What makes a guest post rise to the surface among loads of pages crowding the blogosphere? Here are some guidelines to create a link-worthy guest post and reach the top of SEO rankings.
Blog Title
Use frequently searched keywords as the first words of your blog title, so search engines can pick it up. Be sure that the title makes sense and has relevance to your topic. Take advantage of the power of first impressions that draw people to click, read and link to your article. Write a blog title that appeals to the interests of a wide range of audience. A provocative title will capture people’s attention instantly. A heading that focuses on the benefits of a product, service, or whatever you are promoting in your article is also a sure bet. A DIY (how to do it yourself) title also compels people to check out your blog.
Content and Style
Web browsers typically have brief attention spans lasting a few seconds. They scan the first few sentences and quickly leave your page if there’s nothing worthy in it for them. If you’re an expert on the subject, it’s easier to deliver a content-rich message in a compelling and persuasive style. Present your facts in a concise, straightforward but engaging manner. If your topic is technical, define the tech terms if necessary and use plain English as much as possible.
Apply these simple tips, and your guest post will improve its chances of being read and shared:
- Write about topics that you are knowledgeable and passionate about.
- Produce unique, quality content that is informative and current.
- Use clear, simple language that average people can understand.
- Use the keyword phrases naturally and selectively in your post.
- Include bullet points to emphasise salient items in the summary form.
Presentations
Apply media formats that suit your message and purpose. For example, a slideshow presentation may be appropriate for a blog on “10 Tips to Start a Home-Based Business”. An instructional guide on “How to Upgrade your XYZ laptop’s RAM” is best presented in a short video that shows the step-by-step process.
Find a suitable show-and-tell medium that teaches the audience the “what” or ”how” in the quickest way without overwhelming them. Avoid either extreme of boring plain text or information and visual overload.
Link-Friendly Hot-Topic Blog
Check if your blog is linkable in the most convenient way and promote it with the broadest reach. Make it easy for visitors to share your post by prominently displaying social media icons for easy click and link.
A blog topic that is trending fast and furious can quickly go viral. The cyber buzz will multiply at a tremendous pace if your guest blog is published on a website with thousands of FaceBook friends. A guest post on a blogger’s page with many Twitter followers will be tweeted and retweeted in no time.
Stretch the Market
Expand your target market by reaching out to related or affiliated industries. If you’re writing for the travel and tourism industry, interface with the plethora of business enterprises connected with it in one way or another. You won’t run out of contacts in the leisure, entertainment, sports and recreation establishments, for example. Explore all these touch points by offering to write guest posts on their websites and blog pages.
To recap, choose a blog topic in high demand, has great value, and offers a practical solution. Strategically publish your guest post on websites that have established credibility, with a huge base of subscribers and followers. Extend the possibilities by going beyond your narrow niche to other sectors. Keep updated with expert advice and experiment with various techniques to drive more traffic to the site and enhance your blog’s visibility.