Standard Guest Post
A guest post is a type of content that you write for another website or blog, usually with the intention of reaching a new audience, building your authority, and getting a backlink to your own site. Guest posting can be a great way to grow your online presence, network with other bloggers, and drive traffic to your site.
But not all guest posts are created equal. There are some standards and best practices that you should follow to make sure your guest post is effective and well-received by the host site and its readers. In this post, I will explain what a standard guest post is and how to write one that stands out.
The Benefits of Guest Posting
Guest posting has many benefits for both you and the host site. Some of the main advantages are:
- Exposure: Guest posting allows you to reach a new and relevant audience that might not be aware of your site or your expertise. You can showcase your value and your personality, and attract new followers, subscribers, or customers.
- Authority: Guest posting helps you establish yourself as an authority in your niche or industry. By sharing your knowledge and insights, you can demonstrate your credibility and trustworthiness, and build your reputation as a thought leader.
- Backlinks: Guest posting gives you the opportunity to get a backlink to your site from a high-quality and relevant source. This can boost your SEO and your organic traffic, as well as your referral traffic from the host site.
- Relationships: Guest posting helps you build relationships with other bloggers and influencers in your niche or industry. You can network with them, learn from them, and collaborate with them on future projects.
The Elements of a Standard Guest Post
A standard guest post is not just any piece of content that you write for another site. It has some specific elements that make it suitable and effective for guest posting. These are:
- Relevance: A standard guest post is relevant to the host site’s niche, audience, and tone. It matches the style and format of the host site, and it provides value and information that the readers are interested in and can benefit from.
- Originality: A standard guest post is original and unique. It is not a duplicate or a spin-off of your existing content, or of someone else’s content. It offers a fresh and interesting perspective, and it adds something new to the conversation.
- Quality: A standard guest post is well-written and well-researched. It has a clear and catchy title, a compelling introduction, a logical and coherent structure, a strong conclusion, and a call to action. It uses proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, and formatting. It cites credible sources and provides evidence and examples to support the claims and arguments.
- Bio: A standard guest post includes a short and engaging bio of the author at the end of the post. The bio introduces the author’s name, credentials, and expertise, and it includes a link to the author’s site and social media profiles. The bio also invites the readers to follow the author, visit the author’s site, or sign up for the author’s newsletter or offer.
How to Write a Standard Guest Post
Writing a standard guest post is not difficult, but it does require some planning and preparation. Here are some steps that you can follow to write a standard guest post that gets accepted and published by the host site:
- Find a suitable host site: The first step is to find a host site that is relevant to your niche or industry, has a large and engaged audience, and accepts guest posts. You can use Google, social media, or online directories to search for potential host sites, or you can ask for recommendations from your network. You should also check the host site’s guidelines and requirements for guest posting, and make sure you can meet them.
- Pitch your idea: The next step is to pitch your idea to the host site. You should send a personalized and professional email to the host site’s editor or owner, and introduce yourself and your site. You should also propose a topic or a title for your guest post, and explain why it is relevant and valuable for the host site and its readers. You can also include a brief outline or a summary of your guest post, and some links to your previous work or samples of your writing.
- Write your guest post: Once your pitch is accepted, you can start writing your guest post. You should follow the host site’s guidelines and requirements, and use the elements of a standard guest post that I mentioned above. You should also proofread and edit your guest post, and make sure it is free of errors and plagiarism. You can use tools like Grammarly, Hemingway, or Copyscape to help you with this.
- Submit your guest post: The final step is to submit your guest post to the host site. You should send your guest post as an attachment or a Google Doc link, and include your bio and any images or links that you want to include in your guest post. You should also thank the host site for the opportunity, and ask for feedback or confirmation of publication.
- Promote your guest post: After your guest post is published, you should promote it on your own site and social media platforms, and encourage your audience to read and share it. You should also monitor and respond to the comments and questions that your guest post receives, and engage with the host site’s readers. This will help you build rapport and trust with them, and drive more traffic and leads to your site.
Conclusion
Guest posting is a powerful and effective way to grow your online presence, authority, and traffic. But to make the most of it, you need to write a standard guest post that is relevant, original, quality, and bio-included. By following the steps and tips that I shared in this post, you can write a standard guest post that gets accepted and published by the host site, and that attracts and impresses the host site’s readers. Happy guest posting!