Guest Posting Best Practices for Serious Writers [2022]

The most important guest posting best practice is pitching articles to sites that actually accept guest post submissions. While we encourage you to guest post, Copyblogger does not accept guest post submissions. These pointers are useful for any publication.

The first guest post I submitted was rejected by Copyblogger.

I am going to share that story today to shed some light on the delicate nature of writer-editor relationships. The lessons will help you plan your content marketing strategy.

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We should take it back to guest posting best practices in 2008.

When I began to develop my guest posting strategy, Copyblogger was at the top of my list.

I achieved my goal five years later.

How did I spend the time between May 2008 and May 2013 when my first post appeared on Copyblogger?

I practice my writing a lot.

I had high hopes of guest posting for Copyblogger during the early stages of my online writing and editing business, but it was my rejection that shaped my subsequent guest posting success.

It prepared me for being the Editor-in-Chief of Copyblogger.

Rejection is not failure.

I submitted a guest post to the Chief Content Officer of Copyblogger after reading it for two years.

Since I didn't have any connections who could make an introduction, I decided to write a brief and informative email with the completed post attached in a Microsoft Word document and an html version in a plain text file.

It was a long shot, but I thought my post was creative. The hyperlinks to other Copyblogger posts could be easily transferred to the theme. The way editors like posts made it publish-ready.

I used the site's contact form to follow up after not receiving a response for two weeks.

The editorial team at the HelpDesk would be in touch with me if they were interested in publishing my article.

The rejection helped my writing career grow more than if the post had been published.

What is happening is failure.

I didn't give up and I didn't email anyone at Copyblogger again.

I accepted that my post wasn't a good fit for the blog because I didn't lose confidence in my writing ability.

This is when I shifted my view to see the experience as an opportunity.

I didn't want to write for Copyblogger. There was more work to be done.

Why post a guest post?

My goal was to expand my writing portfolio and develop an online presence that would introduce potential clients to my service business.

After the rejection from Copyblogger, my next task was to find a better fit for the content I had written.

Who else could I contact? What audience would benefit from what I had to say?

My focus was on who could use the content I wanted to produce.

You will always find the best place to publish your post when this single factor drives your relationship-building and guest post outreach.

The secret to success as a guest.

Most high-quality sites don't need more of the same information that the regular writers give.

The sites look for articles that demonstrate expertise.

In other words, useful content is expressed through a unique writing voice.

Not unique.

The right balance is what guest posting success is about. The editorial standards on websites make unique writing only one part of the equation.

When you become a guest in their home, you need to adapt your presentation to fit their style.

Even though they weren't my first choice, I became excited about writing for other sites.

My first choice was a starting point.

5 critical guest posting.

If you have been writing content for your own site for a while, you may have a smart process for writing posts.

You can publish on a regular schedule if you have mastered the techniques.

You have entered new territory when you publish on a site you don't run.

Your guest post needs to look different from the posts you normally publish if you want it to be effective.

Five guest posting best practices can be incorporated into your content marketing strategy.

1. Think of an editor.

When an editor decides to run a guest post, she is vouching for the writer.

She may have objections to accepting your writing.

That has nothing to do with how much you talk in your email. Stay focused on the work.

2. Small talk should be limited.

Let your writing speak for itself.

It should display your value as a guest writer.

When contacting editors, professionalism and friendliness are important qualities, but they don't make up for subpar content.

3. Don't mimic.

Do you want to avoid submitting subpar content?

Instead of regurgitating traditional advice, practice creating new discussions about classic topics.

It takes a lot of time and dedication to improve your writing and editing skills.

4. Become a subject-matter expert.

If your guest post conveys information that could have been written by any content creator, the site you're pitching to will not likely appreciate it as a special article.

When an editor can only get content from you, you become a valuable resource.

If you are a subject-matter expert, you might be asked to write again.

5. Stand-alone articles can be produced.

The result is confusing, unfocused writing when hyperlinking to sources.

Write your guest post like a magazine article.

A reader will put a print article on her fridge with a magnet if she finds it compelling. She doesn't need to attach other articles to complete the text.

The pit of despair is the entitlement pit.

If you want to write for your own site all day, every day, you can, but there is no guarantee that one of your posts will be accepted for publication on someone else's site.

The content needs to be a match.

When you think like an editor, you begin to understand the experience of editing a multi-author blog, as suggested in tip number one above.

Rejected writers feel offended if you don't think like an editor.

When you don't trust an editor's decision and follow up aggressively, you damage your reputation.

There is a reason why you have never heard someone say something like that.

That person was out of line. I really want to do them a favor now.

If your topic has potential, editors may request a rewrite, but they should make that decision.

When you become your own content editor, you begin to notice when a post is a good fit for a site.

It is okay when it is not. The text can be found in the content library on your site.

Don't follow; study.

When you want to connect with an editor, research is your first priority. Do your homework.

You will most likely discover a lot of social media profiles during your exploration of a person or publication.

Don't hit the follow or connect buttons just yet.

What do you hope to achieve with the addition of hundreds or thousands of people? Will you pay attention to that editor's updates? Do you believe the "invitation to connect" will make him notice you?

You should aim for social media engagement that will help you get to know someone online and grow a relationship with them over time.

A communication exercise is guest posting.

It is a process and a practice.

Even if you follow all of the guest posting best practices, sometimes you will make mistakes and won't get the results you want.

Part of the process is recognizing mistakes, regrouping and pushing forward.

The communication exercise is more about finding an outlet that fits your current circumstances than it is about what you want.

There is always a form of success waiting for you.

The effectiveness of any post is always measured by the value it provides for others.

This is the place of serving. You will be able to find a variety of places to publish your writing when you do.

Your accomplishment is more than just publication. Communication experience and establishing working relationships can be priceless.

The practice is the point according to one of my yoga instructors.