If you are a serious blogger, you might be looking to promote your blog and business with guest posting.
As a matter of fact, guest posting to the right places could really boost your traffic and sales considerably.
When I’m saying guest posting, however, I’m not talking about trying to reach any blog out there. I’m talking about reaching the big mammoth blogs where your guest post could really matter and make a difference for you.
The question is, how can you write an effective guest post pitch that will get you positive responses?
When you pitch those big blogs, you need to understand that itโs going to take more than a simple email such as you would send to your blogger friends to ask them if you could guest post on their blog. Itโs going to take a specific an effective guest post pitch for you to get any chance of a response from those guys.
In this post, Iโm going to give you a step by step about how to write an effective pitch to get positive responses about your guest post.
Two Vital Things you Need to Know about Guest Blogging
If you want your guest posts to pay off. I mean, really pay off. ย You need to understand two most vital things.
1-ย ย ย ย You need to reach out to big mammoth blogs
2-ย ย ย ย You need to do it over and over
I know it might not sound very attractive, and we all want to hear easy answers to our questions, but this one, am afraid, doesn’t have one.ย I know that many people may not like this answer, because in the back of their mind they hear words such โdifficult,โ โtough,โ โefforts,โ and โhard work.โ
Well, anything worthwhile requires some type of effort. This is one of them.
I know. Believe me.
Pitching the Mammoth Blogs
We can easily say that there is a right way and a wrong way to pitch those big blogs. I can assure you that if you do it the wrong way, youโll either never hear back from them or get a negative reply. Donโt forget that they receive dozens, maybe hundreds of requests for some of them, each day. ย Your completion is tough to say the least.
But donโt let that discourage you. Itโs better to know what you’re against and do things right, than not knowing and hitting your head against the wall every time.
Now that the truth is out of the way, letโs see how you can create the perfect pitch, so you can at least stand a chance to be viewed as a professional blogger who knows how to act and what to do when it comes to promote your articles on those big blogs.
Here is a step by step to write an effective guest post pitch.
Tell them Who you are and Why you are Contacting them
Donโt lose any time with redundancy. Open your letter (email) telling them who you are. and what you would be presenting to them.
Simply introduce yourselfโฆ โMy name is โฆ. and Iโd like to contribute a guest post toโฆโ This is basically how you should open your email.
They donโt need to know where you first heard from them or how much you love their blog.ย They donโt really care about that. Remember that they receive hundreds of requests and they are past this type of interest, because so many people like and visit their blog on a daily basis.
Include Samples of your Previous Work
Right after your short introduction, its time to give them a small list (3 or 4) of other successful guest posts if you have any, especially if they are relevant to their blog topic.
If you do have some, you should include links to previous guest post, because it will be one of your best weapons to get in. ย That’s why it’s always easier to guest post on those big blogs if you have done it before.
I know it sucks, but that’s the truth.
However, if you donโt have guest posts, you can always include samples of your own best posts that are relevant to their blog.
Write the title and include the URL of the post just below.
Introduce your Topic
If itโs possible, you can actually pitch them with 2 topics, so they could choose which one they want, but it works fine with one topic only as well.
This is how you do it…
Mention the headline of your post.ย This is where you better make sure that your headline is a good one, because if itโs not, they may stop reading your pitch right there.
Underneath the headline, write about the theme of your post in two or three lines.ย Make sure that itโs short but really explains what your post is all about.
Under your short blurb telling them what your post is about, mention how you are going to (or already did) develop the article.
An easy way to do this is by taking each of your subheadings and break them down into a single sentence. This is also a good place to let them know if youโre going to add some case study links or high quality posts that will support your your article.
You donโt need to tell them what specific links at that point; just let them know that you will add such links to increase the value of your post, and emphasis what you’re saying.
If your post is going to include screen shots or graphics to support your article, there would be a good place to let them know as well.
Note: You donโt have to link to other sites or include images. This is really up to you and depends greatly on the topic of your guest post.
Make it Obvious that you are a Reader of their Blog
We are all the same, big blogs, or small blogsโฆ it tends to irritate us when someone is pitching us while you can tell that they have never set foot on your blog.ย And Iโm not talking about commenting here.
What Iโm talking about is, really study the type of content that they approve and publish, and try to bring about at least one of such features in your post, and mention it in the pitch.ย Here is how you do it.
For example, if you noticed that their posts often include links to influencer bloggers, mention in your pitch that your post will be including links to influencersโ posts that will emphasis your point.ย If you notice that they like to include quotes, tell them that you will be including quotes. And so on.
By doing so, you wonโt have to tell them that you read they blog on a regular basis, youโll prove it to them.
Thatโs why you should never pitch a blog you have never read before. More than that, you should be very familiar with it.
End your Pitch with a short Bio and a Link to your Site
Anonymity doesn’t do well for want-to-be guest bloggers.ย When I see some people asking me to guest post on my blogs who donโt even have a face, I want to run away from them as fast as I can. Now, itโs the same thing with those guys.
They donโt have to know you personally, but they do want to know who you are, what you do, and where you are located.ย 1 to 3 lines are enough.
It could be something like, โI am a technical writer out of Seattle, WA working as a freelance writer for big companies and corporations, and I blog at http://….โ
Now that we know how to format the pitch, let’s talk about the post itself.
Pitch Topics that will Appeal to a Large Public
Remember that guest blogging is basically opposite niche blogging or target marketing. Your guest post topic needs to appeal to a large crowd, not just a specific small group of people.ย What I mean by this is do not write headlines such as: โsomething, something for people between 18 and 25,โ or โsomething, something for people living in suburb areas,โ or yet again, โsomething, something for people on diet.โ
Do you see what I mean?
Those guys want their posts to be helpful for ALL their readers, not just a few of them. ย So the more exclusive you will be, the least chance youโll have for your guest post accepted.
Be Keyword Conscious
Those blogs count on keywords for their posts to be found organically, so when you write your guest post, put aside 3 main keywords that you will place in your post at least a couple of times each. Do not force the keywords just for the sake of it either, but be conscious of them and place them where they fit naturally.
However, your main keyword needs to be in your headline, towards the beginning of your post, in the middle of your post and towards the end.
Those guys will look at that. If your article has no specific keyword(s), theyโll probably reject it.
Keep your Promises
Remember all the promises you’ve made in your pitch, because they better stick all the way to your post. ย You need to remember that no matter how good your pitch is, at the end of the day, what those big blogs want is value for their readers, and something that will make them look good at the same time.
If youโre post doesn’t do that for them, there is no chance theyโll accept your article.
Be Original
Do you know what those big blogs are really after?
Originality!
Yes, theyโre looking for something fresh and new, not something they’ve covered several times over themselves or with their guest posts.
The very first reply I got from a big blog was, โWhile this topic is a good one, we’ve covered this several times before.โ
So, besides being the best writer and the best pitch creator, you need to be as original as you can, while staying helpful for most.
I truly think that this is the toughest part of guest posting on big mammoth blogs. But if you manage to be original while helpful for most readers, you will have a winner.
Yes, guest posting on big blogs can be a challenge, but itโs not impossible either.ย Remember some bloggers and writers are published every day on those big blogs.ย If they can do it, why couldn’t you?
Over to you!
Over to you now. What’s your experience with guest blogging if you have any? If you don’t, are you willing to try this out? Let us ย know in the comments.
Photo Credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Hi Sylviane, This is one area as a blogger I have neglected.
It is a new year and time to buckle down then. Thanks for the insight on just getting the pitch done. I have heard from people that a hand written letter may grease a few gears too.
Like I said so I have heard. Ok within 3 weeks I will start my pitching using your tried and true.
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Hi Lance and welcome here,
Iโve never heard of doing a hand written letter, now by โhand writtenโ I hope they mean typed, right? If you ask, me I donโt think it makes any bit of a difference.
As long as itโs done well and that you have an article of value for them, thatโs what is really going to get you in at the end of the day.
Thank you for your feedback and have a great day!
Hi Sylviane,
Thank you for this great advice. I never thought of asking to guest post on anyone’s blog. But now you have me thinking about it.
Reading through this, I kept saying to myself “Who would want me?” And I realized that I have no confidence when it comes to this. I’m not a professional writer, but I guess I do have something to say don’t I? (I’m talking to myself here lol)
I may seem outgoing, but when it comes to this, I have no confidence at all that some big blogger would want to hear from me. What a wake up call this has been for me.
I do have to address that confidence issue and when I do, I would like to follow these directions you have given and give it a shot. Hey, what do I have to loose? I’m not afraid of being turned down because that’s the way it goes out there.
But now I know the How To Do It from you!
Thanks Sylviane!
-Donna
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Hi Sylviane,
Pitching guest post can be intimidating somehow but thank for providing this post as it is great guidance for those who like to try for it.
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Hi Okto,
You’re welcome. I’m glad you enjoyed those tips and I feel that, indeed, it could be a great guidance post for those who want to pitch a guest post on big blogs.
Thank you for coming by, and have a great day!
Hi Sylviane
I have very limited guest blogging experience. I think the biggest deterrent for me is the time involved in getting a post published.
Blogging isn’t what makes me money so I have to be careful with the amount of time I dedicate to it.
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Hi Mark,
I totally understand. Blogging takes time, guest blogging takes even more time. However, in the long run it can really bring in the money, that’s why people do make the effort to guest post, though. Maybe having it planed out could help.
Thank you for your input.
Hi Sylviane!
This post came at a great time for me. I’ve been looking at my game plan for the new blog trying to get it out there and guest posting is a great idea.
I get so nervous pitching to bloggers. Especially pitching to the “mammoth blogs”.
I love the advice you shared with us! I never thought to go as far as giving a Headline but I can see how that can appeal to the blogger.
I can’t wait to implement these! The only thing I have to wrestle with is building my confidence. My new blog is in a totally new niche for me and it’s busting at the seams with competition.
Being original is hard because a topic can have been covered before you write about it.
It’s like I started all over again with those “My blog’s not good enough” thoughts because I see other blogs around me that are just awesome.
I have some guest posts under my belt and the learning experience is like no other.
Thank you for putting this post together! Have a wonderful Tuesday!
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Hi Corina,
You need to have a handful of positive statements about yourself that you have to repeat for few minutes at the time each day! I think that’s the first thing you need ๐
Writing guest posts is like anything else, the more you do it, the more comfortable with it you’ll be.
Yes, absolutely, you need to submit a title. Now they can change it or twist it if they want, but if you find a great title, they’ll keep it.
I’m glad this post has helped you in any way.
Hey Sylviane,
As you probably know, I’ve been following Jon Morrow a lot these past several months and he has a coaching program on writing guest posts and it’s how he got his start.
He also said that the initial approach has to be right or nothing else you do will matter. He mentioned that they don’t care how many times you’ve posted before it’s the post you are presenting that they’re the most interested in.
Of course you have to learn from him to get all the inside scoop which I haven’t so I would have no idea what steps you would need to take so thank you for outlining this and I take it this means you got accepted for a big blog. I know you were going for it so I can’t wait to hear and read that post.
Thank you again because I do eventually intend to go this route and if I can’t get past this step then I’m dead in the water and that’s just unacceptable.
Have a great week and I’ve got Sophie in my prayers.
~Adrienne
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Hi Adrienne,
I’m sure you are going to learn great things with Jon Morrow about guest posting, since he’s a pro at that. I learned a lot from Oni who’s a pro at it too with some 100+ guest posts on big blogs out there. And I’ve learned a lot from Carol Tice who’s like the queen of freelance writing.
I know that if I follow what those guys are saying and doing I can get somewhere with this.
I’m not saying at this point, but some great things should be happening soon. I know they will, but I’ll shut up for now.
One has already started, and that’s why I talked about on my last France blog post ๐ I am using my Law of Attraction knowledge to the best of my ability with life that still happen here and there, of course, but I’m getting better and better.
Thank you for coming Adrienne, and nice to have you back here ๐
Hi Silviane,
I was listening to the webinar of Danny Iny and Steve Scott the other night and Danny shared his guest posting experience. He said, he was a nobody before and no traffic, no comment on his blog. I believe he took that webinar with Jon Morrow. The one that cost you $500+…yup, that one!
Anyway, he was sharing his experience and he said he actually wrote to about 30 BIG companies like CNN, Copyblogger, I forgot the rest…but *big* companies. And to his surprise he said they all said YES!!!! Haha…and now he has this big job of fulfilling all the guest posting for each one…but he’s pretty successful with it. And now he’s giving his own seminar how to write a guest post.
As far as I’m concerned, guest posting is in the back burner for now. I know Steve Scott said that spend more time guest posting for others than posting on your own blog. Post only once-a-week in your blog and spend the rest guest posting for others. BUT…I’m not quite ready. I’ve got this new project of this new “niche website” that I’m constructing right now and this is going to need a lot of quality writing.
Anyway, you’ve jotted down all of these helpful tips. Excellent post. Thanks for sharing us these nuggets. Have a great week, my friend.
Angela
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Hi Angela,
Yes, I know the story of Danny Iny, and I know that Jon Morrow has that course/seminar, but one can learn how to guest post on the big blogs without paying $500 for it too. I learn form other people myself who are making 6-7 figures writing, so they are not too shabby either ๐
You know that makes me laugh when they say write once a week for your blog and do guest posts the rest of the time like that gives you a lot of time left. LOL. The reality is that even by posting on your own blog once a week (which is what I do, but I have 3 blogs) it still doesn’t leave you that much time, because life is not only about writing blog posts.
However, yes, I do think that guest blogging on big blogs will open so many doors to you. That’s the way to go. But saying that’s easy, would be a lie ๐
Thank you for coming and giving us your input, Angela ๐
Hello Sylviane Nuccio, I’m very happy to find this Beautiful post about Effective Guest Post. I’m very thankful of this post which teach so many valuable things in all over Guest post ๐
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Hi Mannesha, and welcome.
I’m glad you enjoyed the post and hope you learned a few things from it.
Thank you for coming.
Great points, Sylviane ๐
I am not a fan of writing on big blogs. I prefer medium sized blogs since they tend to have an active community. With big blogs, the community is small, but the amount of shares you get are very large. I am looking for exposure, but feedback (and building relationships) are much more important to me.
You know, it’s like the big classes in college. You get more exposure (well, the professor does…he gets more students..although I am not sure whether they prefer that), but you don’t build that relationship with students (it’s really hard to maintain an active relationship when you have 200 other students).
Plus, my target audience is established bloggers (bloggers who already have an active blog, but are not the ‘pros’ yet). And, as far as I’ve seen, most of these bloggers spend more time on medium sized blogs (commenting etc) than on big blogs (Sure, they do share the stuff…but that is automated).
That being said, I agree with your points. If we are looking for more exposure, our best bet is publishing on the big blogs of industry.
I only set guest post requests once I have a good relation with the blog owner (I try to build it through comments). There have been exceptions of course, like the one time I guest posted on Pro blogger. But, other than that, all of my guest posts are written and published for people I already knew.
So, writing emails isn’t much of an issue (I don’t have to spend time introducing myself and so forth :D).
Another plus is that the comments I leave on the blog gets me more traffic (which is a double win!).
Anyways, thank you for the tips, Sylviane ๐ Appreciate it. Hope you are having a good week ๐
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Hi Jeevan,
Well, my dear, if you’ve already posted on Problogger I bet that you have no problems with those emails, since it worked for you.
I totally understand your point, but unfortunately, those who have developed a true client data base for their business have done it because of guest posting on big blogs. As stupid as it may be, at the end of the day, once you’ve posted on places such as these, potential clients give you more credit, and then it snowball.
However, if you don’t have such goal as getting clients or growing a business, you don’t have to worry about posting on big blogs.
Now, I got curious, though. What was the topic of your post on Problogger?
Emailing was alright ๐ I already had plenty of experience writing and pitching guest posts (my initial plan was to not guest post at any big blogs…but I changed my mind and decided to try doing one – at Pro blogger).
Agreed..it’s like one of those assumptions..you got a post on a big blog..then you must be big!
I do plan to do that with my new blog (so, I might guest post at a big blog…but at this point, I am just sticking with my usual option of medium sized blogs).
You can check the post here: problogger [.] net/archives/2012/03/12/how-to-awe-your-readers-to-take-action ๐
Sorry for the delay in reply. Hope you are having a great weekend!
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Thanks Jeevan, I will read your post there for sure.
Now, only one blog post, event in the bigest of bigs, won’t do it either. It’s an on going process ๐
Thanks for sharing this link.
Hi Sylviane,
This was an interesting post for me as I’ve never thought about pitching as a guest poster to the bigger blogs. I have thought about the Huffington Post so this gives me some very good pertinent points as I never really knew exactly what to do.
Great New year’s post and something to start the year out. Thanks for the help and what a great job.
Thanks,
Barbara
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Hi Barbara,
I’m glad you could get something out of this post. I know pitching those big blogs can be intimidating as we don’t even know what to do to start with. Unfortunately, it’s not like asking to guest post on one of our friends blog or anything like that, because it’s way more business.
There’s no such thing as friendly relationship there, and frankly they don’t care about you, just your post and how good it it ๐ But it’s those kind of guest posts that really brings the results. That I’m sure of!
Thank you for your input.
Hey Sylviane,
These are some great tips to follow as far as pitching big time bloggers to do a guest post on them. From what it sounds like they just want you to get to the point since they have all those requests.
I never done a guest post before but at the same time would have to build my confidence in my posts before I can pitch them. I’m always looking to improve them.
But all of your tips made a lot of sense. Making sure you keep it short and sweet, making sure that you show that you read their blog, and giving them a short bio of yourself for them to be familiar with you.
I know originality would be a challenge. The only thing i can say about that is to just be yourself when it comes to this. This would be a great start whenever you write a great post!
Thanks for sharing!
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Hi Sherman,
If you have never guest posted anywhere, before, a good start for you would be to guest post on smaller blogs first of course. I think that guest posting on big blogs should be the ultimate goal for every blogger, because that’s what is going to make any blogger big.
Thank you for your input.
Sylviane,
These are great tips on how to submit a proposal to guest post on a โmammothโ blog. This is a topic that I honestly havenโt given much thought to but (as someone who receives numerous submissions daily) I can recognize that your advice is spot on.
Thanks for a great post. I’m off to share. I know others will find this as helpful as I do.
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Hi Sherry,
I’m glad you found this post helpful. Guest posting on big blogs is something that can really help our business like no others I thing, so that something we might all want to think about at some point.
Thank you so much for coming and for sharing ๐
Hi Sylviane,
This is a great post with many great inputs. Guest blogging is no doubt a great way to expose our blogs to a larger audience and the more we do, the better for our blogs.
Your tips are awesome and very basic. I remember Neil Patel sharing similar insights on his website about guest blogging proposal and yours adds value to what I learnt through Neil. Thank you for sharing!
Have a great rest of the week!
Regards,
Kumar
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Hi Kumar,
I’m so glad for your positive feedbacks to my post. Sending a guest post request doesn’t have to be hard but it’s easy to do it wrong without specific tips to do it right.
Thanks for your feedbacks and have a great week ahead!
Hi Sylviane, I really like your detailed article on Guest Posting and how to go about pitching the big blogs. I often wondered how people end up guest blogging on the big blogs, so thanks for shedding some light on the topic. I’m not sure if that’s the route I want to take myself, but then again, it’s great exposure. Although, I committed to writing one blog post a day on my own blog and sometimes find that task a bit daunting, but I’m getting into a flow, so it’s getting easier. I’m not sure about taking even more time to guest post. Either way, I’m keeping this article handy for when the time comes. Thanks!!
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Hi David, and welcome to my blog.
I donโt think that anyone really has the extra time to pitch big blogs, but I would say that anyone wanting to grow big should. All the big bloggers I know out there have done it and that is the reason number one WHY they are where they are today. So, as for me I know Iโm going to be doing this as much as possible. But I know itโs no piece of cake ๐
Iโm glad you are keeping this post as reference. Please, refer it to others if you feel that itโs worth it.
Thank you and have a great day!
Hi Sylviane,
Excellent topic with lot of advice! ๐
Eventhough I’m not reaching out for guest posts (I’m not that serious ๐ lol…), after reading your points, I can say many does this wrong by just looking at some guest post requests I’ve got. There’s a lot of bloggers who are desperate enough to take an opportunity to get them in front of massive audience. Yet they fail in the first impression they make.
I don’t know if this counts, but I find some are just reaching out but not communicating effectively, Sylviane. You know, big bloggers can be extremely busy and eventhough they take few moments to reply to the inquiry, bloggers who looking for the opportunity just read the reply and do nothing about it.
Not to beg for the opportunity, but if they can keep the communication open and make a good impression on the blogger, the opportunity could be obvious. Isn’t it? ๐ Else, I think they just feel such bloggers are just looking for an opportunity and nothing more. Of course, being a reader who actively engages is a definite plus which goes for the approval with no time.
I wish more bloggers will follow your post and do it right Sylviane ๐ You know some bloggers are terrible at this thing which makes me wonder why they have been bloggers in the first place.
Hope Sophie doing pretty well there, and you both have a wonderful weekend dear ๐
Cheers…
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Hi Mayura,
Sorry for this late reply, but my life is only getting back to normal today.
Indeed, when it comes to pitching big bloggers the lousy requests that even โweโ receive wonโt get passed the gates. There is no doubt about that, so thatโs why itโs so important to do it right.
Thank you for coming, and giving us your insights.
Hi Sylvianne,
Reaching out to the big blogs is the fastest and the basic strategy to use when doing guest posting with the aim of getting links back to your blog.
You have really dissected and explained a very important link building strategy; though I’m not embracing guest posting for my blog at the moment, I want the blog to be at least 6 months old, and with an Alexa rank that is less than 20k.
Thanks for sharing.
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Hi James,
Sorry for the late reply. I’m gald you enjoyed the post and hope you can take advantage of the details explained here when times comes for you to guest post.
Have a wonderful week ahead!
Thanks for the great advice. Loved your ideas. I shall make sure to incorporate them as I write my next blog.
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Glad you enjoyed this Lynne and I’m glad it helped you too ๐
Nice, Really nice work Sylviane Nuccio. You deserve hats off ๐ I appreciate your great mind, Which helped you to shared valuable post for your audience.
Well, unless and until you do not have anything involving you you cant write anything which can engage your readers. The best thing is you have already mentioned about sharing your experiences with people.
Some great tips here Sylviane. Thanks for sharing your advice. I was interested to see your suggestion of including keywords. I may have keywords in mind, but I wouldn’t list them in my pitch so as not to appear like I was just fishing for links. Do you actively state which keywords you will use?
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