Hey there! 👋 If you are new to guest blogging, looking for ways to improve your guest posting game, or simply want to learn from the best, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we will share with you some insights and tips from successful bloggers who have mastered the art of guest posting.

So, what is guest posting? Guest posting is the practice of contributing content to other blogs or websites in exchange for a backlink, exposure, or networking opportunities. Guest posting can help you reach a wider audience, establish authority, and build valuable relationships with other bloggers in your niche.

But how do you ensure your guest posts are successful, accepted, and appreciated? Here are some guest posting dos and don’ts to keep in mind.

1. Do your research 🔍

Before you pitch or submit a guest post, make sure you research the blog or website you want to contribute to. Read their guidelines, understand their tone, style, and audience, and study their previous posts to get a sense of what they are looking for.

💡 Tip: Take notes, highlight keywords, and personalize your pitch or post to match the blog and its goals. Research can not only increase your chances of getting accepted but also help you provide valuable and relevant content.

Someone holding a magnifying glass, representing research.

2. Don’t be self-promotional 🤫

Guest posting is not an opportunity to promote yourself or your business blatantly. Instead, focus on providing value, insights, and solutions to the blog’s readers. Avoid overly self-promotional language, links, or calls to action that may come off as spammy or insincere.

💡 Tip: Focus on educating, storytelling, and engaging with the audience. Make your guest post a helpful and enjoyable experience for the readers, and they will naturally be interested in learning more about you and your brand.

A person holding a megaphone with a red cross on it, representing no self-promotion.

3. Do follow guidelines and rules 👨‍⚖️

Many blogs and websites have specific guidelines, rules, or formats for guest posting. Before submitting your post, make sure you follow these guidelines to the letter. This includes word count, formatting, images, links, and author bio.

💡 Tip: Remember that guest posting is an opportunity to showcase your professionalism, respect, and attention to details. Following the rules can also prevent your post from being rejected or edited heavily.

A sign with a finger pointing right and the word "guidelines" written on it, representing following guidelines.

4. Don’t plagiarize or duplicate content 📝

Plagiarism or duplicating content from other sources is a big no-no in guest posting and blogging in general. Always create original, high-quality content that adds value to the blog and its readers. Make sure to credit and link back to your sources if necessary, and never copy-paste content from your own blog or other blogs.

💡 Tip: Use plagiarism checkers, such as Grammarly, Copyscape, or Quetext, to ensure your content is unique, well-written, and error-free. Also, avoid syndicating the same post to multiple blogs, as it can hurt your SEO and reputation.

A person reading a book titled "Original content," representing avoiding plagiarism.

5. Do provide visuals and media 📷

Visuals, such as images, videos, infographics, or slides, can help enhance your guest post, make it more appealing and engaging, and provide context and examples. Make sure to choose high-quality visuals that match the topic and tone of the blog and cite or attribute them if necessary.

💡 Tip: Use tools like Canva, Piktochart, or Powtoon to create stunning visuals and media for your guest post, even if you are not a designer or videographer. Also, optimize your visuals for SEO by adding descriptive alt text, titles, and captions.

A laptop showing a blog post with images, representing multimedia content

6. Don’t forget to promote and engage 📣

After your guest post is published, don’t just forget about it and move on. Take the time to promote it on your social media, email list, or other channels, and engage with the blog’s readers and community. Respond to comments, offer extra insights and value, and build relationships with the blog’s owner and audience.

💡 Tip: Use social media automation tools, such as Hootsuite, Buffer, or SmarterQueue, to save time and effort in promoting your guest post. Also, consider becoming a regular contributor to the blog or website to build your authority and exposure.

A person holding a microphone and talking to a group of listeners, representing promotion and engagement.

That’s it! These are some guest posting dos and don’ts that can make your guest posting experience more successful, efficient, and valuable. Remember, guest posting is not a one-time deal but a long-term strategy for building your brand and reputation. So, be patient, persistent, and professional, and enjoy the journey.

A keyboard with a blog post and social media icons, representing guest posting success.