Guest blogging is a powerful way to expand your audience, boost your online authority, and enhance your SEO strategy. But getting your guest post accepted, especially on reputable blogs, can be a daunting task. Blog owners receive countless pitches and submissions, so you need to stand out with a strong, well-prepared post. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to write guest posts that get accepted, helping you succeed in your quest to become a guest blogger.
1. Research the Target Blog Thoroughly
Before you even think about writing your guest post, you need to research the blog you’re targeting. Blog owners want content that aligns with their audience’s interests and tone, so understanding the blog’s style and focus is key.
Start by reading multiple posts on the blog. Pay attention to the types of topics covered, the writing style, and how the audience engages in the comments or on social media. Are posts more formal or conversational? Do they use a lot of images and data? Is the content geared towards beginners or experts? Knowing these details will help you craft a post that fits seamlessly into the blog.
Action Tip: Create a list of potential blogs in your niche that accept guest posts. Research their most popular articles and note the topics that resonate most with readers. This will give you a clearer idea of what the blog owner is looking for.
2. Understand and Follow the Blog’s Submission Guidelines
Most blogs that accept guest posts have specific submission guidelines. These might cover acceptable topics, formatting, word count, and even SEO requirements like internal linking or keyword usage. Ignoring these guidelines is one of the easiest ways to get your submission rejected.
Read the guidelines carefully and make sure you follow them to the letter. If a blog asks for posts between 1,000 and 1,500 words, don’t submit something shorter or longer. If they require you to include two internal links, make sure you include them in the right spots.
Action Tip: Bookmark the submission guidelines page of every blog you want to pitch to. Before submitting, double-check your post against the guidelines to make sure it adheres to every requirement.
3. Choose the Right Topic for the Audience
The success of your guest post largely depends on the relevance of your topic to the target audience. Even the most well-written post will be rejected if the subject matter doesn’t resonate with the blog’s readers.
When brainstorming topics, focus on issues that haven’t been extensively covered but are still relevant to the blog’s audience. A great approach is to look for gaps in their content. Is there a trending topic that hasn’t been addressed yet? Can you offer a fresh perspective on an evergreen subject?
You can also look at the blog’s most popular posts to see what types of content readers engage with the most. If a certain format or topic style gets a lot of shares or comments, you might want to craft something similar, but with a new angle.
Action Tip: Use tools like BuzzSumo or Ahrefs to analyze the most shared content from the blog. This data will help you identify high-interest topics and craft a post that is more likely to get accepted.
4. Craft a Compelling, Click-Worthy Headline
Your headline is the first thing the blog owner (and eventually the readers) will see, so it needs to grab attention. A good headline should clearly convey the value of the post while also piquing curiosity.
Here are some types of headlines that tend to perform well:
- Listicles: “7 Proven Tips to Improve Your Blog’s SEO”
- How-Tos: “How to Drive Traffic to Your Website in 2024”
- Ultimate Guides: “The Ultimate Guide to Mastering Social Media Marketing”
Avoid generic headlines like “SEO Tips” or “How to Blog.” Instead, make your headline specific and actionable, showing readers exactly what they’ll gain by reading your post.
Action Tip: Write at least 3-5 different headline options and choose the most compelling one. You can also use headline analysis tools like CoSchedule’s Headline Analyzer to refine your title.
5. Deliver High-Quality, Unique Content
Content quality is a major factor in whether your guest post will be accepted. Rehashing generic information or submitting poorly written content is a fast track to rejection. Instead, focus on providing fresh insights, actionable advice, and well-researched information.
If you’re writing a guest post, aim to offer something unique that stands out from what’s already available on the blog. This could be your own personal experience, new research, a detailed case study, or a different angle on a common topic.
For instance, if you’re writing about social media marketing, don’t just list basic tips. Dive into recent trends, share new strategies, or provide real-world examples that readers can relate to.
Action Tip: Back up your points with data, studies, or real-life examples. This will add credibility to your post and make it more engaging for the blog’s readers.
6. Make It Skimmable and Easy to Read
In the fast-paced online world, most readers don’t have time to read long, dense paragraphs. To increase the chances of your guest post being accepted, format it in a way that is easy to skim and visually appealing.
Use headers and subheaders to break up sections, and make sure your paragraphs are short and to the point. Bullet points, numbered lists, and bold text can also help highlight key points and improve readability.
Including visuals, such as relevant images, charts, or infographics, can also make your post more engaging and informative. If the blog uses images, try to provide high-quality, relevant ones that fit seamlessly into the post.
Action Tip: Break your post into clear sections with descriptive subheadings. This makes it easier for the blog editor to review and ensures readers can quickly find the information they’re looking for.
7. Proofread and Edit Your Work
Typos, grammatical errors, and awkward phrasing can make even the best guest post look unprofessional. Before submitting your post, take the time to proofread it thoroughly. Use tools like Grammarly or Hemingway to catch any mistakes and improve readability.
In addition to fixing errors, focus on refining your overall writing. Is your message clear? Have you eliminated any unnecessary jargon or fluff? Is the post engaging from start to finish? These are the questions you should ask yourself during the editing process.
Action Tip: After proofreading your post, take a break and come back to it with fresh eyes. You’ll often spot mistakes or areas for improvement that you missed the first time around.
8. Include a Strong Call-to-Action and Author Bio
A good guest post not only provides value to the readers but also encourages them to take action. Whether you want readers to visit your website, sign up for your newsletter, or follow you on social media, include a clear and compelling call-to-action (CTA) at the end of your post.
Additionally, most blogs allow guest authors to include a short bio. This is your chance to introduce yourself to a new audience, share your expertise, and provide a link to your site or social profiles. Keep your bio concise and professional, focusing on your background and why readers should connect with you.
Action Tip: Tailor your CTA to align with your guest blogging goals. Whether you’re looking to grow your email list or promote a new product, make sure your CTA is clear and relevant to the readers of the blog.
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