How to Use Guest Blogging for Natural Link Building Guest blogging is an SEO and content marketing technique that can help you reach a new audience, create natural backlinks, and improve your online visibility.
Guest blogging is an SEO and content marketing technique that can help you reach a new audience, create natural backlinks, and improve your online visibility.
Provided you create high-quality blog content that adds value, you’ll also be helping another business in your niche and be ranked more highly by Google.
However, natural link building isn’t simply a case of submitting blog posts to a random selection of websites and crossing your fingers. You need to develop a strategy, craft your guest post carefully and ensure you stay engaged.
Here’s how to do just that.
If you want to get maximum return on your time investment, always choose quality over quantity. Don’t aim to pitch to 100 random sites in the hope that at least one will give you the thumbs up. Instead, narrow things down to find a website with an audience closest to your own.
Look for websites that are in a similar niche to you. Readers are more likely to find your post interesting and need your services.
Check out the website performance. There’s no point in spending your time crafting an epic, engaging guest post if you’re just speaking into the void. Look into the numbers and check whether the site has a domain authority of over 50, more than 10,000 social media followers, and has engaged, long-term readers.
Ask if you will get a featured bio. Make sure you will be getting a byline, headshot and a backlink at the very least.
Next, you’ll need to create a pitch that the editors of the website simply can’t ignore. In order to do so, you’ll need to do your research and make sure you’re representing your credentials effectively.
Check which topics get the most attention, whether the website misses any key topics and offer to write on something that will offer value to the website and the audience.
Writing the guest blog post often feels like the trickiest part, but it doesn’t need to be if you’ve done your homework.
Start by creating a barebones outline of the message you want to share with the audience, adding any personal anecdotes or facts that you want to include. If you’re struggling with this part, don’t fret. Write just a sentence or two and then start to build upon this, adding more details as you go.
For example, let’s say you want to write a blog post on becoming a digital nomad. You might write:
“It’s easier than you think. Take it slowly. Consider finances, work, coronavirus, accommodation, what to do with your stuff.”
Once you have a few thoughts written down, the blank page will feel less scary, and you’ll find that your ideas start to flow. If you’re still struggling, you could consider hiring a freelance ghostwriter.
Your guest post must be flawless if you want it to be published.
Before you send your guest post to the website, edit it thoroughly and proofread it several times. Consider whether you can improve your choice of vocabulary, use better verbs, and remove any redundancies in your writing.
If you find any words or sentences that don’t work, just get rid of them, and make sure your text is split into short sentences and paragraphs. Many websites will choose their own images, but if not, find something engaging that brings your blog to life.
What do you want the audience to do after they’ve read your guest blog post? Do you want them to follow you on social media or visit your website? Sign up for your newsletter or buy your latest product?
Make sure you tell them exactly what to do in the bio section and add a link. Don’t skip this bit!
6. Reply to comments
After your guest blog post has been published, make sure you check the comments on the post itself and the website’s social media accounts.
If anyone asks a question or leaves a comment, make sure you engage with them and leave a reply. This will show that you care about your topic and the audience, grow your brand reputation, and help your business to grow.
Conclusion
By guest blogging for other websites in your niche, you can get backlinks to your site and start growing your traffic and reputation. This can lead to more sales, better Google ranking and a stronger business set up for growth. Who will you pitch to first?
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