A guest post pitch is essentially an email or message you send to a website’s editor or owner to propose writing an article for their site. It’s your chance to introduce yourself, showcase your expertise, and suggest a topic that adds value to their audience. Effective pitches are concise, personalized, and demonstrate why you’re a good fit. Key elements include a catchy subject line, a warm introduction, relevant credentials, specific topic ideas, and a clear call to action. Avoid generic templates—always customize them to the recipient.
Based on best practices from various sources, here are some proven pitch templates. I’ve selected a variety from different styles to suit various scenarios, such as cold outreach, collaborative proposals, and follow-ups. Replace placeholders like {{first_name}} or {Topic} with specific details.
Template 1: Simple Expertise Showcase (Cold Pitch)
This template emphasizes your credentials and recent work to build credibility quickly.
Subject Line: Idea for a Guest Post on {{Topic}}
Body: Hi {{first_name}},
I’m [[your name]] from [[your company]]. I saw that you’d published a couple of guest posts from industry experts in the [[target niche]] over the past 12 months. Are you still accepting guest posts?
In the last 12 months, I’ve written numerous articles for authority sites in our industry. Here’s a quick snapshot of the type of content I’ve written for your reference:
[[Article 1 | Serch For order: https://www.businesstomark.com/guest-post/]]
[[Article 2 | Search Ranking]]
[[Article 3 | Search Ranking]]
Hopefully, you can see that I only write thoroughly researched content. The content has a habit of ranking well in the search results too 🙂
I’d love to share a couple of ideas for a guest post that I think would rank well on Google.
Hope to hear from you soon.
[[your name]]
Template 2: Fan Appreciation with Exclusive Idea
This one starts with genuine praise to build rapport and pitches an exclusive idea.
Subject Line: A Blog Post Just for {Website Name}
Body: I know the word ‘fan’ gets used way too loosely (the other day, someone said they were a fan of the color beige(??!!??)), but I mean it when I say I’m a fan of the brilliant blog you run at {Website Name}. Your article on {blog title} is by far the most comprehensive resource on {topic}, and I’ve got it bookmarked for every time I’m figuring {problem} out.
I finally have a post idea that (hopefully) meets the insanely high content standards you’ve set and continue to maintain. It’s a deep-dive/exploratory guide on {suggested topic}, a topic that will resonate with your audience of {target audience profession}. It comes complete with an infographic, so, (deep breath), I’d like to pitch it as an exclusive guest post for your blog.
Let me know if you’re in (please say yes), and we can get the ball rolling.
Best, {Signature}.
Template 3: Collaborative Partnership Offer
Ideal for proposing mutual benefits, like cross-promotion.
Subject Line: A {Your Company} x {Website} Blog Collab Your Audience Will Love
Body: {Blog Name}’s been churning out great content, and I’m in awe! I saw this piece on {paraphrased blog title} last month, and then another one on {}, and they’re both so clever with the use of {specific part/feature}.
At {Your Company}, we’ve had more than our fair share of run-ins with {} and have unique workarounds to offer to anyone facing the same issue. Content ideas like these would tie in well with these posts:
{Idea 1} {Idea 2} {Idea 3}
What do you think? Meanwhile, here are a few of our guest blogs for your reference.
{cloaked link 1} {cloaked link 2} {cloaked link 3}
Hope to hear from you soon.
Template 4: Detailed Outline with Personal Story
This template includes a full outline to show the post’s structure and your background.
Subject Line: Guest Post Idea: The 5 Writing Rules I Broke to Get Unstuck
Body: Dear [Editor’s Name],
Sometimes to get unstuck, you just have to move, even if it is in the wrong direction. This is the heart of a piece I would like to write for the [Blog Name] blog, The 5 Writing Rules I Broke to Get Unstuck.
The 5 Writing Rules I Broke to Get Unstuck:
- Never write for the content mills. -The content mill was my internship. -Not lucrative, but does provide experience in meeting deadlines and meeting the needs of a client. -Also is a good introduction to SEO and why content matters online.
- Steer clear of Craigslist. -Great clients can be posting anywhere. In my case, it was a retired business owner coming out of retirement to start a new business whose ad I answered on Craigslist. He is still a client today.
- Have a specialty or niche. -While having a niche is ideal, you can’t become an expert in a day. -Sharing your journey is valuable. -The more you explore, the more unique your perspective, and the more connections you can make between your subject and the rest of the world.
- Ask permission. -If there isn’t a clear-cut answer, go for it. -It was unclear whether or not I could market my writing as “handmade” on Etsy. But, I went for it and landed several awesome clients.
- Don’t copy. -The best formulas always work, and you don’t necessarily have to reinvent the wheel to write a great piece.
Five years ago, I was an administrative assistant with an English degree. I dreamed of breaking free and getting paid to write. Now, I am a content marketer and copywriter for a software company, with a few freelance gigs on the side. I blog at [Your Blog], and have even had a blog post featured on LinkedIn. I would love to share my experience with the [Blog Name] community.
[Editor’s Name], would The 5 Writing Rules I Broke to Get Unstuck be of interest to you?
Sincerely, [Your Name]
P.S. I love the [Blog Name] blog. Thanks so much for being an amazing resource!
Template 5: Credential-Heavy Query for Specialized Topics
Use this when highlighting unique qualifications or connections.
Subject Line: Guest Post Pitch: Multiple Personality Querying
Body: Hi, I’m [Your Name] of [Your Site/Company]. I’m also author of the newly released [Your Book/Product], from [Publisher].
My writing experience encompasses many guest blog posts, but also magazines like Writer’s Digest, The Writer, TURF, Landscape Management, VOYA, American Careers, and more.
Some of my best work, however, goes out to my readers in the [Your Newsletter/Site]. The four newsletters go to 43,000 readers each week and [Your Site] has been chosen by Writer’s Digest for its 101 Best Websites for Writers for the past 11 years.
I’ve read you for some time, and know [Mutual Connection] well. Both you ladies do marvelous work.
After watching you from afar, I’d love to proffer a guest post for your blog.
Title: Multiple Personality Querying
When pitching magazine editors, the need to nail story premise, hook and match to the publication’s readership are a given. Many writers, however, use a cookie cutter bio once they’ve pitched the story when the bio could actually nail the contract.
One of my examples involves my landing a gig with Landscape Management magazine just by virtue I’d personally installed a new lawn. The editor was more intrigued with my take on landscape companies than my experience, especially since the query letter was already well written.
Another instance involves American Careers Magazine, where the editor’s interest piqued at the fact I’d been an HR director before I’d delved into freelancing.
TURF magazine’s editor was drawn to my degree in agronomy.
Fact is, I pitched each case with a different bio, a different pyramid presentation of my history, experiences, and education, matching each need with my talent that worked best in selling my ability.
This 500-word piece would introduce your readers to the critical need to choreograph a bio as well as the opening pitch for the story itself.
I look forward to hearing from you.
[Your Name] [Your Title], [Your Site]
Template 6: Follow-Up After Initial Contact
This is for when you’ve had prior interaction or need to refine an idea.
Subject Line: Follow-Up on Guest Post Idea for [Blog Name]
Body: Hi [Editor’s Name] —
Sure thing! Here’s my idea below:
Headline: How to Turn Your Blog into a Client Generation Machine
Outline: Having a blog should be the most important marketing strategy every freelance writer should consider, because if done rightly it can be a great source of quality clients. In fact, recent data from Hubspot has proven that blogging is actually more effective than Superbowl ads for lead generation. The reality, however, is that just putting out an “hire me page” won’t make much of a difference, especially if you have a budding blog. The idea of this article is to share a few unique tactics to get clients to hire you.
Here are the points I’ll consider:
- Scare People Off with Your Hire Me Page: I recently put up an hire me page for my blog in an attempt to get better clients, and the results have been disappointing; I get like 5 – 7 requests a week from people who want to hire me, but are only willing to pay peanuts. I decided to edit my hire me page, with a PS telling people not to hire me if they’re unwilling to spend, or if they have low budget. The result has been 1 – 2 clients in a week, but that are ready to pay well for their services.
- Publish Tutorials and Posts with Your Experience: My ultimate guide to guest blogging is very effective at sending guest blogging clients my way, and that’s because it’s like…the ultimate…on the subject. It gets around 10 – 20 links every month, it is being referenced everywhere, and it ranks #3 for the term “guest blogging”. It’s an authority on the subject, and that authority passes on to me; when people enjoy my information on guest blogging, the next thing they think of is hiring me, and my info is there.
- Publish Regular Case Studies to Show Your Expertise: I run regular case studies on how I use guest blogging for my business, and it is often very practical and realistic. In return, it has been a good source of clients to me. Case studies show my familiarity with what I do, the fact that I get results from it, while convincing people to use my services.
- Focus on SEO Traffic: The majority of my clients find me by searching for keywords in Google, and this is understandable considering the fact that around 50% of my traffic is from the search engines.
Kindly let me know if you love the idea, and I’ll write up the post on it!
Best Regards, [Your Name]
Template 7: Statistic-Led Problem-Solver
Start with data to hook the reader on a timely issue.
Subject Line: Guest Post Idea: Link Building Basics for Marketers
Body: Hi {{first_name}},
I hope you’re well.
Did you know that 41% of marketers say that link building is the hardest part of their job? Research from Social Media Today suggests that this critical part of SEO is one that professionals struggle with most.
I’d like to write an article covering the basics of link building – the types of links available, why backlinks are most important and share some of my best tips on how to achieve them. As a marketing professional, I’ve spent the past ten years specializing in the backlinking process and have plenty of tips and tricks of the trade to share.
Please let me know if this is of interest or send more information or answer any questions. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes, [[your name]]
Tips for Using These Templates
- Personalize Extensively: Research the site and reference specific articles to show you’ve done your homework.
- Keep It Short: Aim for 150-300 words; editors are busy.
- Follow Up Politely: If no response in 1-2 weeks, send a gentle reminder.
- Track Your Pitches: Use a spreadsheet to note sent dates, responses, and outcomes.
- Avoid Spam: Only pitch sites that accept guests (check their “write for us” page).
These templates have high success rates when adapted properly. Experiment and refine based on what works for your niche.