the fact that you should really research before you guest post because at the end it benefits both parties. This can also lead to more guest blogging opportunities. Great post!
Its a double-edged sword……..
Trust goes both ways……
If you write good content then the blogger as well ad the audience will love you and hence this will help generate loyal readers………..
I completely agree with you Ron
You can write awesome comments (as I did in the past for IM related blogs)
I also have a partner who does comments on health blogs… out of a 100 he did in a month, half of them did not get through.
However, I don’t think those were rejected, but rather not seen
So if you submit 2 or 3 comments, and none get accepted, then move on, select other blogs to share feedback on
It’s sad, but this happens, and the blog owner cannot do much about it, as the anti-spam filters are eating good and bad comments at the same time!
It’s a two-swords issue…. hope it makes sense?
I am the person who believes that Guest posting is also not bad at all, and this post has opened my mind to more ideas and opinions on this subject. I’m so glad I came here across your path. Thanks for sharing this post.
Agree with you……..
In fact uest posting iss the best thing as far as off page seo is concerned…..
If used in the right way then we can easily generate a lot of readership…………
The idea of blog commenting first and then guest posting actually makes sense. After all it is all about building relationships at the end of the day and blog commenting is just the start. Thanks for sharing the useful tips.
Yeah…the most important thing is relationship building…..
Though I don believe in relationship where personal life is concerned……….
But as a blogger its one of the most important rule of blogging………..
Nice post. i appreciate your hard work. I’m also trying to get my guest post approed, soon it will be..
Hey Jane,
Boy am I ever late getting by here. Great post by the way.
I get so many people requesting to write for me and they always start out by saying I’m a fan of your blog and I’ve been reading it for some time. Oh yeah! Then how come you’ve never left one comment! I’ve often times wondered how that really works for everyone else.
We all know that guest posting is in everyone’s best interest which means you get lots of attention. So the least people can do is act like you care. You’re right, they are doing it all wrong so I hope they’ll take your excellent advice here and take these steps first. I have a feeling they’re going to have a lot more luck if they do.
Thanks again for the mention and sorry I’m so late in getting by. Really great advice Jane.
~Adrienne
Very correctly written Adrienne……….
When they say I am a fan of your blog then why there is no comment in the first place……
I asked the same question from one of the guest bloggers and he tucked tail between his legs and ran away…..
I never heard from him again……;)
Hi Jane and fabulous post!
I truly enjoy having Contributors to my blog however, these are folks that I am confident in and have been networking with for a certain period of time. I won’t allow just anyone and I do have rules set in place. Not so much the length of a post but more about etiquette such as, you are required to reply to the comments left on your post. I had to remind one Contributor several times to PLEASE reply to the comments on your post. It’s your story, answer them for I can not. That bothered me and I won’t be having that person back, ever unfortunately.
As blog owners we have to be careful because even though it’s not our own material, it is our blog and our responsibility to make sure we have quality content.
Thanks for sharing this! Fab info!
Agree with you……….
Confidence in guest authors is a real good thing…..
But I guess….like everything else, it takes some time…..
But once it happens we can really get some good posts……..
I believe what you’re saying is you need to brand yourself across different blogs before cold calling them for a guest post. This makes sense, although figuring out where to start can be a bit overwhelming. Do you have a blog reader that you recommend (ex. Feedly, Google Reader)?