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If you’re reading this, chances are you’re writing a guest post or thinking about it. Welcome to the ultimate guide to crafting compelling guest posts! Whether you aim to expand your reach, build your brand, or simply share your expertise, writing a guest post is a fantastic way to achieve those goals.
Gone are the days when you could just crank out mediocre guest posts to gain links. Readers and search engines see right through that! To truly connect with audiences, you must craft compelling content that grabs attention and delivers tangible value. In our distracted digital age, this is no easy feat flooded with guest posts screaming, “Read me!”
In this guide, we’ll walk you through every step of the process, from finding sites that accept guest blogs to tips for making your content stand out. Guest posting isn’t just about putting words on someone else’s site; it’s about creating value for both you and the host site’s audience.
Step 1: Choose the Right Blog or Website The foundation of writing guest posts starts with choosing the right host. Taking the time upfront to select your target blogs or websites carefully will pay dividends later.
Here are five tips for picking ideal hosts:
Relevance – The blog should closely align with your industry, niche, or area of expertise. Guest posting in unrelated niches dilutes your message.Audience – Prioritize blogs read by your target customer personas and decision makers you want to reach.DA and traffic – Higher domain authority and traffic blogs lend more credibility and exposure. But mid-tier sites can deliver results, too.Guest guidelines – Thoroughly read and follow all guest submission guidelines provided. This shows respect for their site.Existing content style – Read several posts to assess site tone, length, topics, and more to tailor your post accordingly. Take the time to research and pitch 5-10 potential target sites that meet your criteria. Follow up diligently with each guest and secure guest posting opportunities.
Step 2: Familiarize Yourself With the Blog Once your guest post offer has been accepted, immerse yourself in the blog content. Set aside at least 30-60 minutes for this research, more if possible.
Go through both the current posts and the content in their archives. As you’re reading, ask yourself:
What topics, angles, and formats perform well here? What content seems to resonate most with their readers? What value do they expect guest posts to provide? Has this specific angle been covered already? Make notes on post length, structure, imagery use, linking strategy, etc. Get clear on content gaps where you can provide a fresh perspective. This upfront research is invaluable for crafting guest posts that feel like a natural fit rather than blatant self-promo.
Step 3: Decide on a Compelling Guest Post Topic With deep knowledge of the blog and its audience needs, apply your creativity to identify a winning topic. Brainstorm a list of 5-10 ideas from different angles about your products, services, expertise, or industry. Then, whittle down based on several key factors. Look for ideas that fill content gaps by addressing questions or issues hosts haven’t covered before, providing that missing angle that the readers want.
Focus on educational posts rather than promotional posts, giving high-value advice, tips, or domain insights while avoiding overt marketing that speaks about you. Plus, prioritize actionable takeaways and tactical “how-to” guest posts that teach a skill and inspire readers to change their behavior.
Also, consider entertaining or unique approaches that use humor, personal stories, contrarian viewpoints, or creativity beyond the typical guest post while aligning with what readers already love about the blog.
Refine your ideas list further based on what you perceive will help their audience the most. Then, compose a suggested guest post topic paragraph to insert into your pitch email for increased response rates. You can craft compelling guest post topics that deliver value by brainstorming thoroughly yet strategically based on the blog’s goals and audience.
Step 4: Craft an Attention-Grabbing Headline Source: Adobe Stock
Your headline makes or breaks whether readers will click and engage. With journalistic flair, write short, impactful headlines using these headline formula ideas:
List headlines: “5 Ways X Can Help Achieve [Benefit]” or “7 Common Myths About [Topic]”How-to: “How to [achieve some outcome] in just X Steps.”Question headlines: “Is X Truly the [Superlative] Way to [Accomplish Something]?”Direct headlines:” The Proven Method for Overcoming [Problem]”Benefit-focused: “How X Helped My Business [Achieve Some Result]” Effective titles should highlight the central benefit readers will gain regardless of your structure.
Here are five tips for irresistible headlines:
Concise titles under 65 characters perform best Leads with numbers/lists intrigue readers to click Include 1-2 primary keywords naturally for SEO as well Commands like “Boost Leads With X Tactic” engage more than passive voice Use emotional triggers to pique reader interest and urgency Getting the headline right guides the entire framing of your guest post. Spend ample time crafting until you have one that hooks and resonates.
You can also make your headline more creative and enticing using unique characters and symbols. This can make your headlines look more attractive to readers and possibly increase the click-through rate (CTR). You can check out one of NOBS resources to see the ALT code key table to see shortcuts to typing various symbols and characters.
Step 5: Write a Powerful Intro Paragraph A great intro paragraph is crucial in convincing readers that your guest post warrants their time. It should motivate your readers to scroll down and read further into your content. Otherwise, you lose them. There are several elements to crafting an impactful introduction. Specifically, open with an eye-catching stat, shocking fact, illustration of the problem, or compelling question on your broader topic to make it more compelling.
Moreover, clearly state the core benefit upfront within the first 1-2 sentences of your guest post and clearly call out the specific goal or transformation readers will achieve. Plus, quickly explain your angle’s relevance, timeliness, or deeper ramifications to readers’ lives to build that connection fast by highlighting why this matters to them.
If tackling an existing topic, clarify specifically what new advice, research or undercover techniques you’ll reveal, defining your unique angle. This can help capture your readers’ attention right away.
Finally, end the intro paragraph with a call to action or clarify why taking action now is critical for readers to create urgency. Setting reader expectations upfront in this first paragraph is crucial for framing and guiding readers to the key insights that led them to click on your guest post in the first place.
Step 6: Structure Your Content Clearly Reading long blocks of dense paragraphs has become archaic. Today’s readers demand easy and scannable texts. Use these structural tactics:
Subheaders – Categorize advice into logical sections centered on one idea each. Dropping in subheads every 3-4 paragraphs improves flow.Numbered or bulleted lists – Key steps, tips, pros/cons, and the like are all prime spots for formatted lists. Skimmers appreciate this format.Short paragraphs – Chunk details down into small paragraphs 3-4 lines long rather than intimidating walls of text.Examples and stats – Reinforce ideas using concrete examples, client testimonials, or credible statistics sprinkled when relevant.Bold key terms – Format 1-2 vocabulary words or phrases in bold to allow them to pop while readers scan.Transitions – Use bridge words like “Firstly, “In addition”, and “For instance” to guide readers from point to point. Strategically format your post to facilitate understanding while giving readers signposts to latch onto during quick scans.
Step 7: Sprinkle in Visual Assets Text-heavy posts, no matter how compelling, can still cause reader fatigue. Therefore, visual assets should be strategically inserted to give an all-important mental break while showcasing key ideas visually. Specifically, photos should be inserted every 2-3 paragraphs to break up blocks of text, using high-quality, varied image styles like charts, conceptual photos, etc., for maximum impact.
Visualize tricky statistics or concepts through colorful infographics and graphs to simplify complex data. Short, one—to three-minute videos where you educate through screen recordings or interviews are also highly engaging and interactive. Also, consider pulling out tweetable nuggets of wisdom and featuring them in quote blocks to add a punch. All visuals should directly reinforce core advice rather than random, pretty pictures.
Be sure you have the right to legally use any images, and choose ones that align with advice over generic stock photos to hold readers’ interest better as they scroll. Strategically integrating quality visual assets gives readers’ eyes a rest while creatively bringing your central points to life.
Step 8: Insert Links Strategically Links boost article credibility by referencing reputable sources and prior related content. But balance is crucial—too many becomes distracting, while too few seems dubious. Smart link placement artfully strengthens key assertions in your post. Here’s where to prioritize links:
Benefit claims: Any benefits promised to readers should link to tangible evidence like case studies and research.Stats used: Credit any hard statistics or data from reputable publications via links.Tools or resources: If you mention products, tools, or vendors, link to their site so readers can readily access them. Relevant posts: Link 1-2X to your own content only if highly relevant to amplifying points. Avoid self-serving links that offer little value for readers.External references: Quote and link out to other authoritative sources such as major media sites and influencers. Ideally, aim for 6-10 links spaced evenly throughout your post content. Hyperlinking key phrases organically earns clicks versus aggregating links at the end.
Step 9: Conclude With a Call-To-Action Don’t end your post abruptly without a clear resolution. Instead, close the loop with the reader by revisiting your opening hook and offering clear guidance on the next steps. Specifically, conclude with a call-to-action , which can take several compelling forms. You can recap your central argument briefly in a summary, reminding readers of what they stand to gain.
Close with one final, actionable application tip that links back to the key benefit you promised upfront. Then, consider posing an open-ended question inviting responses or opinions about their main takeaway. Tie back to an engaging anecdote shared early on to bring the story full circle. Or paint a “new world” vision achievable if readers apply what they learned, spurring them to imagine future possibilities.
Finally, provide links to helpful tools, downloads, or services that continue assisting readers even after they finish your article. Getting readers to take action beyond your post creates further engagement opportunities.
Step 10: Proofread Thoroughly Nothing unravels great advice faster than typos, missing images, dead links, and a lack of professional polish. Before submitting your guest post, scrutinize every aspect:
Scan grammar – Run the entire post through this automated grammar checker, catching misspellings and punctuation errors.Read aloud – Verbally saying the post aloud catches awkward phrasing easily missed visually.Check formatting consistency – Confirm the proper format of all titles, subtitles, links, and images.Review tone – Give your post one last read-through, specifically checking if the tone stays aligned with what’s valued and expected.Request feedback – Have 1-2 colleagues further review your draft for areas of confusion as a final quality check before publishing live. While tedious, line editing saves reputational damage from preventable oversights after posting in public digital space forever. The high caliber and error-free polish tighten content authority.
Conclusion Crafting a compelling guest post requires a blend of strategic planning and creative writing. By understanding the unique audience of someone else’s website, tailoring your content to align with their interests, and following a structured approach, you can create posts that resonate and engage.
The benefits of guest posting are multifaceted, from expanding your reach and building authority to fostering relationships within your industry. When writing for someone else’s website, it’s crucial to balance showcasing your expertise and adding value to the host site’s audience.
A well-executed guest posting strategy enhances your visibility and drives traffic back to your own site. Embrace the art of guest posting and watch as it opens new doors of opportunity and growth for your brand. Read our other blogs to learn more about guest posting.
FAQs What Is Guest Posting, and Why Is It Important for SEO? Guest posting is the practice of writing and publishing an article on someone else’s website. It is important for SEO as it can help generate backlinks to your site, increase organic and referral traffic, and improve your site’s authority and ranking in search engines.
How Can Guest Blogging Benefit My Website or Blog? Guest blogging can benefit your website or blog by providing backlinks, attracting new audiences, increasing referral traffic, and enhancing your site’s credibility and authority in your niche.
What Are the Steps to Write a Guest Post? The steps to writing a guest post include finding guest posting opportunities, researching the target blog’s audience and content guidelines, crafting a high-quality post that adds value to the readers, and including a relevant backlink to your site.
How Can I Find Sites That Accept Guest Posts? You can find sites that accept guest posts by using SEO tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush, searching for guest blogging opportunities in your niche, reaching out to bloggers or site owners directly, or joining guest blogging communities.
What Are the Benefits of Guest Posting for Link Building? Guest posting is an effective link-building strategy that can help you acquire backlinks from high-quality sites, improve your website’s authority and ranking, and establish relationships with other bloggers and site owners in your niche.
What Is the Ultimate Guide to Writing a Guest Post? The ultimate guide to writing a guest post includes understanding the target blog’s audience and content guidelines, creating an engaging and informative post, optimizing your anchor text for backlinks, and following up with the site owner after publication.
How Can a Guest Posting Strategy Help Improve My Site’s SEO? A strategic guest posting approach can help improve your site’s SEO by increasing backlinks, driving organic and referral traffic, enhancing brand visibility, and e
