If you want to raise your profile as an expert, get more interest in your services and grab the attention of a new audience (one who wants to buy from you), you’re gonna LOVE what I’m sharing here…

I’ve got a simple idea for you, and it’s not about doing more…

Instead of relying on building your own reputation fan-by-fan (this is still important though, so don’t stop) you can add a shot of interest in a single swoop.

You do it by leveraging a trusted third-party that already has an army of fans.

One that has a fierce reputation and a community who hang on their every word.

By getting in front of these ready-made communities you can power-house your expertise status as quick as a flash.

AND, and, and… this strategy hinges on working smarter, not harder (one of my favourite mantras). Boom!

The answer, my friends, is Guest Blogging.

(That’s writing a blog article to be featured on a third party website.)

Before you wail and cry that “I’m not big enough, I’m not a known name, no one will be interested”

STOP.

The simple (and slightly secret) fact is that websites and blogs are always looking for new content to satisfy their readers. Some of the bigger sites post several articles a day, so why shouldn’t one of them be yours?

The benefits of guest posting are HUGE.

Your exposure can skyrocket.

Choose the publication carefully, match your article to suit their readers perfectly.

You’ll gain quality attention in your products and services in bulk. So you don’t need to rely on a drip-drip-drip of readers visiting your site from your own marketing efforts.

This is a strategy I used with one of my clients, life coach Natalie Bel Hill, with amazing results.

Natalie came to me to help build exposure for her new coaching business.

How we did it.

First we worked on her marketing foundations.

• How to communicate with her target market in a way that they understand
• Added spades of personality to her brand
• Made her website the hardest worker on her sales team, and;
• Made her blogging the perfect stage for attracting prospects

Next we went to work on getting her the exposure she was hungry for.

Enter guest blogging (cue Rocky music).

We found the perfect platform which matched her personality, expertise and whose audience were exactly who she wanted to work with.

Her article was published on Elite Daily and it went viral on Facebook. Look at the number of Likes and Shares!

At the time of writing this post it had amassed 5000 shares on the Elite site in just 2 months (3000 of those the day after publishing). Too good to be true? Check it our below.

I wager that you wouldn’t mind some of that for your business, no?

How YOU can do it.

It might seem daunting at first but it really doesn’t need to be, let’s break down what you need to do.

Where?
Which online publications do you think your ideal clients regularly read articles on? If you’re not sure, ask them. But if you know your client well, chances are you’ll already have the answer.

Write a hit list of 5-10 ideal third party websites where you would like to be featured.

Think BIG. Don’t be afraid to go for the publications that you think are too big – the worst that can happen is they’ll say no. Or ignore you (which doesn’t technically mean a no – more on that in a sec…).

The best outcome is that they can publish your article and you get thousands of hits. Nothing to lose!

Make like a sleuth.
Take a long look at their content (what a great assignment, you’re probably reading it anyway right?!) and check out the style they publish – is it lists, tips, shorter or longer, chatty professional etc.

Now decide what you could write which would fit in with their style and add value to their readers.

But first…

Before you put your heart and soul into writing for someone, check that the quality and size of the website and readership is right for you.

You can do this using Alexa.com. There is no point in posting a guest article on a blog that gets absolutely NO traffic whatsoever. That’s why thinking BIG is more likely to get a better outcome.

Next, find out how to submit your super valuable, readable post. look at the example below, right there on their front page.

Most of the bigger websites will have guidelines on how to submit. Some have helpful checklists of number of words and style guidelines.

Follow their submission guidelines exactly, you don’t want to f*ck it up at this stage just because you’ve forgotten to include a small but important detail in your post submission. *Facepalm*

If you can’t find submission guidelines on their website, that doesn’t mean they don’t accept contributions. The best way to find out is to check who is writing their articles! If they are authored by several people and include a bio, chances are they do and are worth approaching.

(note to approaching guest bloggers: I receive lots of contribution requests for my website but I am not accepting guest contributions right now so PLEASE don’t ask. Thank you!)

Drop them an email. Make it short n snappy. Always include:

• Friendly opening
• That you understand their audience / have respect for what they do
• That you’d love to contribute and why (make it a benefit to them – not you!)
• Some ideas you could contribute (1-3 blog topic ideas)
• Examples of previous writing (not necessary but good if you have it)

Do not miss this step!

So you followed the guidelines exactly, great! Now it is SUPER important to nail your bio.

Your objective from guest posting is to get new people to love you SO much that they want more. Make it easy for them by including ways to get it: a link to your website is ok, a link to your opt in or to subscribe to your list is EVEN BETTER.

You’ll usually have 2 or 3 lines to tell all these potential new readers who you are and what you do so make the most of it.

A bad example:
Jane Doe, Nutritional Coach.

A waaaay better example
www.nataliebelhill.com I coach clever people who know they need back up to deal with anxiety, depression + co dependent habits. People who want to find more focus in their lives.

See what comes first – Website. Boom, don’t even have to look for it.

I repeat: Don’t whatever you do forget to link back to your site, not only so people can find you but because it’s oh so important to those search rankings – and if Mr Google likes it, we like it.

So your post has been accepted – fist pump! Another added bonus is that most sites will promote your post on social media (and keep on doing so) making it all the more shareable, readable and likeable.

This is going to cause a ripple effect of more visitors to your site so make sure it’s ready for them!

It’s a golden opportunity to engage with new readers and build relationships. Make it easy for people to:

• comment on your blog (and make sure you reply)
• sign up for your news and tips
• find out what you do

and your one guest post will be working as hard a poss for you.

Don’t give up, follow up.

You might get knocked back, you may get ignored. They may make you wait for what feels like a lifetime. Or, that post you worked SOOOO hard on sees dust bunnies.

Don’t get disheartened – keep trying. If they say no – use the opportunity as a dialogue to find out what you can write to get published.

If they don’t like your first article, try another (and use the first for another site or on your own).

If you get no answer after your submission – follow up with an email.

Ok, now it’s your turn.

Pick a publication you’d LOVE to guest in – not just one you think would be ok, go big and choose the one you really want – find out how to submit and go for it! Let me know how you get on in the comments.