Link Building Using Guest Posts and Directories. Link building can be an extremely effective and useful method of increasing SEO, yet can be tricky to execute manually. Guest posting is one of the best methods to build links, as it allows you to reach out to a larger audience and get valuable backlinks.
1. Reach out to industry influencers
Guest blogging can be an excellent way to expose your content to new audiences while simultaneously building relationships. To maximize the process and maximize results, it is important to do extensive research before reaching out to influencers.
Beginning by searching blogs that accept guest posts in your niche, create a list of potential prospects and begin reaching out! Be sure to send a personalized email with an attention-grabbing subject line; perhaps mentioning one of their blog posts as context could add another layer.
Your next tip should include including internal and external links as well as a bio box with your website address, helping with SEO and building authority. Incorporating nofollow tags will prevent Google from penalizing you for spammy links on your bio box.
Once your guest post has gone live, be sure to monitor it closely for comments and social shares. You can also get more opportunities by responding to reader comments. To track traffic from guest posts using OptinMonster Referrer Detection feature within Google Analytics dashboard is also available.
2. Find relevant blogs
Successful blogs, and the companies that support them, are interested in what their audience cares most about. They understand that audience challenges, frustrations and needs drive traffic; additionally they know their readers don't want information delivered via blog posts - rather they want something actionable that helps solve real world issues.
When searching for websites where you can pitch guest posts, SEO guest post find those that are relevant to your audience. Tools like Ahrefs’ free backlink checker can help you find high-quality websites with relevant audiences, depending on how established your brand has become. Once found, analyze the content to determine what topics are popular on these platforms.
By using tools such as Oktopus and Digg, it's possible to gain insight into what types of content have proven successful in the past. Remember that all writing must be grammatically accurate and provide value to readers. Otherwise, it is best to avoid guest posting.
Another consideration is to ensure the website on which you're writing allows you to link out to both internal and external content pieces for more in-depth reader knowledge, but only include them if contextually appropriate.
3. Offer something in return
Guest posting on other websites will allow you to get your content in front of their audience while also receiving a link back to your website. A quality backlink will boost your search engine rankings, and direct targeted traffic to your website. Be careful when selecting websites to submit content to.
Include links or embed videos that will engage your readers. You should encourage them to share the post on social media or leave a comment. This will help build trust between author/reader and create future opportunities. It would also be wise to include links back to contact pages or other relevant pages that provide more details about your company or products/services offered.
If you cannot secure a guest blog on a popular site, you can reach out to friends who have blogs or websites that are in your niche. Offer them something in exchange for a guest blog; for example, free products or services in exchange for their backlink.
4. Reach out to blog's audience
Guest posting can be an effective way to grow your audience and expand your reach as a writer, yet before getting started it's vitally important that you research the audience of the blog where you're posting so your content resonates with readers. Be mindful of any posts which appear overly promotional as these may not resonate with readers as effectively.
A blog's acceptance of do-follow or non-follow links is also important. Do-follow links are more beneficial for SEO efforts. If unsure, Semrush tools can help provide answers.
When searching for guest blogging opportunities, be wary of spammy websites. These websites will publish your article in exchange for a fee. This is against Google's guidelines on quality and could harm your search engine rankings. Reputation X does not use such sites in its reputation management services and advises others not to either.
Once you've identified a blog that accepts guest posts, reach out to its editor with your proposal and present yourself as an author bio writer. Include your name, website URL, and email address. You may also need a headshot.