Guest posting is a versatile SEO tactic that can be used in various ways to fulfill different objectives. It is crucial for bloggers and content creators to navigate the digital space to understand the nuances of different types of guest posts.
All types of guest posts have a specific purpose and contribute to the abundance of information on the internet, ranging from informative case studies to practical how-tos. This blog explores the topic of guest posting by reviewing the seven types. It lays forth a strategy for successful audience involvement and content cooperation.
Whether you’re a seasoned blogger or new to content development, these guest post ideas will provide you with the skills you need to strategically increase your online presence.
What is Guest Posting?
Guest blogging, a common method in the digital world, is writing and publishing content on someone else’s website. Referral Rock reports that 60 percent of bloggers produce one to five monthly guest posts.
It is a joint venture between the hosting website and the guest writer. As compensation for their insightful contributions to the host’s platform, guest writers get exposed to a wider audience.
The guest writer’s readership grows through this win-win collaboration, while the hosting website gains access to fresh, diverse perspectives. Guest posting is a systematic approach to building authority, fostering relationships, and promoting community involvement, as well as obtaining backlinks.
It is a flexible tool in the content marketing toolkit that helps people share their expertise, interact with new audiences, and contribute to the ever-expanding body of information on the internet.
Here are four instances where businesses made significant impacts by employing guest blogging techniques:
- Through guest blogging, the Help Scout Blog attracted more than 36,000 new email subscribers.
- Jeff Goins achieved a subscriber list growth from 0 to 10,000 within the first 18 months solely by guest blogging.
- Utilizing a guest blogging strategy, BufferApp successfully gained over 100,000 new customers.
- Within the initial two days of publishing a guest post on Okdork, Brian Harris attracted 1782 new visitors to his website.
Benefits of Guest Posting
Guest blogging is a highly beneficial SEO approach that offers several advantages. The primary benefits that guest posting can offer website owners are outlined in the following section.
- Growth of Your Network
Getting in touch with prominent bloggers and influencers a few years ago was challenging. However, with the advent of technology, the process has gotten simpler. Websites that welcome guest contributions develop a vibrant community of authors interested in certain topics.
- Allows You to Create Natural, High-quality Backlinks
Creating quality backlinks to your website is one of the excellent benefits of guest posting.
You can get much-coveted backlinks to your website from other websites by tactfully inserting links to your content in guest posts you create for other websites.
To create natural, high-quality backlinks for their website, brands and corporations still use guest blogging on relevant, high-quality websites.
In addition to obtaining extremely valuable backlinks, you can increase your website’s exposure and authority online by carefully placing links to your content in guest blog posts on other websites.
- Guest Posts Help with SEO
The benefits of content marketing for SEO are undeniable. A blog is one of the finest strategies to rank well for a wide range of keywords.
What possible SEO advantages may guest posting offer?
Not only can guest posts provide your audience with a diverse array of viewpoints, but they also supply search engines with a ton of new information to index.
- Displays a Robust Internet Presence
The foundation of contemporary digital marketing techniques is developing a strong online authority. Even if your target audience is highly engaged with your content, turning them into devoted members and customers is very hard if they don’t trust your company.
One way to demonstrate the legitimacy of your business is to write content for other reputable sites. With this successful digital marketing technique, you can persuade your target audience that your company is dependable and trustworthy. Every value proposition you present on your website will receive an open reaction as a result.
7 Kinds of Guest Posting
Understanding the various types of guest articles is one of the most crucial components of the guest blogging approach. In this section, we’ll review several different formats and how to utilize them to increase your online presence.
1. Expert Roundups
Attending a symposium of thinking leaders is analogous to taking part in an expert gathering. These meticulously put-together collections combine the subject-matter specialists’ knowledge to give users an in-depth manual.
Sean Si, the founder of SEO-Hacker, created an expert roundup that generated over 250 social shares and 5,000 unique pageviews within just 4 days.
You gain knowledge and position yourself as a leading authority in your subject by contributing your ideas. Expert roundups are not just one person’s contributions; they represent a knowledge foundation that the community as a whole can benefit.
A prime instance is the collaboration between Nike and basketball legend Michael Jordan. By partnering with Jordan and creating the iconic Air Jordan line, Nike not only gained access to his immense popularity but also showcased their commitment to quality and excellence.
The endorsement from a basketball icon amplified Nike’s credibility within the sports industry and solidified their position as a leader in athletic footwear.
The research stated above indicates that expert roundups are the most advantageous yet seldom type of guest posting.
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One prime example is a post created by Brian Liang about blog promotion. Liang asked 40 experts a simple yet impactful question: “What can bloggers and marketers do to be more effective when promoting their content?”
The question resonated with many, drawing responses from SEO experts, affiliate marketers, internet marketers, and business marketers. By involving experts from various niches, the post gained increased exposure.
The results speak for themselves. According to Ahrefs, the post garnered 342 backlinks from 95 referring domains and more than 4,000 social media shares. This demonstrates how expert roundups can generate significant traffic.
Another excellent example of an expert roundup is provided in the image above. In this roundup, SEO experts Matt Diggity, Charles Floate, and Ryan Stewart share their top link-building strategies.
2. Influencer Collaboration
Collaborating with thought leaders or other notable players in your industry to create guest posts will increase the amount of people who read your content.
Dove increased its network of influencers in 2022 in an effort to further the company’s inclusiveness and body positivity ideals. The personal care brand, which ran the successful campaigns #PassTheCrown, #DetoxYourFeed, #ReusableIsBeautiful, and Baby Dove #OneRealPressure, was honored with a Shorty Award for its micro-influencer strategy.
Together, these influencer marketing efforts on Dove’s social media channels surpassed all important KPIs and received over 1 billion impressions, demonstrating their extraordinary performance. Dove was able to surpass its 2022 targets thanks to a 20% increase in the engagement rate.
The influencer marketing sector experienced substantial growth in 2016, nearly doubling in size, as the graph indicated above shows. It is projected that in 2023, the market will be valued at $21.1 billion.
By interacting with the influencers’ followers, this tactic broadens your audience and gives your content more credibility.
A prime example is Nike’s “Dream Crazier” campaign, which sought to empower and inspire women in sports by challenging stereotypes and celebrating the achievements of female athletes.
Nike collaborated with renowned athletes like Serena Williams and Simone Biles, creating impactful video content, social media posts, and influencer-led events. These athletes shared their personal stories, reinforcing the campaign’s message of breaking barriers.
The campaign’s success was anchored in its authenticity, diverse representation, and active engagement. By highlighting real stories, Nike forged a genuine connection with its audience, and by featuring athletes from various sports, they achieved broad appeal.
This strategy of engaging with influencers’ followers expanded the campaign’s reach and bolstered its credibility.
In another striking instance of influencer collaboration, Subaru initiated the #MeetAnOwner campaign with the aim of cultivating a community of devoted and enthusiastic customers.
The brand collaborated with content creators such as YouTube influencer Devin Graham to produce engaging content highlighting the adventurous lifestyles of Subaru Impreza owners.
One notable video featured Graham and his friends utilizing a slip-and-slide to launch themselves off a cliff and parachute down, garnering an impressive 1.3 million views.
3. Local Guest Posting
Local guest posting is a fantastic strategy for businesses looking to engage with their community. You can establish a strong local online presence and attract new customers by contributing articles to local blogs or websites.
In addition to increasing your visibility, this tactic helps you win the respect and trust of the community. A feeling of community and loyalty is fostered by keeping readers informed about upcoming and ongoing activities and fostering strong relationships with both your business and the community.
For instance, a neighborhood bakery could share recipes or baking tips on a local food blog, attracting residents interested in homemade treats and building a sense of community around their brand. In addition to boosting visibility, this approach cultivates trust and respect within the community, fostering long-term relationships and customer loyalty.
4. Case Studies
An effective way to illustrate concepts, strategies, or goods in a realistic, real-world setting is to include case studies in guest posts. They are one of the seven types of guest blogging and work well for attracting readers and demonstrating the effectiveness of particular strategies.
As per the Content Marketing Institute, case studies were employed by 73% of the most successful content marketers. Nearly half of SaaS companies think case studies increase sales.
These studies concentrate on specific cases, shedding light on the challenges faced, the strategies employed, and the outcomes obtained. This type of guest post bridges the gap between theory and real-world application to educate readers. Case studies broaden the scope and complexity of guest blogging tactics by providing success stories.
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For example, OH Partners’ case study effectively uses visuals to communicate their work. Upon visiting the case study page, visitors are greeted with a heading and some text, but the majority of the case study is conveyed through examples of OH Partners’ actual work, including billboards, magazines, and videos.
This approach shows potential clients that working with OH Partners will ensure widespread visibility for their business. The case study concludes with a compelling summary of the firm’s achievements for its client, making a strong impression on website visitors.
5. How-to Guides
How-to articles are a mainstay among the seven various types of guest blogging. They give readers a detailed and organized approach to completing specific activities or goals. These handbooks are really helpful resources that break down complex processes into manageable stages.
Insightful analysis and practical, attainable advice from guest writers give readers a sense of competence and achievement. The audience can apply the newly acquired skills or achieve their objectives more easily, thanks to the practical knowledge offered in this guest post style.
For readers searching for enlightening advice and practical information, how-to guides offer a choice of guest post formats with more depth and give a more engaging and diverse read.
One example is “How To Write A Song: Songwriting Basics.” This post is divided into the five main sections of song creation, complete with imagery and examples to make it easier for beginners to understand.
The image above illustrates the steps in creating and publishing a how-to manual. These are some wise guidelines to consider while creating a guide that benefits your website and niche.
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Partnering with complementary businesses and services can add depth and perspective to your how-to guide. This example is comprehensive and packed with valuable resources from HubSpot and Brandfolder.
It also uses relevant data to highlight key sections. The takeaway is to look for creative ways to add value to your how-to guide, especially when writing about a topic your audience already knows.
6. Listicles
The captivating format of Listicles, which uses an orderly list and understandable language, effectively enthralls and educates readers. This layout makes it simple for users to comprehend and rapidly internalize key ideas and concepts.
Research indicates that lists align with the human tendency to categorize information, facilitating easier absorption. Breaking down tasks, goals, and information into manageable chunks enhances comprehension and aids memory retention. This segmentation allows individuals to better grasp and navigate various aspects, making them more accessible and comprehensible.
According to Backlinko, guest-blogged listicles get 218% more shares than “how-to” tutorials. Known for its adaptability, this kind lets guest writers showcase their individuality without compromising readability by addressing a wide range of subjects.
In matters of culinary exploration, the seasonal availability of ingredients undergoes monthly variations. Southern Living adeptly combines the essence of a cooking calendar with the format of a listicle in its compilation of soup recipes. This curated list showcases ingenious organization, presenting recipes categorized by month. Featuring a total of 12 recipes, this listicle ensures effortless comprehension and navigation for its audience.
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Buzzfeed exemplifies the successful use of listicles in book reviews. They craft lists of both recent releases and upcoming titles, providing release dates and summaries for each book. Additionally, these listicles include links for readers to order the books, enhancing the user experience and driving engagement.
7. Interviews
As a means of instruction for guest blogging, interviews are getting more and more popular. This gives readers immediate access to opinion leaders, business experts, and powerful individuals.
Interviews differ from the other seven types of guest blogging in that they provide an avenue to investigate alternative perspectives and gain expert insights. Incorporating reputable individuals within the content not only strengthens the guest posting strategy but also lends the approach greater validity.
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A prime example is the written interview with Ryan Biddulph on ProfitBlitz, showcasing the power of incorporating reputable individuals to bolster credibility.
Points to Remember While Guest Blogging
Let’s examine a few key considerations for guest posting that each SEO marketer should have in mind:
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Find a Website Within Your Niche
Before initiating the guest posting strategy, the first and foremost thing to do is to search for websites within your niche or sector. There is no point in writing for a website that has a different audience altogether.
One of the best ways to search for websites that are looking for guest contributors is to try various search terms. For example, if you are looking for a health and fitness-related website, you can search health & fitness-related articles + guest posts or fitness blogs + write for us.
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Build Real & Genuine Connections
The key to pursuing website owners for posting your blogs is working on building a healthy relationship with them. Try to get to know their website, audience, content tone, and writing style to deliver the finest content.
Networking will help you build authority, credibility, real relationships, and high-quality backlinks to your website.
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Write Headline That Converts
Once you have found the website to get your blogs published, the next step is to write an attractive and captivating headline to drive an audience.
Are you aware that out of 10 people, 8 will read the headline; however, out of 10, only 2 will read the entire article or blog? That’s why a headline is the main component of writing any piece of content, as it is the first impression you make on your customer.
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Use Easy-to-understand Language
When it comes to writing any type of content, it is better to avoid using technical terms that might not be easy to understand by everyone. On average, people avoid interacting with content that requires too much searching for the meaning of the word.
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Edit Your Content
One vital aspect that needs to be kept in mind by all writers is to always proofread their content before submitting it to any website owner. Submitting an unedited version of your article could end up being rejected.
Therefore, you should take a good amount of time thoroughly going through your writing and cross-checking for any facts or research. Verify whether there are any spelling or grammar issues. Make sure the introduction and conclusion of your content are compelling and well-structured.
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Insert Relevant Illustrations
A blog post or article’s level of engagement can be raised with the use of pictures, videos, infographics, and other visual aids. The study shows that visually appealing material is digested 60,000 times faster than text. Visuals greatly influence how people perceive, comprehend, interact, and retain information.
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Avoid Personal Branding
When composing a guest post, try to steer clear of promoting any of your products or services. The goal should be to create excellent articles or blog posts that are advantageous to the readership and the host website.
If your content is both fascinating and helpful, people will find their way to your website organically. It is also recommended not to insert too many links to your content, or it might get detected as spam.
The user experience should be considered while writing a guest article. Put simply, the content has to prioritize the needs of the audience rather than appearing to advertise goods or services.
Conclusion
Guest posting is one of the most beneficial SEO strategies every marketer should try. The type of guest post is not restricted to articles; there are other varieties, as explained in the blog, that you can employ in your digital marketing plan.
To get the intended outcomes while getting your guest pieces published, search for respectable and well-known websites in your niche or business. To prove your value, provide intriguing and original pitches to website owners.
Keep in mind that it is a continuous process. Writing excellent content on a regular basis and getting it posted on the appropriate website are both essential. From improving your SEO to developing a solid online presence, guest posting is the approach that can help you achieve all of these goals and more.