Would you like to see your writing published on the top blogs online? Today, I’ve got a tip on how to make that happen.
I’ve been on both sides of this fence. I’ve queried blogs and scored guest posts on Problogger, Copyblogger and others…and more recently, I’ve taken pitches from writers.
You see, a while back, I started paying $50 a post for guest posts. I posted my writers guidelines, which ask that guest posters pitch me a headline and outline for approval. Then I waited for the awesome posts to roll in.
I’m getting some great stuff. Being a paying market has definitely resulted in higher-quality guest posts, which was part of my intention. (The other part being just walking my talk about writers deserving to be paid.)
But there’s a catch.
I have to wade through a ton of email pitches that are just atrocious.
Today I thought I’d give you a peek in my email inbox to see some of the pitches I’ve gotten recently. Hoping these will help writers see what not to do.
I’m reproducing these without any corrections, word for word — just full names and company names omitted.
Hey there, I don’t know if your the right person for me to talk too but my name is Aubrey and I’m with (marketing firm). I’m contacting your site because I wanted to see if we can write a guest blog post for your websites blog. You can just email me back if this will work out for your website.
Hi,
My name is Becky and I would love the opportunity to write on makealivingwriting.com . I love to blog and prefer to do so on a variety of sites vs a single location. I just like the idea of reaching a wider range of readers through guest posting.
Please let me know if you ever entertain this type of thing. If you do, be sure to let me know your guidelines. I would love to hear more.
Thanks so much,
Becky
On Wed, Mar 7, 2012 at 10:19 AM, Carol Tice wrote:
Becky,
I am a paying market. $50 a post. Read my guidelines and then follow them —
https://makealivingwriting.com/why-i-pay-writers
I do not accept free guest posts and prewritten posts submitted will not be read.
— Carol
(And here’s what happens when I take the time to respond to this:)
Of course I would pay you $50. I love writing, thought your site was perfect and I just wanted to double check with you before I started putting the article together. I was thinking about making the guest post to be on the topic of writing of course, will give you a more specific outline once I get some free time on my hands. 350-800 words, include a do follow link along with 2 contextual links. Of course the links would be related to the overall guest post. Would it be alright with you if I sent a draft of the guest post to you for review?
Please let me know if you are interested or not.
Thanks so much, Becky
I really enjoy reading your blog, and I was wondering if you accept guest posts?
I can write on a number of subjects such as financial planning, budgets, proper use of credit cards, or anything you suggest.
I’ll write specifically to your readers, and I’ll link to your other posts too.Here are some examples of my work:
I’d love to chat with you when you’re available!Thanks, Teresa
I was just going through few sites and blogs yesterday and came across your site https://makealivingwriting.com too. I really liked the way you have presented your site. I was reading some of your content and really found them interesting and informative. So I was just wondering if I can also do something for your site.I shall further explain how I would like to contribute to your site. Actually I am a freelance content writer and I love writing articles as a hobby on topics related to Internet and Technology. What if I provide you with a unique article as a Guest Post absolutely FREE!! I am sure I will be able to contribute an article that will be informative for your readers and would certainly make a good read. Further, you can be assured that the article will be related to your website and will be appreciated by your readers.
It would be great if you can add a small BIO of mine at the end of the article with my related site’s links. I guarantee you that the article will be 100% copyscape protected and will be of around 500 words.
Please let me know if this sounds good to you, so that we can start working on your article. I shall be waiting for your response.
With Warm Regards, Sara
As you can see, I couldn’t make up stuff this sad.
It’s incredible how many people don’t bother to locate my guidelines, or to put together a pitch with a headline and outline.
There really is an art to writing a query. I recommend taking the time to learn it — can really pay off big.
Are you guest posting? Leave a comment and a link to where you’re appearing.
P.S. – Want to learn more about how to win at guest posts and skyrocket your traffic? Join the Freelance Writers Den, where we teach you how to do guest posting the right way, and earn a full-time living as a writer.