To successfully publish a guest post, you must adhere to a four-part checklist. These include ensuring brevity, seo-friendliness, uniqueness, and a conversational writing style.
By following these guidelines, you can boost visibility and credibility for your website or blog through guest posting. Guest blogging has become an increasingly popular content marketing strategy in today’s digital landscape. It offers an effective way for bloggers and website owners to reach a wider audience and drive traffic to their sites.
However, in order to reap the benefits of guest posting, it’s important to follow a publishing checklist. This includes writing concise sentences, using seo keywords, providing unique and plagiarism-free content, and writing in an easy-to-understand, conversational tone. Additionally, it’s important to avoid starting sentences with certain words and phrases, such as “when it comes,” “if you,” and “moreover,” as well as avoiding passive voice. By adhering to these guidelines, you’ll create compelling, human-like content that will help increase visibility for your brand.
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Planning Your Guest Post
Guest posting is a great way to increase the visibility of your business, establish yourself as an industry expert, and drive traffic to your website. However, before you jump headfirst into the world of guest posting, it is essential to have a clear plan of action.
This section will guide you through the process of planning your guest post, from finding relevant blogs to developing topics and ideas that will resonate with your target audience.
Finding Relevant Blogs To Pitch Guest Posts To
The first step in planning your guest post is to find relevant blogs to pitch your ideas to. Look for blogs that cover topics related to your industry or niche and have an engaged audience. Consider the following sources when searching for relevant blogs:
- Google search
- Social media platforms (twitter, linkedin, facebook)
- Guest blogging communities (myblogguest, blogger linkup)
- Blog directories (alltop, blogcatalog, technorati)
Researching Target Audience And Determining Which Blogs They Frequent
It is essential to understand your target audience and determine which blogs they frequent. Identify your target audience’s demographics, interests, and pain points to create content that resonates with them. Once you have a clear understanding of your target audience, use keyword research tools like google keyword planner, semrush, or ahrefs to identify relevant blogs that your target audience engages with.
Tools And Resources To Use For Blog Research
There are several tools and resources available to help you research potential guest blogging opportunities. These tools can help you identify relevant blogs, understand their audience, and determine their authority and reach. Some of these tools include:
- Buzzsumo
- Similarweb
- Mozbar
- Alexa
- Semrush
Understanding The Publication Guidelines For Each Blog
Before pitching your guest post ideas, familiarize yourself with the publication guidelines for each blog. Guidelines may include formatting and length requirements, tone and style guidelines, and topic requirements. Make sure your content adheres to the blog’s guidelines to increase your chances of acceptance.
Formatting And Length Requirements
When planning your guest post, pay close attention to the formatting and length requirements of each blog. Some blogs may require specific formatting, such as using subheadings, bold text, or bullet points. Others may have specific word count requirements.
Tone And Style Guidelines
Each blog may have different tone and style guidelines to follow. Tone refers to the overall attitude of the content, and style refers to the writing style and tone. For example, some blogs may prefer a conversational tone, while others may prefer a more formal tone.
Developing Topics And Ideas That Will Resonate With The Target Audience And Blog Readers
When developing topics and ideas for your guest post, focus on creating content that resonates with the target audience and blog readers. Consider your target audience’s pain points, interests, and needs, and use them as a guide for developing content ideas.
Brainstorming exercises and strategies, such as mind maps and keyword research, can help generate ideas.
Brainstorming Exercises And Strategies
Brainstorming exercises and strategies are useful for generating ideas for your guest post. Try the following strategies:
- Mind maps: Create a visual map of ideas related to your topic by starting with a central concept and branching out.
- Keyword research: Use keyword research tools to identify popular search terms related to your topic.
- Customer feedback: Use feedback from your target audience to generate ideas for your guest post.
How To Ensure Your Topic Is Unique And Fits The Blog’S Brand
When planning your guest post, it is essential to ensure that your topic is unique and fits the blog’s brand. To achieve this,
- Read through the blog’s published content to identify topics they have covered.
- Use keyword research to find gaps in the blog’s content.
- Write a compelling pitch that showcases your unique perspective and how it fits with the blog’s brand.
Crafting Your Guest Post
Understanding And Incorporating Seo Best Practices In Your Writing
As a guest post writer, understanding the importance of seo in your writing is crucial. Here are some key points to consider:
- Identify keywords: Conduct thorough research and target specific keywords related to the topic of your post.
- Write with seo in mind: Incorporate your target keywords strategically throughout your writing, including in titles, headings, and subheadings.
- Use meta descriptions and tags: Ensure your post has an appropriate title and meta description that includes your target keywords, and use tags to make it easier for search engines to find and categorize your post.
Keyword Research And Targeting
Choosing relevant keywords is crucial to attracting the right audience. Here’s what you need to do:
- Investigate your target audience: Learn about the language and phrases they use when searching for content.
- Use keyword tools: Utilize tools such as google adwords keyword planner, moz keyword explorer, and semrush to research and identify target keywords.
- Choose long-tail keywords: Select longer, more specific keywords to ensure you attract the right audience and avoid competing with larger websites.
Properly Formatting Headings And Subheadings
Well-structured headings and subheadings make your post more readable and easy to navigate. Here’s how to do it:
- Use appropriate heading levels: H1 for the title, h2 for main headings, and h3 for subheadings.
- Use clear language: Make sure your headings and subheadings are concise and describe the content they introduce.
- Use formatting: Use bold or italicized text to add emphasis, and ensure that all headings and subheadings follow markdown syntax.
Integrating Internal And External Links
Incorporating relevant internal and external links can add value to your post and improve your seo. Here’s how:
- Link to previous posts: Include links to related content published on the same website to keep readers engaged and increase site traffic.
- Link to external sources: Include links to reputable sources to add credibility to your post.
- Use relevant anchor text: Ensure that the text you use for your link describes the content that the reader will be directed to.
Writing Content That Is Engaging, Informative, And Valuable To The Target Audience
Crafting a compelling and informative post is key to engaging your target audience. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Know your audience: Conduct research to understand the language and tone of your target audience.
- Stay on topic: Ensure that the content you write is relevant and targeted to the topic of your guest post.
- Provide value: Offer actionable tips, insights, or new perspectives on the topic to make your post more useful and valuable to your target audience.
Strategies For Creating Strong Introductions And Conclusions
Powerful introductions and conclusions can make your guest post more memorable, here’s how to do it:
- Start with a hook: Use an attention-grabbing statement or question to pique the interest of your readers.
- Summarize the main points: Recapitalize the main points of your post in a clear and concise manner to help your audience remember your key takeaways.
- End with a call to action: Encourage your readers to engage with your post by sharing their thoughts, comments, or questions in the comments section.
How To Structure The Article For Optimal Readability
A well-structured article is essential to making your post more accessible and enjoyable to read. Here’s what to keep in mind:
- Use short paragraphs: Limit each paragraph to no more than three sentences to make your post less daunting and more scannable.
- Use bullet points and lists: Bullet points and lists can help to break up dense paragraphs and make your content more manageable.
- Use whitespace: Make use of empty space between paragraphs and headings to make your post appear less cluttered.
Editing And Revising Your Work
Effective editing and revision can help to enhance the readability and quality of your guest post. Here’s what you need to do:
- Edit for readability: Review your writing for grammar, punctuation, spelling, and sentence structure.
- Eliminate filler words and phrases: Eliminate redundant language, unnecessary phrases, and irrelevant content to make your post more concise.
- Review your flow: Ensure that your post flows well and that the content is logically ordered.
Proofreading Tips And Tools
Proofreading is crucial in ensuring your guest post is error-free and professional. Here are some tips:
- Take breaks: Take a break from your work and return later with fresh eyes to catch any mistakes you may have missed.
- Use proofreading software: Tools like grammarly or google docs’ built-in spell checker can help to identify errors and improve the readability of your writing.
- Have someone else proofread: Have a friend or colleague proofread your work to provide a fresh perspective and catch any errors you may have missed.
Ensuring Your Article Meets The Publication’S Guidelines And Standards
Before submitting your guest post, ensure that you meet all the publication’s guidelines and standards. Here’s what you need to look out for:
- Content structure: Check that your post adheres to the structure required by the publication, including headings, word count, and formatting.
- Author bio: Make sure you include a concise author bio that lists your relevant experience and expertise.
- Links: Ensure that all links in your post adhere to the publication’s guidelines and policies.
With these guidelines in mind, you can create an engaging and informative guest post that adheres to seo best practices and is a valuable addition to any publication’s content.
Submitting And Promoting Your Guest Post
Once you have written the perfect guest post and compiled all the necessary information as mentioned in the previous section, it’s time to submit and promote your content. Here’s how you can ensure you get the most value out of your guest post:
Creating A Guest Post Submission Checklist To Ensure You Have Everything You Need Before Submitting
Before submitting your guest post, it’s essential to have all the required information in hand. Here’s a checklist to help streamline your submission process:
- Double-check the guest post guidelines provided by the host website.
- Include a compelling bio and headshot.
- Format your content correctly and proofread thoroughly for errors.
- Ensure any links and images are working properly before submitting.
- Include any other relevant information the host may require.
Following Up With The Publication To Confirm Publication Dates And Promote Your Post
After submitting your guest post, it’s vital to follow up with the host to confirm publication dates. Once your post is published, begin promoting it through your social media and other networks to increase its exposure.
Leveraging Social Media And Other Channels To Maximize Your Reach And Visibility
Leverage your social media and other networks to promote your guest post to a wider audience. Not sure where to begin? Here are some ideas:
- Share your guest post on twitter, linkedin, facebook, and other social media platforms.
- Ask your followers and subscribers to share your post.
- Utilize hashtags related to your topic.
- Promote your post on other relevant websites, forums, and groups.
Measuring The Impact Of Your Guest Post And Using Data To Inform Future Guest Posting Strategies
Last but not least, measure the impact of your guest post. By doing so, you can adjust your future guest posting strategies and ensure the best possible return on investment. Here are some metrics to consider:
- The number of clicks, shares, and comments your post received.
- The amount of referral traffic your post generated.
- Engagement rates on social media.
- The number of new subscribers or followers gained after posting.
Remember, successfully submitting and promoting a guest post requires a little bit of effort and planning, but with the right approach, it could lead to significant exposure and growth.
Frequently Asked Questions Of Guest Post Publishing Checklist
How Do I Get Guest Posts Published?
You can pitch guest post ideas to websites in your niche by reaching out to editors with a well-crafted email. Be sure to include a brief introduction, a summary of your proposed piece, and relevant samples of your work.
How Long Does It Take For A Guest Post To Get Published?
Publication timelines can vary depending on the site’s editorial schedule, but it’s generally a good idea to follow up after 1-2 weeks if you haven’t heard back. If your piece is accepted, it may take additional time to go through the editing process.
Are There Any Guest Post Guidelines I Need To Follow?
Each website will have its own guidelines for guest posts, so be sure to read them carefully before submitting your pitch or article. Guidelines may cover topics such as content length, formatting, and tone.
How Do I Write A Guest Post That Will Be Accepted?
To increase the chances of having your guest post accepted, read the website’s existing content and get a sense of their tone and style. Craft a well-researched piece that aligns with their audience and offers unique insights. Be sure to follow the guidelines and submit a polished draft.
Conclusion
After going through this guest post publishing checklist, you now have a step-by-step guide to follow when creating and submitting your guest posts. Remember to keep your content unique, useful, and engaging to your target audience. Ensure that you follow the guest post guidelines of the specific blog or website to increase your chances of being accepted.
Always conduct thorough research beforehand and provide value to the readers by including relevant and useful information. Finally, be patient and persistent in your quest to become a successful guest blogger. Following these simple guidelines will help you achieve your guest blogging goals, build your brand, and grow your online presence.
Happy guest posting!
