How to Pitch and Write a Guest Post in 12 Simple Steps

How to pitch and write a guest post in 12 simple steps? The position of managing editor has existed since the advent of conventional media, but the modern digital editor has developed into much more than just a person with a piece of paper and a red pen.

An extremely difficult role is created by the continual flurry of proposals and enthusiastic authors as well as the actual reviewing, editing, formatting, and publishing of material.

It might be challenging to create a magazine full of excellent material that their target audience would love and share, especially in light of the fact that content production is now such a crucial component of a successful business.

The position of managing editor has existed since the advent of conventional media, but the modern digital editor has developed into much more than just a person with a piece of paper and a red pen.

How to Pitch and Write a Guest Post in 12 Simple Steps

1. Make research

Even though it appears obvious, not everyone can do this.

We don't provide a direct link to our guest post policies from our home page. This was planned. We don't want to get several pitches each day. Instead, we prefer that new guest bloggers find us through the advice of another guest blogger or by independently searching for our policies.

The guest posting criteria, however, are not essential for a regular reader of our blog. Since we post 1-2 times each day, five days a week, readers ought to be able to infer from our content without precise requirements what sorts of stories resonate with us.

Any blog, not just this one, may claim this. Don't send out a blind pitch unless you really want to write for that person. Cite the blog's resources, express enthusiasm for a recent thought that was featured there, and think about joking about a related subject or creating a follow-up post to a particular item.

2. Create a rapport and demonstrate your care

Frequently, people only request to submit a guest article without spending any effort to establish a relationship. Prior to pitching, especially if it's a blog with a single author, it's necessary to contact them, leave a comment on a blog post, or buy anything from them.

This demonstrates your involvement with the community and your genuine concern for the author's work.

Even saying how long you've been a fan and citing a couple of your favorite blogs in your email will help you establish rapport.

Some individuals have even found success by bringing up a common interest. Consider the possibility that both of you have a keen interest in windsurfing. Making connections outside of the professional sphere may be quite beneficial and will make you stand out.

3. Prove your value

Jay and I receive probably more than 200 pitches each week. Do we have to post them all or even answer to them all? Without a doubt. We have a team of outstanding writers that adore sharing their thoughts, and we also publish weekly podcasts, films, and visual storytelling pieces.

We are in the publishing industry to benefit our readers, not our writers.

Now that I know, our relationships with guest writers are often beneficial to both parties. While we learn a new viewpoint, the blogger earns new readers and perhaps even new business. The popular bloggers, however, are silent about their burgeoning businesses and how our visibility may benefit them.

4. Recognize and value editors' time

As I mentioned in the first point, it is crucial to establish a positive relationship with an editor, thus this one is crucial.

Depending on what we have in the works at any one time, Convince & Convert(Open Link in new window) frequently have an editorial schedule set up for the next two to six weeks. This implies that we are constantly reading, editing, and publishing somewhere between 5 and 30 items. That is normal for many larger media publications and blogs.

So don't expect us to read, evaluate, and decide whether your post is appropriate for us in a single day. also three days. Furthermore, even if we like your piece, don't expect that we will be able to publish it straight immediately.

My general guideline is to wait at least a week for the editor to evaluate something before getting in touch. Consider that it will be at least a month before your piece is published.

You get to be pleasantly delighted if an editor responds to you sooner and your piece is published the following day.

5. The subject line is crucial

Similar to effective email marketing efforts, a winning pitch begins with the subject line. How can you expect an editor to want to read your piece if you can't even get her to open your email?

I read every pitch I get, but not all editors do, especially those who run major media organizations. 85% of editors, according to studies, open emails based on the subject line (Open Link in new window).

This implies that in a few lines or less, you must provide something specific, worthwhile, or persuasive.

6. Short is sweet

Have I sufficiently stated that editors are busy?

Don't spend your time trying to woo them with a lengthy love letter. An excellent pitch merely needs to contain:

• A brief description of yourself
• a justification for why your content would be of interest to our readers
• A few suggestions for topics
• Lessons for readers to learn

A completed draft need not be sent with the initial pitch. Instead, it would be better to spend your time acquiring their support for your concepts before submitting a draft that you've developed together.

7. Understand that you are dealing with people

In the end, it's crucial to keep in mind that there is a human being on the other end of every email interaction. In the digital environment, it may be far too simple to put oneself at a remove. Consider the types of emails you enjoy receiving and responding to and design your pitch appropriately.

Just provide them with the information they require.

8. Give Multiple Options

Giving potential employers many options when pitching them for openings might be advantageous. Don't bombard them with too many post ideas. They can always accept your proposal again as long as you provide them with at least three options for blog posts.

Always compose the post after, unless the blog specifically requests it. Before beginning to write, always be sure your concept has been authorized. You'll gain important time by doing this.

9. Offer creative content options

You could believe you've found a sure-fire match if, when conducting your investigation, you discover that a certain blog hasn't addressed your chosen topic area. However, keep in mind that with a long lead time and content pipeline, it's likely that the editor may already have something in the works that is really similar to what you had in mind.

Consider a few topics that you know you could write an excellent article on, and include several different article ideas in your pitch. Your editor will see that you are knowledgeable and open to working with them to find the ideal fit for their readership.

Then, after deciding on a final theme, present two or three possible titles and illustrations. This enables the editor to focus on what they do best.

10. Write once, and edit twice.

Regardless of how strong the material is, over 50% of editors are extremely likely to eliminate a pitch if it has spelling and punctuation mistakes.

This is due to the fact that you are probably not paying attention to the quality of your content if you aren't paying attention to the quality of your pitch.

Don't rely on editors to correct your post's grammar and spelling; they don't want to spend their entire time doing so. Send them flawless posts and pitch letters that they will only need to tweak for formatting and sporadic tone and style changes. Because of this, your editor will adore you and want to collaborate with you again in the future.

The core of your pitch, though, is what may actually make or break it. Your subject line may be your chance to create a fantastic first impression.

11. Include stunning images

Short attention spans and bite-sized material are the norms today. A strong graphic aids the editor, certainly, but it also improves the readability and shareability of your work. After all, visual material may increase the number of views for your article by over 94% and is digested over 60,000 times quicker than text (Open Link in new window).

Everyone benefits, thus it's a win-win situation.

This is why Convince & Convert offers a weekly visual section because we think it's crucial to recognize the businesses that are succeeding. The greatest method to engage an audience and spread awareness is via eye-catching graphics and videos, as demonstrated by our visual specialist Jessica Gioglio.

12. Be A Case Study

Have you used one of their frameworks or methods and been successful in your career or personal life? In such a case, mention it.

You may even use this as the subject of a blog article. A fruitful case study offers enormous social proof that the advice the author shares genuinely works in addition to offering value to the readers.

Final thought

It's critical to do it right if you intend to use guest posting as a component of your content marketing strategy. Every single day, a ton of well-known bloggers and prominent websites get a ton of pitches for guest posts. Fortunately for you, most of them are quite awful.

Spending time creating the ideal guest post pitch can enhance your article's likelihood of getting approved and, ideally, help you forge a long-lasting connection with the blogger.