I know the idea behind guest blogging seems simple enough:

You write a post about something related to your business or brand and get it published at an online publication or website.

In a sense, you’re right. However, it’s not exactly as straightforward as that. For starters, there are specific steps that you need to take to make sure your efforts don’t go to waste. Gone are the days when websites freely encourage fellow bloggers to contribute to their site’s content. In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to find that “write for us” button on most websites these days.

Blogs and online publications are increasingly picky about what they’ll publish and have higher standards of quality for guest blog post submissions compared to years past. Luckily, guest blog posts are still in high demand. Why? Because guest blogging works. In fact, according to a report by Social Marketing Writing, “62.96% of people perceive blogs with multiple authors to be more credible.” 

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Guest blogs work so well, in fact, that established publications or websites with a massive readership tend to get an overwhelming volume of guest post pitches. This is where my tried and tested process for getting guest blog posts published comes into play:

1. Do Your Research

Not all online publications will be a good fit for your guest blog post. Remember, even if you’re trying to tailor your content to fit their publication, it always has to tie back to your brand, product, or service. Be sure to start your guest blogging process by researching what sites are best suited for your material. Is your product or service relevant to their audience? Is your writing style and content format appropriate for their readers? Do you cover similar topics? Does the site have a strong readership? More importantly, do they even accept guest posts?

2. Reach Out

Even before you start drafting anything, reach out to their marketing manager or editor. If the site accepts guest posts, you’ll probably find a section on their website that offers detailed instructions on who to contact and their requirements for guest blogging. If not, send your pitch to the site manager or editor explaining your qualifications and asking if they would be willing to accept a pitch for a guest post idea.

3. Create a Great Pitch

Once the editor replies, your next step is to create a great pitch. Remember, no matter how great your product or service is, you want to prioritize delivering unique insights on topics that are relevant and familiar to their primary audience. Focus on that over trying to sell your brand or promoting your business and you’re more likely to get your pitch approved.

4. Submit Your Guest Post

Once your pitch gets approved, it’s time to write your guest post. Be sure to follow the format the site requires. Ensure that you’re delivering a well-researched, fully original piece, with unique and insightful points their main readers will appreciate. Even if you are given approval to write for the publication, remember that the editor still has the final say on whether your piece gets published or not. If you don’t write a quality article and fail to meet their editorial standards, they’ll likely reject your guest blog and all your efforts will go to waste.

Hope my answer helps! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me at LeadsPanda.