Guest posting refers to the practice of creating content and having it published on external websites and blogs that you do not own or operate. As a guest poster, you provide high-quality, relevant articles and other content to the host site.
Definition and Overview of Guest Posting
In return for supplying valuable content to their site and audience, the host site typically allows you to include one or two backlinks pointing back to your own website within the article and author bio. This allows you to tap into the audience and domain authority of the external site.
The main goals of guest posting are increased brand visibility and awareness, establishing thought leadership and credibility, driving referral traffic, and building relationships. However, guest posting must be done properly to fully achieve these benefits.
Key Benefits of Guest Posting
Here are some of the key advantages that a solid guest posting strategy can provide:
Increased Brand Visibility and Awareness
Publishing posts on respected industry websites establishes credibility and gets your brand in front of targeted new audiences.
Thought Leadership and Industry Authority
Consistent, high-value guest posting enables you to build a reputation as an industry expert that audiences come to recognize and trust.
Backlinks and Improved SEO
High-quality guest posts allow you to secure authoritative backlinks pointing to your site, which can boost domain authority and search engine optimization.
Drive Referral Traffic to Your Site
Quality guest posts put your brand and expertise in front of new readers who will click back to your site for more information.
Networking and Relationship Building
Guest posting allows you to connect with influencers, publishers, and other brands, leading to potential collaborations.
Related Article: How to Get Guest Posts Published and Build Backlinks
Finding the Right Guest Posting Strategies
Conduct research to identify reputable industry websites and publications that accept and align with guest contributions:
Research Websites in Your Niche
Explore sites publishing content related to your expertise that would appeal to your target audience.
Check Domain Authority and Spam Score
Use tools like MozBar and Semrush to assess overall authority and quality. Avoid spammy or low-quality sites.
Look for Engaged Readership and Audiences
Prioritize sites with visible social shares, comments, and feedback signals illustrating an active, interested readership.
Build Relationships with Site Owners
Engage with sites and publishers through comments, social media, networking, etc. Established connections make securing placements easier.
Pitch Relevant Ideas Tailored to Each Site
Research sites before pitching to ensure your proposed topics are a good fit for their audience and not duplicative.
Related Article: The Complete Guide to Guest Posting for SEO in 2023
Writing Compelling and Valuable Guest Posts
Creating top-notch content is key for getting published and connecting with readers:
Provide Educational Value for Readers
Avoid overly promotional posts. Offer insights, tips, and helpful information readers won’t find elsewhere.
Follow Formatting and Style Guidelines
Mirror the tone, formatting, imagery, and style used by the host site for a smooth publishing process.
Include Relevant Links and Optimize Images
Include useful internal links pointing to related articles on the host site. Format images and headers for maximum impact.
Avoid Too Much Self-Promotion
Keep mentions of your brand or products to a minimum. Focus on providing value through exceptional content.
Craft an Effective Author Bio
Your bio should establish your credentials while also linking back to your site or a relevant page.
Related Article: Why Guest Blogging is Important for Business: Benefits, Strategies, and FAQs
Promoting Your Guest Posts Effectively
Get the word out about your guest posts to maximize their impact:
Share on Social Media Networks
Promote your guest posts across your social channels. Tag publishers and engage with their posts about your content.
Engage With Comments and Readers
Reply to any comments on your guest posts to generate interest and demonstrate your expertise.
Ask Publishers to Share and Promote It
Politely ask the publisher to share the post across their own social media accounts to expand its reach.
Link to Guest Posts From Your Own Content
Reference your guest posts by linking to them from blog posts or other content on your own website.
Also Read: List of High DA & DR 120+ Free and Paid Guest Posting Sites
Tracking Performance and Results of Guest Posts
Consistently measure the success of your guest posting efforts:
Use Google Analytics and Search Console
Check acquisition traffic, clicks, impressions, rankings, and other key metrics tied to your guest posts.
Monitor Traffic, Backlinks Gained, Rankings
Use tools like SEMrush and Ahrefs to monitor backlinks gained, referral traffic, and keyword/ranking performance over time.
See How Content Performs Over Time
Analyze how traffic, engagement, leads, and visibility evolve in the weeks and months after publication.
Continuously Refine Strategy Based on Data
Let your guest posting data and insights drive decisions about outreach, formatting, topics, and promotion.
Optimizing Guest Posts for SEO
You can optimize guest posts to improve visibility and search rankings:
Include Target Keywords Naturally
Seamlessly incorporate relevant keywords within your post content to signal relevance.
Write SEO Optimized Titles and Meta Descriptions
Research keywords and craft compelling, clickable titles and meta descriptions optimized for search.
Use Header Tags and Bolding for Scannability
Break up walls of text with descriptive headers and judicious use of bolding for increased scannability.
Check Performance in Search Engine Results
See where your guest posts rank for target keywords and monitor their movement up or down over time.
Guest Posting Dos and Don’ts
Here are some key dos and don’ts to ensure your efforts are effective:
DO Provide Value Through High-Quality Content
Avoid overly promotional posts. Offer exceptional insights and value.
DO Thoroughly Research Websites Before Pitching
Vet sites for authority, engaged readers, and content relevance before reaching out.
DON’T Duplicate Content Across Guest Posts
Publishing duplicated or repurposed content across sites will negatively impact results.
DON’T Overload Posts With Links to Your Own Site
Avoid cramming in excessive links pointing to your own content or site.
FAQs on Guest Posting in 2023
What are the primary advantages of engaging in guest posting?
The main benefits include increased brand awareness, establishing thought leadership, driving referral website traffic, improved SEO through backlinks, and relationship building.
How can I discover the most suitable websites to propose guest posts to?
Conduct research to identify reputable industry websites with engaged audiences and themes relevant to your expertise. Avoid spammy or low-value sites.
What elements contribute to a compelling guest post proposal?
A strong pitch showcases your idea, credentials, and why you’re a good fit. Personalize each pitch and follow submission guidelines closely.
What components should be present in a top-notch guest post?
Great guest posts provide value through exceptional insights, tips, and takeaways. Adhere to site guidelines and avoid excessive self-promotion.
What should be the frequency of my guest posting efforts?
Aim for at least 1-2 new quality guest post placements per month to balance value and over-optimization risks. But focus on quality over quantity.
What strategies are recommended for effectively marketing my guest contributions?
Promote guest posts through social media, engage with readers and publishers, ask sites to share your post, and reference guest posts from your own content.
How can I monitor the impact and outcomes of my guest posts?
Use Google Analytics, Search Console, backlink trackers, and other tools to monitor performance metrics like traffic, rankings, backlinks gained, and engagement.
Does guest posting retain its effectiveness in the year 2023?
Yes, high-value guest posting focused on educating readers remains an effective content marketing and SEO tactic as of 2023.
