Putting together an effective guest blogging campaign is one of the best ways to establish a unique brand, gain followers, and build a presence in the online community. Although it sounds relatively simple, there is a lot more to guest blogging than submitting content to any blogs that will take it. To get great results and avoid wasting time, learn the top tips you need to know to make your guest blogging venture a success.
Posting to any blog that accepts guest posts won’t get you far. You need to find guest blogging opportunities that will give you the type of exposure you need to gain new followers. That means looking for blogs that already have an established readership. There are several ways you can do this. Check online directories that rank popular blogs. Look for a list of websites that allow guest posts. Use search engines to find popular blogs in your niche.
Inquiring about a guest blogging opportunity at a popular blog can be intimidating, but it’s important not to show your nervousness. Saying that you are just starting out and would like to try your hand at guest blogging doesn’t sound serious enough to an experienced blogger. Stress that you are an expert in your niche. Instead of saying how a guest blogging opportunity will benefit you, explain how your guest post can add value to the blog you are contributing to.
Most established blogs that accept guest posts have strict guidelines. Following them loosely or ignoring them altogether is a big mistake because it makes you look unprofessional. Before submitting a pitch or a guest post, always look over the guidelines at least twice.
Pitching guest posts can be tricky, especially if you are reaching out to a popular blog. If you are relatively new to the online blogging community, it might harder to get a guest spot at a high-traffic blog. There are two ways around this. You can pitch an interesting and valuable idea or start small. If you have an eye for blogs that are on the rise, building a long-term relationship with their owners through guest blogging can pay off in the future.
Getting permission to submit a guest post is only half the battle. Now you need to create content that will drive traffic to your own blog. Tailor your content to the blog’s audience. Find a unique angle that will grab readers’ attention. If you are going to include promotional information, do it in your author biography and not within the post itself. Remember to double check for grammar and spelling mistakes before making a final submission.