I sympathize with the most popular bloggers, such as Chris Brogan at Copyblogger, and Darren Rowse at ProBlogger, who no doubt receive hundreds of requests to write guest posts on their sites that have nothing to do with the subjects they cover. It’s got to be difficult to find the gold nuggets amidst all the dross.
I am quite amazed myself — and I don’t count myself in their league — when I receive guest post requests that are totally off base. I received this today:
Hi Jeannette,
I came across writespeaksell.com/11-types-of-blogs-to-generate-web-traffic-and-please-your-readers and found it insightful during my research as a contributor to an online resource about important aspects of home security and safety. The website that I contribute for offers many tips in improving your home through better safety tips and provides inspiration for many things homeowners can do themselves including articles, a home security checklist, and a helpful blog. I think providing safety not only helps a household protect its belongings but also creates a sense of homeliness.
Please let me know if you’re the right person to get in touch about sharing my resource with your readers. Thanks, and I look forward to continuing the conversation with you.
Best,
I write about social media, employee engagement and branding. He writes about home security and safety. There is no link in his email to his website so that I can check out his writing style — or if he can write at all. No contact information included in the email. No ideas for topics. He says safety creates a sense of “homeliness.” The modern definition of homeliness is “ugly.” I believe he meant “homey.”
How to Pitch a Blogger
If you want to pitch a guest post to a blogger, here are a few simple guidelines:
- Research blogs that write about your areas of expertise. Don’t pitch your idea for a post about security to someone who writes about social media.
- Read through recent posts for style and topics. Use the search box to type in the title of a potential post you might pitch to see what’s been written before.
- Look for posting guidelines on the site you’re pitching. For example here is the link to ProBlogger’s guidelines which will give you a good idea of what most bloggers want.
- Finally, here is a post I wrote about the guidelines for Write Speak Sell.
Sorry to disappoint you, Mr. home security and safety. But I did do a search for other blogs in your field and you might try ADT. The company is a national leader in security services and no doubt its blog has thousands of readers. Good luck!
