5 Simple Tips to Land a Guest Post On a Top Blog
As an entrepreneur, one of the most valuable ways you can market your business is to guest post on a high traffic blog. It's free, it increases awareness of your business, drives readers to your site, and connects you with others in your niche. Today I'm going to give you five tips to pitch your article to a high traffic blog. It may seem scary at first, but with these tips you are sure to come across as a professional who's easy to say "yes" to.
1. Choose a Site That's Relevant to Your Business
Choosing a blog that is relevant to your business is key not only when the editors are deciding whether or not to run your article, but will play a big role in how you connect with their readers. So, make sure you pitch a blog that has a target market or vision that is in line with your business. If they cover technology, don't pitch 'em on lipstick trends, dig? Not sure how to find out if the blog you want to pitch has a simpatico audience? Check out their "About" page where you'll usually find their content focus, reader profile and more. Also, visit Alexa and click on "Site Info". Enter the URL of the blog you're pitching and voila, reader demographics appear.
2. Show Them Some Love
I'm not talking about signing your email with xo's, but let them know you appreciate their site and how it has helped you or your business. Also, show that you know what's happening in their corner of the web. Did they just re-do their branding or launch a new product? Compliment them on it! They will appreciate that you took the time to recognize that what they are doing is making a difference in your world.
3. Follow Their Guest Posting Instructions
Most high traffic blogs have instructions on their site for guest posters. Some sites want the article emailed to them when you first contact them and others want to hear your title and outline first. Whatever you do, be sure to follow their instructions to a T. As you can imagine, it is easy for them to weed out pitches when writers haven't followed their clear instructions.
4. Tell Them How Your Article Will Benefit Their Readers
When you email a post idea to a blogger, include key points about how you will educate, help or inspire their readers. This shows both an awareness of their audience and an acknowledgement of their needs. Every blogger wants to offer their readers valuable, helpful information - so, it'll be hard for them to say no.
5. Make It Easy for Them to Say Yes or No
When you are pitching to a high traffic blog, you have to assume that the editors are busy and inundated with emails. They will appreciate any way you can make the process easier for them. Limit the number of emails they have to send you to obtain your article and include it in the pitch (unless they give directions to do otherwise) with a short bio and links to where they can find you. And, give them at least a week to reply to you before sending them another email.