You’ve sent twenty guest post pitches this week. Two editors rejected your ideas, and the rest haven’t replied. The problem probably isn’t how many emails you’re sending. You could be pitching the wrong websites, contacting the wrong people, or suggesting topics their readers don’t need.
We know this because we ran into the same problem at Intelligent Links. But after years of trial and error, we found a process that works. In this article, we’ll break down that exact process, so you know which sites to target, who to contact, and what to pitch them.
What Is White Hat Guest Blogging Outreach?
White hat guest blogging outreach is an ethical way to earn backlinks while following search engine guidelines. Instead of using manipulative tactics like buying links, you reach out to relevant websites and offer to write useful articles for their audiences. In return, you can earn backlinks when editors include relevant links to your website in the published content.
For example, if you run a cybersecurity company, you could contribute an article about protecting WordPress websites to a web development publication. Its readers get practical security advice, and you get a chance to introduce your expertise to a relevant audience.
Find Relevant Guest Post Opportunities
Before you start emailing editors, you need to find websites worth pitching. After all, publishing a guest post on a site unrelated to your industry won’t do much for your link-building efforts.
So where do you find these sites, and how do you tell the good ones from websites that publish just about anything? Let’s start with the search.
Search for Websites That Accept Guest Posts
Google is a good place to find guest post opportunities. You just need to know what to search for. For example, if you work in digital marketing, try searches like these:
- “write for us” digital marketing
- “guest post” SEO
- “contribute an article” marketing
- “guest author guidelines” SEO
These searches can uncover websites that openly invite contributions. You can also look for industry blogs and online publications that publish outside contributors. Not all of them run a formal guest posting programme with a dedicated submission page, but many still welcome a good pitch.
Another useful trick is to look at where your competitors have published guest posts. Search for their names alongside phrases like “guest post,” or check their backlink profile with an SEO tool.
We use Ahrefs. Just paste the competitor’s domain into its Site Explorer. Then open the Backlinks report and look for other websites that show up more than once as referring sites. Those are publications already open to guest contributors in your space, which makes them worth a pitch.
One thing to remember: a website doesn’t need a Write for Us page to accept guest posts. If you find a relevant publication that features outside contributors, it could still be worth approaching.
Evaluate Topical Relevance and Editorial Quality
Finding a website that accepts blog posts is one thing. Finding one that’s worth your time is another.
Start by looking at its content. Does it regularly publish articles related to your industry? Would its readers genuinely benefit from your expertise? If you’re promoting an SEO service, for example, a digital marketing publication makes a much better target than a general lifestyle blog.
Next, check whether its articles are well-researched, cite credible sources, and feature identifiable authors. These are signs that the site takes content quality seriously. Be cautious of sites filled with thin, unrelated articles stuffed with affiliate promotions or paid placements.
You can also check a site’s domain authority and estimated organic traffic using an SEO tool like Semrush. These metrics give you a quick idea of a site’s search visibility and backlink strength. But a high authority score doesn’t guarantee a good guest post opportunity. The site still needs to be relevant to your industry and publish quality content.
Finally, review the website’s outbound links. If its articles regularly link to relevant research, useful resources, and credible businesses, that’s encouraging. If you spot unrelated commercial links throughout its content, the site is probably selling placements to anyone willing to pay. That puts your backlink in bad company.
The goal is to find websites where your contribution makes sense for their readers. That gives an editor a genuine reason to consider your pitch, rather than another email asking for a backlink.
Find the Right Contact for Manual Outreach
You’ve found a promising website. Now you need to get your pitch in front of the right person.
Many publications have a contributor guidelines page or a dedicated contact page for guest post submissions. Check these first to see whether there’s a specific email address or submission form for pitches. Use that channel if one is available, and follow the instructions rather than sending your pitch to several people at once.
If the site doesn’t explain how to submit a guest post, look for its editor or content manager. You can often find their name on the editorial team page or in the bylines of articles covering your topic. If you can’t find their email address, search for their name on LinkedIn to see if you can contact them there.
Still can’t find a direct contact? Try the publication’s general contact email instead.
Also, you shouldn’t try to pitch directly to editors when a publication already has a submission process in place. That can backfire. In fact, when we asked editors about this, many said they ignore or delete pitches that don’t follow their listed guidelines. The best approach is to follow the process they’ve already given you.
Write a Guest Post Pitch Editors Want to Read
Now you’ve got the right person to contact, you need to give them a reason to open your email and consider your idea. A few simple tweaks to your pitch can help you stand out and show the editor why your guest post would be a good fit.
Pitch Relevant Topics That Fill Content Gaps
Before you suggest a topic, spend some time reading the website’s existing articles. Look for subjects the publication hasn’t covered, questions its current content leaves unanswered, or popular topics that could benefit from a fresh perspective.
Let’s say you’re pitching a digital marketing blog that has several articles about keyword research but nothing about finding content gaps across competing websites. You could propose a practical guide that walks readers through the process, with examples they can follow.
Your proposed topic should also fit the publication’s audience. An article about advanced technical SEO might suit a specialist marketing blog. But it probably won’t work for a website aimed at small business owners who are still learning the basics.
Once you’ve found a suitable topic, explain what the article will cover and who will benefit from it. You should also highlight what readers will gain that they can’t easily find in the site’s existing content. This gives the editor a clearer reason to consider your pitch.
Personalise Your Outreach and Demonstrate Your Expertise
Editors receive dozens, if not hundreds, of pitches every day. A generic one, copied and sent to fifty sites at once, usually ends up deleted without a second look.
So personalise each email you send. Mention an article you’ve read or a topic the website covers, then explain how your proposed contribution fits. A specific reference shows you’ve done your homework, while a generic compliment like “I love your amazing blog” doesn’t tell the editor much.
Don’t forget to introduce yourself either. Briefly highlight relevant professional experience or share a previous article that demonstrates you can write about the subject. You don’t need to list your entire career history. One useful writing sample is better than a long biography that distracts from your pitch.
Keep the email short, too. As we said, editors are busy, so put your proposed topic and its reader benefit near the top. Save the detailed outline for when the editor asks for it.
Here’s a template you can adapt to your own outreach:
Hi [Editor’s name],
I was reading your article on [specific subject] and noticed that your site also covers [related topic].
I’d like to pitch an article on [proposed title]. It would help your readers [specific benefit] by showing them [brief explanation of your angle].
I’ve written about [relevant subject] for [publication or website]. Here’s a sample of my work: [link].
Would this topic be a good fit for your editorial calendar?
Thanks,
[Your name]
Use this template as a starting point. Tweak it for each publication so your pitch reflects its content and audience.
And if you don’t receive a response, send a polite follow-up after three to five business days. Still no response? Send one final email about a week later, then move on rather than contacting them repeatedly through different channels.
Create Quality Content That Earns Editorial Approval
Getting the green light doesn’t mean you can start writing just yet. Before you begin, read the publication’s contributor guidelines carefully. Pay attention to:
- Word count
- Tone and writing style
- Formatting
- Sourcing requirements
- Image specifications
- Author bio instructions
And if the editor has given you a particular angle, stick to it rather than turning the article into a sales pitch for your business.
Think about the reader as well. Give them something they can learn from or put into practice. Include original examples, practical instructions, expert insights, or reliable data instead of simply summarising information already available online.
For instance, if you’re writing about improving website security, don’t simply repeat a list of common threats. Explain how a business owner can recognise a vulnerable plugin, what to check before updating it, and where to find trustworthy guidance.
Pay attention to your links, too. A link to a relevant resource on your website can help readers explore a subject in greater depth. Place it where it naturally supports the discussion, and use anchor text that accurately describes the destination. Don’t force an exact-match keyword into a sentence just to influence rankings.
And when you’re done writing, proofread the article before submitting it. Check your claims, verify your sources, remove unnecessary repetition, and make sure the piece follows the publisher’s requirements.
After you submit the draft, the editor might request revisions or remove a link that doesn’t meet their standards. That’s part of the editorial process. Your goal is to deliver an article the publication is happy to stand behind rather than to secure a backlink at any cost.
Avoid Black Hat Link Building and Spammy Backlinks
Not every website that accepts guest posts is worth your time. Some publish useful contributions from industry experts, while others exist mainly to sell backlinks. Knowing the difference helps you avoid link schemes that put your SEO efforts at risk.
Watch out for these black hat tactics:
- Sites That Sell Placements Openly: Steer clear of websites that guarantee backlinks in exchange for payment. Buying links to manipulate search rankings violates Google’s spam policies.
- Private Blog Networks (PBNs): These are groups of websites created mainly to manipulate search rankings by passing backlinks between them. They often have thin or repetitive content, little topical focus, and articles published mainly to accommodate links. You might also notice similar websites linking to one another.
- Manipulative Anchor Text: Using the same exact-match keyword in guest post backlinks repeatedly can make it look like you’re trying to manipulate search rankings. If Google flags these links as a violation of its spam policies, it can issue a manual action against your site. This can cause some pages to rank lower or disappear from search results.
- Spammy Backlinks: Avoid links from spam-filled websites, irrelevant pages, and blog comments posted solely to build backlinks. These links offer little SEO value and can make your backlink profile look unnatural.
As a rule of thumb, look at the website itself before pursuing a guest post opportunity. Does it reach your target audience and publish quality content under credible editorial standards? If so, contributing could be worthwhile. But if the main selling point is a backlink rather than reaching readers, look elsewhere.
Measure the Results of Your Guest Blogging Efforts
Once your guest post goes live, don’t simply move on to the next publisher. Check whether the placement is reaching the right people and contributing to your goals.
Start by recording the article URL, publication date, publisher, and any links pointing to your website. This gives you a record of your placements and makes it easier to check them later.
Next, look at referral traffic in Google Analytics 4. Are visitors arriving from the guest post? Do they explore other pages, sign up for your newsletter, or enquire about your services? These actions show whether your guest post is attracting relevant visitors who engage with your site, rather than just generating clicks.
You can also monitor your site’s organic visibility and keyword rankings in Google Search Console. Just don’t assume a ranking improvement came directly from one guest post. Other changes to your website, competitors, and search results can influence those figures.
Finally, compare the results across publishers. You might find that a smaller specialist publication sends more relevant visitors than a much larger website. Use those findings to refine your prospect list and focus your future pitches on opportunities that deliver genuine value.
Remember, a nofollow or sponsored link can still bring visitors to your site and introduce your business to a relevant audience. Don’t judge every placement solely by whether its link passes ranking credit.
Start Building Links the Right Way
As you can see, the number of emails or pitches you send isn’t the issue. Getting guest posts published takes research, thoughtful pitches, and content that gives editors a reason to say yes.
If you’d like help putting this into practice, Intelligent Links can handle publisher research, content, and outreach to build relevant, quality backlinks. Get in touch for a free consultation.
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