Expert Strategies for Successful Free and Paid Guest Post as a Freelancer and Blogger

Freelance writers want to write and make money through a paid guest post offer to satisfy their clients while bloggers want to write for other websites to get backlinks and increase their website traffic. Both have different intentions and target different audiences – websites. But why is getting a paid writing job difficult for writers and free or cheap guest blogging difficult for bloggers? Well, I am not here to answer why but to provide solutions no matter who you are.

Guest blogging is an effective way to expand your online presence, establish credibility, and drive traffic to your website. However, getting your guest blog posted on top sites can be a challenge. Thus, this article will discuss the best practices to increase your chances of getting your paid guest post published. From becoming an expert in your field to creating an effective pitch and valuing your network and relationships, we’ll cover essential strategies for successful guest blogging. Additionally, we will provide a comprehensive list of popular guest posting sites across various industries to help you maximize your guest blogging efforts.

Strategies to get guest blogging opportunities

This strategy is the same for bloggers and freelancers. Doing these right will increase your chance of getting the opportunity. Without further ado, let’s discuss what you must do to get an offer.

1. Set Yourself Apart as an Expert: To stand out from your competitors, it’s crucial to establish yourself as an expert in your field. By acquiring in-depth knowledge and expertise, you can create exclusive content that adds credibility and validation to your guest blogs. Additionally, provide unique insights, offer valuable information, and present your ideas in a compelling and authoritative manner.
2. Craft an Effective Pitch: Creating a personalized and tailored pitch is essential to grab the attention of site owners and editors. Research the target website and its audience to demonstrate credibility and knowledge in your pitch. Also, highlight your expertise, propose relevant topics, and showcase how your guest blog can provide value to their readers. Personalization and a clear understanding of the site’s content and audience will increase your chances of acceptance.
3. Value Your Network and Relationships: Rejections are common in the guest blogging process. However, even if a particular publication rejects your pitch, it’s important to maintain relationships and nurture your network. Building rapport with editors and site owners can increase the likelihood of acceptance for future guest posts. Thus, stay engaged with the community, offer support, and seize opportunities to contribute valuable content.

Additional Tips for Successful Guest Blogging

• Determine your goals: Clearly define your objectives and what you aim to achieve through guest blogging; to get a paid guest post or build backlinks?
• Find opportunities: Research and identify relevant websites that accept a paid guest post within your niche.
• Shortlist guest posting sites: Create a list of high-authority sites that align with your expertise and target audience.
• Get topic ideas: Brainstorm compelling and unique topics that resonate with the target site’s readership.
• Craft a compelling pitch: Tailor your pitch for each site, showcasing your expertise and offering value.
• Prepare your post: Once accepted, create a well-structured, informative, and engaging guest blog post.
• Follow up: Maintain communication with site owners and editors, following up on your pitch and submission.
• Track results: Monitor the performance of your guest blogs, analyzing metrics such as traffic, engagement, and conversions.

15 Guest Posting Sites Worth Exploring

Acquiring guest posting opportunities on the following curated list necessitates perseverance and dedication. Nevertheless, with a well-crafted approach and innovative ideas, you can certainly make it happen. Discover some of the top guest blogging sites worth considering:

1. Pepper Content: Pepper Content stands as one of the largest global content marketplaces, boasting a vast network of talented content creators. Recently, they have started welcoming pitches for high-quality guest posts. Topics encompass various areas such as content marketing, inbound marketing, social media marketing, content writing, graphic design, and more.
2. Copyblogger: As a premier source for online content marketing education, Copyblogger upholds a mission to present well-written, relevant, and practical articles on its platform. If you aspire to contribute to their site, you must demonstrate exceptional writing skills.
3. Social Media Examiner: Social Media Examiner maintains strict standards for guest posting, prioritizing well-researched and comprehensive content. Patience is required if you wish to contribute here, as you need to prove your writing capabilities and expertise.
4. CMO Australia: CMO Australia focuses on marketing insights and facilitates brilliant marketing campaigns in the digital realm. It serves as an excellent platform for guest posting, allowing you to connect with professionals in your niche, generate leads, and boost website traffic.
5. HubSpot: HubSpot provides software, services, and resources for digital marketing. Showcasing your marketing expertise through guest blogging on HubSpot can significantly benefit your reputation. It currently ranks among the top guest blogging sites.
6. Design Milk: Design Milk, dedicated to modern design, covers a range of topics including interior decorating, architecture, travel, fashion, and technology. If you possess expertise in art-related subjects, contributing to Design Milk can be highly rewarding.
7. Business Insider: Business Insider is a trusted resource sought by professionals across various industries for expert advice. However, before submitting a post, ensure you possess the qualifications necessary to offer expert-level insights.
8. Smashing Magazine: Smashing Magazine focuses on web development and design, inviting guest blog posts containing helpful ideas, tips, and techniques. It is widely recognized as one of the best platforms for guest blogging.
9. TechCrunch: While TechCrunch primarily concentrates on investment and finance, they do have regular guest contributors. Although they don’t actively seek guest posts, it can still be a great option for guest posting.
10. Inc.com: Inc.com specializes in practical advice, services, and tools for small businesses. Their platform offers insightful interviews, tips from industry experts, and helpful articles pertaining to online business.
11. PandaDoc: PandaDoc provides assistance with sales and document management. They are interested in articles related to automation, sales and marketing, and document management. If your niche aligns with theirs, consider submitting a guest post.
12. MarketingProfs: MarketingProfs caters specifically to marketing professionals. To succeed in this space, your guest post should include abundant insights and valuable content.
13. Medium: With a vast readership of over 120 million, Medium is an ideal platform for guest blogging, especially for technology and science-related subjects. From medical sciences to financial trends, Medium covers a wide range of topics.
14. ShoutMeLoud: ShoutMeLoud aids individuals in launching and monetizing their blogs, offering online marketing tips, money-making advice, and practical guidance for internet success.
15. Mashable: Mashable is an entertainment website covering diverse subjects such as tech, science, and culture. While they frequently welcome submissions from guest writers, familiarize yourself with their stringent guidelines before making a decision.

7 Unpopular guest blogging platforms to explore

1. ReadWrite: Focused on tech news and insights for entrepreneurs, ReadWrite covers categories such as artificial intelligence, smart cities, connected services, and startups. It provides advice on leveraging remote workforces to enhance business operations.
2. Inkwell Editorial: Inkwell Editorial supports freelance writers in building their careers by publishing articles on self-publishing, SEO, writing job opportunities, and more. They also provide valuable writing tips.
3. ShoutMeTech: ShoutMeTech is a popular technology blog with a global audience. Regular updates and helpful tech tips attract readers, making it a favorable platform for guest blogging.
4. Web Design Ledger: Web Design Ledger caters to web designers and developers, featuring interviews with professionals and articles covering UI, graphics, and web development tools. It serves as an excellent avenue to showcase your technical expertise.
5. Daily Blog Tips: Daily Blog Tips assists online businesses in building, growing, and safeguarding their ventures. Articles cover various topics, including online marketing, internet security, and general business advice.
6. Innovation Management: Innovation Management serves as a valuable resource for innovation news and best practices. Content is written by professionals working in the field, encompassing topics such as climate change, eco-friendly business, and sustainability.
7. Ignite Visibility: Ignite Visibility offers an array of digital marketing services, making it an ideal platform for guest posting if you possess expertise in the field.

10 Lucrative Paid Guest Post Opportunities for Freelancers

We’ve compiled a list of ten reputable platforms that not only offer monetary compensation but also provide a chance to connect with diverse audiences. Whether you possess expert knowledge in finance, parenting, knitting, data analysis, or pop culture, these platforms offer a range of niches to explore. Get ready to enhance your writing career, beat plagiarism checks, and optimize your content for search engines with our tips and guidelines.

1. Elite Personal Finance: Captivate Millennials with Your Financial Expertise Are you well-versed in finance, credit, home loans, or investing? Elite Personal Finance provides a platform to share your knowledge with millennials. Impress the editors by pitching original ideas within their accepted topics and including an eye-catching image or artwork. With payments of $100 per assignment, and guidelines ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 words, this opportunity is worth exploring.
2. Freelance Mom: Empower Moms (and Dads) in Balancing Work and Family Freelance Mom seeks guest posts that delve into the delicate balance of parenting, freelancing, and running a business. Share your personal story while offering actionable advice in 900 to 1,500 words. Enhance your chances of acceptance by including a 30-minute action plan or pitch a how-to or lessons-learned post related to freelancing. Payments range from $75 to $100 per guest post.
3. Knitty: Knitting Enthusiasts Unite! Knitters rejoice! Knitty is a niche blog eagerly awaiting guest post submissions on knitting-related topics such as patterns, design, fiber materials, techniques, and innovations. Earn between $120 and $200 for tutorials that teach new skills or share original patterns. Stand out by including captivating photos with your pitch, and consider exploring KnittySpin for handspun knitting enthusiasts.
4. List Verse: Fascinate Readers with Curious List Posts Ever been captivated by a list post online? List Verse offers an opportunity for writers to create engaging lists on intriguing topics. Pitch a completed list post containing at least 10 pieces of information and earn $100 per published post. The more unique and offbeat, the higher the chance of acceptance.
5. Make a Living Writing: Empower Fellow Freelancers to Succeed Share your expertise in the business and craft of freelance writing on Make a Living Writing. Pitch guest post ideas that provide actionable advice for writers looking to enhance their careers, acquire new clients, or maximize their income. With payments ranging from $75 to $100, aim for 1,000-plus words that inspire and educate. Supporting screenshots, social proof, or relevant videos will increase your chances of acceptance.
6. The Penny Hoarder Help Readers Thrive Financially: The Penny Hoarder, a widely-read personal finance blog, seeks writers who can offer fun and unique ideas for earning or saving money. Share your personal experiences, strategies, and detailed advice to assist readers in their financial journeys. Payments start at $75 per guest post, with guidelines suggesting 700 to 900 words.
7. Priceonomics: Unveil Fascinating Data-Driven Insights If you possess a knack for data analysis and have a curious mind, Priceonomics invites you to explore intriguing topics backed by numbers. Pitch one of the nine-story ideas provided on their guidelines page, offering a brief bio and linking to your popular online publications. Compensation ranges from $250 to $1,000 per assignment, and guidelines vary accordingly.
8. Pxleyes: Teach Graphic Design Techniques and Skills Are you proficient in graphic design software? Pxleyes welcomes step-by-step tutorials on tasks or projects utilizing graphic-design software such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Fireworks, InDesign, or GIMP. Earn $200 per tutorial by sharing your expertise and guiding readers through creative processes. Review existing tutorials for inspiration before pitching your original idea for this paid guest post opportunity.
9. Refinery 29: Unleash Your Pop Culture Insights Refinery 29 is the ideal platform to share your thoughts on fashion trends, shopping, make-up, career moves, relationships, and more. Research their editorial preferences and pitch ideas that align with their audience’s interests. Compensation starts at $75 per assignment, with guidelines tailored to specific topics and assignments.
10. Yummy Mummy Club: Empower Moms and Moms-to-Be Yummy Mummy Club offers an avenue to share your wisdom, experiences, and advice for soon-to-be moms and moms raising children. Submit your idea for this paid guest post idea based on their editorial calendar, ensuring it resonates with their target audience. Compensation for published posts is $100 per assignment, with guidelines provided on a case-by-case basis.

Aside from these ten, you can also write content and get paid if you think you are funny by getting comedy writing jobs. Additionally, if you are mostly indoors, you can get paid guest posts on websites that accept writers to work from home.

Conclusion

Boost your writing career by exploring these diverse paid guest post opportunities. Familiarize yourself with the platforms, their target audience, and their preferred content style. Additionally, craft compelling pitches, adhering to word count guidelines, and offering actionable advice where relevant. Remember, originality, captivating images, and thorough research can significantly improve your chances of acceptance. Start earning while engaging readers with your unique insights and expertise.