Backlinks remain one of the most important ranking factors for SEO in 2023. And among the various link building tactics, guest posting reigns supreme for securing authoritatively sites to backlink to your site.
But guest posting is not as simple as just pounding out a post and mass submitting it everywhere.
Done right, guest posting allows top digital marketing agencies in Charlotte, NC to consistently grab high-quality backlinks at scale.
This complete guide will cover start-to-finish guest posting strategies to land placements on reputable websites and amplify your search visibility.
Why Guest Posts Rule for Link Building?
Compared to other link building approaches, properly executed guest posts provide:
- Higher authority sites– Guest posting targets respected industry publications, reputable blogs and popular news outlets.
- Contextual relevance– You can create topically relevant posts tailored to each site.
- Diverse anchor text– Guest posts allow you to vary anchor text links instead of over-optimizing.
- Scalability– Once you have pitches and posts, you can reach out to hundreds of sites.
- Quality over quantity– Even one high-DR guest post outweighs multiple low-quality links.
Identifying Valuable Guest Posting Opportunities
Not all guest posts are created equal when it comes to SEO value. To identify sites worth pitching:
- Check domain authority– Use a tool like Ahrefs to confirm DA/PA scores of 50+.
- Assess site reputation– Target widely known and respected industry sites.
- Evaluate existing contributors– If top experts contribute, it’s a good indication.
- Review editorial guidelines– Target sites with clear guest posting guides.
- Monitor competitors– See where others in your niche guest post.
Crafting Pitches That Convert
With targets identified, put together customized pitches. Your outreach should include:
- A subject line with the site name and pitch purpose.
- A personalized greeting with the editor’s name.
- 1-2 sentences showing you understand the site/audience.
- Details on your expertise and credentials.
- Your proposed article topic and angle.
- Optional: Include (or link to) related articles you’ve published.
Keep your pitch short, tailored and persuasive. For cold outreach, start slowly to avoid overloading sites.
Writing Engaging, On-Brand Guest Posts
Once you’ve gotten a pitch accepted, it’s time to deliver a compelling guest post. Some tips:
- Review examples– Study the style and topics of popular posts on the site.
- Provide value– Offer actionable tips, fresh perspective or data-driven insights.
- Keep it tightly focused– Don’t ramble or get too self-promotional.
- Optimizing formatting– Break up sections with subheadings and lists when possible.
- Include visuals– Images, charts, videos etc. add engagement.
- Link wisely– Include 1-2 contextual internal links to relevant pages on your site.
Placing Targeted Anchor Text Links
One of the biggest SEO advantages of guest posting is controlling anchor text links back to your site. A few strategies:
- Limit to 1-2 links per post– Don’t force links or over-optimize.
- Vary anchor text– Use your brand, URL or general terms like “visit site” rather than overtly keyword-optimized links.
- Link early– Place one link in the intro paragraph to avoid looking spammy.
- Link images/charts– Turn images into links with descriptive alt text.
Promoting Your Guest Posts
Don’t let your hard work go to waste – be sure to promote your placements:
- Share posts on social media, LinkedIn and email newsletters.
- Repurpose guest posts as blog content on your own site.
- Consider a small paid social or PPC campaign to boost visibility.
- Link to the post from relevant website pages.
- Pitch additional sites in that niche to syndicate the post.
Tracking Performance and Iterating
Track guest post performance using UTM parameters or campaign tags. Assess:
- Traffic referred from each placement
- Links/mentions earned
- Conversions driven by subscribers, leads etc.
Use results to inform future guest posting efforts and continuously refine your approach.
Guest Posting: The Smart Marketer’s Link Earning Workhorse
Executed effectively at scale, guest blogging truly is an unmatched source of authoritative backlinks.
The keys are pinpointing the right opportunities, consistently reaching out, providing real value to audiences, and promoting your placements.
Now you have a comprehensive blueprint for guest posting success. It does take commitment, but the long-term SEO benefits are immense. Get out there and start landing those high-powered, brand-building guest post links!
