How to Pitch for Guest Blogs 2024

Guest posting is a common way for bloggers to share their work on other websites and attract more visitors to their sites.

But figuring out how to ask if you can do a guest post can be tricky, especially if you’re new to it.

Luckily, once you get the hang of it, asking to do a guest post will become easier.

It’s all about thinking smart and knowing who you’re talking to – both the blog you want to post on and the people who read it.

Before we got started, we got some help from our business analyst at Affiliate Bay, who is an expert in guest blogging.

She has shared some tips on how to ask to do a guest post, and Diksha from Affiliate Bay has some advice:

“At Affiliate Bay, we write a lot of guest posts for different blogs. We’ve learned that to get a guest post accepted, you need to make sure everyone involved likes your idea.

In this guide, I’ll show you five simple steps we use to ask if we can do a guest post on other blogs. Let’s go!”

I have compiled all these ideas into one blog post, let’s begin :

Content Outline

Step 1: Pick the Right Blog

When you’re trying to get more people to read your blog, it is a good idea to ask as many other blogs as possible if you can write a guest post for them. But just sending out tons of requests randomly could be more effective.

The first thing to do when you want to write a guest post is to choose the blogs you ask for carefully. This way, you won’t waste your time asking for blogs that aren’t a good fit for you or your audience.

Here’s how to pick the right blog:

Think about the blogs you already like to read.
Consider the businesses where you shop or the brands you support.
Look for blogs that have readers who also like your content.
If you write a guest post for a blog that has similar readers to yours, it could lead to more opportunities in the future. You can write more guest posts or even work with them on other projects.

Also, try to find smaller blogs like yours. These bloggers might also be looking for guest post opportunities so that you can help each other out. However, this is something other than what we do at Affiliate Bay right now.

By picking the right blog to ask for a guest post, you’ll have a better chance of getting a “yes” and reaching more people with your writing.

Step 2: Learn About Your Chosen Blog (and Contact Them if Needed)

Once you’ve made a list of blogs for which you want to write a guest post, it’s important to do some research. Even if you already know the blog as a reader, it’s different when you want to write for it.

Here’s what to do:

Explore the blog and see if it has any information about guest posting. It might have guidelines you need to follow if you want them to accept your pitch.

Look at their previous posts and see if there are any topics they still need to cover. Your pitch will be stronger if you can offer them something new that their readers will be interested in. Being an expert in your field can really help you get the job.

Pay attention to details like:

How long their posts usually are
If they use a lot of images
The style and tone of their writing
As a guest writer, you can bring your own style to your post, but it still needs to match the blog’s usual content.

Sometimes, blogs might contact you and ask if you want to write a guest post for them. But most of the time, you’ll need to reach out first. So, be prepared to send them a message and ask if they’re interested in working with you.

By learning about the blog and reaching out if needed, you’ll have a better chance of getting your guest post accepted.

Step 3: Think of Topic Ideas

If the blog you reached out to is interested in hearing your pitch, it’s time to brainstorm some topic ideas.

Here’s what to do:

Use the information you gathered in the first two steps, like the topics they haven’t covered yet and subjects related to your expertise.

Make sure your topics are SEO-friendly. This means choosing topics that include popular keywords so that your post will show up in search engine results. It’s a good way to show the blog that you know what you’re doing, and it can also bring more traffic to their site.

Consider writing about trending topics, but make sure you have a unique perspective to offer. Don’t just repeat information that’s already out there – find a fresh angle to talk about.

It’s a good idea to come up with more than one topic idea. That way, if they don’t like one idea, you still have others to offer. Aim for three to five ideas, and any that they don’t choose can be saved for later.

By coming up with well-thought-out topic ideas, you increase your chances of getting your guest post accepted.

Step 4: Write a Brief Summary for Each Idea

After choosing your topic ideas, it’s time to write a short description for each one.

Here’s what to include:

The title of your post: This is what the post will be called, so make it catchy and attention-grabbing.
An optional SEO keyword: If you know a popular keyword related to your topic, include it. It can help your post get found in search engine results.
Suitable anchor text and URL: This is optional, but if you include it, make sure it leads to the main point of your post. This is what people will click on to read your post, so choose it carefully.
A summary of what your post will cover: Keep it short but give a good overview of what readers can expect. For example, if your post is about writing guest post pitches, mention that and give a brief explanation of what your tips will include.
Also, mention any brands, products, or services you plan to talk about. This way, the blog you’re pitching to won’t be surprised by any links you include. It’s important to be transparent and avoid coming across as spammy.

If you plan to cite any sources or references in your post, mention those too. This shows that you’ve done your research and adds credibility to your post.

By writing concise summaries for each idea, you make it easy for the blog to understand what you’re offering and why they should accept your pitch.

Step 5: Send Your Topic Ideas to the Blog

Now it’s time to submit your pitches to the blog you want to write for.

Here’s how to do it:

Make sure your pitches are easy to read and understand. Use a clear format like this:

First Headline. [Keyword]. [Anchor text]. Briefly describe the post and mention any interesting points you’ll cover.
Second Headline. [Keyword]. [Anchor text]. Provide a short description of the post and summarize important aspects you’ll include.

It’s a good idea to include a personalized thank-you note for the person reading your pitch. Showing gratitude and being easy to work with can make them more likely to accept your pitch.

Be patient. It may take some time to hear back from the blog, especially if it’s a large site. Online content moves quickly, but the people behind the scenes have other responsibilities.

Expect an immediate response only if you’ve made direct contact with the person in charge of publishing.

By sending clear and thoughtful pitches, you increase your chances of getting your guest post accepted.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, guest posting is a great way to promote your blog and attract more visitors. Knowing how to write a guest post pitch is a valuable skill for bloggers who want to reach a wider audience.

In this guide, I’ve shared five steps from Affiliate Bay on how to craft effective guest post pitches:

Choose the blog you want to write for.
Research the blog and its audience.
Come up with topic ideas.
Write a summary for each idea.
Submit your ideas to the blog.

If you have any questions about writing a guest post pitch, feel free to ask in the comments below!