What is a guest post? It's an article written by someone from outside a website and published on that website under the writer's own name, usually with a short author bio and a link back to the writer's site. The writer gets new readers, credibility and a link. The site gets a useful article and a fresh point of view. I publish guest posts on lilachbullock.com, so this is how guest posting works from the editor's side.
Guest posting is one of the oldest ways to reach a new audience online, and it still works when it's done for readers rather than for links. Here's what a guest post is, how the process runs, what each side gets, how it differs from a sponsored post and how to get your first one accepted.
What is a guest post, in plain terms?
A guest post is content you write for someone else's blog instead of your own. The host site's editor decides whether to publish it, edits it to fit their readers and puts your name on it. In return for the article, you usually get a byline, an author bio and a link to your website or a relevant page.
The term guest blogging means the same thing. Guest posting is just the practice of doing it regularly, across several sites.
How guest posting works
- Find a relevant site. Look for blogs your ideal readers already read, with a write for us or guest post guidelines page.
- Read the guidelines. Each site has its own rules on topics, length, links and whether to send a pitch or a draft.
- Pitch one idea. A short email with a working title, the points you'll cover and why you're the right person to write it.
- Write the article. Once the editor says yes, write it for their readers, not yours.
- Edits and publishing. The editor may ask for changes, then publishes the post with your byline and bio.
- Share it. Send the post to your own audience. Editors notice the writers who do.
What the writer gets from a guest post
- New readers who have never heard of you, on a site they already trust
- Credibility: being published by an established site is a signal people recognise
- A link to your site, which helps people find you and helps search engines understand who you are
- Being named in AI answers: AI assistants learn from published articles, so being quoted on relevant sites helps them connect you with your topic
What the host site gets
- A useful article on a topic it might not have covered
- A first hand perspective from someone who does the work
- A new audience when the writer shares the post
Guest post vs sponsored post
A guest post is editorial. The editor accepts it because it helps readers, and the writer's link is part of the byline or the body where it's relevant.
A sponsored post is arranged with the site owner as a placement for a brand, usually labelled as sponsored, and the brand has more say in the topic and the links. Both have their place. The mistake is pretending one is the other. I explain the difference in more depth in sponsored blog posts or guest posts.
Is guest posting still worth it?
Yes, when the site is real and relevant and the article is worth reading. It isn't worth it when the post lands on a site that exists only to publish links, where no one reads anything and search engines learn to ignore it.
Before you pitch, check that the site has recent posts, real readers and pages that are still indexed. My notes on quality guest posts go through the checks.
What makes a good guest post
- One clear problem and a clear answer to it
- Your own experience: an example, a result or a mistake you learned from
- Practical steps the reader can take today
- A link that helps the reader, not just you
- Written for the host site's readers, in a tone that fits the site
How to get your first guest post accepted
Start with sites in your own niche, pitch one specific idea at a time and show one piece of writing you're proud of. My guide to getting a guest post accepted covers the editor's checklist, and the free write for us finder lists sites that take guest posts in your niche.
If you want to write for my blog, the write for me guidelines explain what I publish and how to pitch.
Placing content for a brand or a client? That goes through a separate route from editorial guest posts: a sponsored article, a link added to an existing article or a tool placement in a roundup. Agencies can also see white label guest posts.
I've been publishing since the dial up days. I've spent 23 years in marketing, built, scaled and sold a digital marketing agency, and been listed by Forbes in the Top 20 Social Media Power Influencers. I've also reviewed and ranked more than three hundred tools, so I know what readers want to see before they try one.
Ready to start? Use my contact form, my write for me page or email [email protected] with your website, the page you want readers to reach and the topic you have in mind. You'll get a straight answer, usually within a working day.
Frequently asked questions
What is a guest post?
A guest post is an article written by someone from outside a website and published on that website under the writer's name, usually with an author bio and a link back to the writer's own site.
What is guest posting in SEO?
In SEO, guest posting means publishing articles on other relevant sites so your own site earns links and mentions. It helps when the sites are real and relevant, and it stops helping when the posts sit on sites built only to publish links.
Is a guest post the same as a sponsored post?
No. A guest post is editorial and accepted because it helps readers. A sponsored post is arranged with the site owner as a brand placement and is usually labelled as sponsored.
Do you get a link in a guest post?
Usually, yes. Most sites allow a link in the author bio, and many allow one relevant link in the body when it helps the reader.
How do I find sites that accept guest posts?
Search for your topic plus write for us or guest post guidelines, or use a free finder tool. Then check each site has recent posts and real readers before you pitch.
Can I write a guest post for lilachbullock.com?
Yes. Read the write for me guidelines, then send one specific idea through the contact form or to [email protected].