
If you have been considering the world of affiliate marketing for any time at all then the word backlinks should at least be somewhat familiar to you.
You may have also heard about what is guest blogging for SEO and its power for your success.
The problem is that there are so many people spamming the world of guest blogging that it is hard to find the forest for the trees.
Today, I would like to provide you with a super simple way of bridging the gap making the entire process super simple.
Clearing Up Terminology First
For purposes of clarification and to make sure we are all on the same page I’d like to clear up a couple of industry jargon words before I delve into today’s topic.
Defining Backlinks
Backlinks happen when one property points to the information of another property be it internal or external to the first property.
Of course, that explanation can get much more detailed but for the purposes of this blog it is not necessary. Instead, let’s turn to an example.
In a previous post, I wrote a Wealthy Affiliate review article. If I were to reference that article from this one with a hyperlink I would have created an internal backlink from one page of my website to the other. That would look like this: Wealthy Affiliate review.
If that review happened to be on another site and I linked to it, then it would be considered an external backlink.
Defining Guest Blogging
You are likely on my blog reading this content right now. At least I hope that is the case.
I offer the ability for people to submit their blogs to my site.
Upon approval, I will post their article while providing them a backlink from my site. (That would be an external backlink).
There are tons of blogs that offer this availability to people because they are hoping to secure high quality content that they can share with their readers.
Unfortunately, what they end up receiving instead, far too often, is spam.
So, while this strategy is a good one for all parties involved, the misuse of it is causing Webmasters to lose favor with the process.
That’s Where My Secret Takes Off
With all the spam, out there in guest blogging how can you possibly hope to catch the attention of blog sites that you would be interested in writing content for?
You could send them an eMail requesting to be a guest blogger for them but that is the exact type of eMail that the spammers are sending out. You are not distinguishing yourself from them in any way and thus will decrease your chances of being taken seriously.
Look at these following steps and see if they don’t make all the difference in the world in your own opinion. I very much would welcome your feedback about this concept in the comments below.
STEP 1: It’s in A Comment
Comment?
What comment?
Your wanting to be a Guest Blogger, so who’s making the comment?
You are.
Wait! What? I’m confused.
Let me explain.
You have identified a blog that you want to do guest blogging for. Which is easier? To comment on one of their posts with less than 100 words or write a guest blog and send it to them which can be more than 1000 words.
If you’re like most, and me too, the comment wins.
But there is power in that comment. Especially if you do it right, which I will speak about in a moment.
If the moderate of that blog takes 6 months to approve your comment, if at all. Then what does that tell you about the possibility of getting your guest post published with them?
Of course, you do how to do your part when it comes to placing the comment. I know, it is just a few words, but what you write or don’t write within those words can make all the difference.
Creating Comments That Get Approved
Before you write your comment, it is highly advisable to read their post. I know, annoying, right?
Look, your wanting them to see you as something more than spam. Shouldn’t you treat their property accordingly?
The other advantage to reading their content first is that you are clearly able to see if their style of writing fits yours. If it doesn’t, then that might be reason to move on elsewhere with this strategy for you.
However, let’s say you read the post and loved it.
Now you’re ready to comment.
So, you write “I loved your post” and consider your mission accomplished.
Actually, you’ve done nothing other than join the spammers.
Instead, pick out something you connected with in the post and talk about it in your comment. Ask a targeted question that shows you took the time to think about what they wrote.
Asking questions is powerful. It gives you a clear window into how interactive the moderator of the site you are investigating is or is not.
If they approve your comment without answering your question they aren’t paying attention.
If they answer your question within the approval process, then you know you are right where you want to be with building this relationship.
Besides, if you are leaving a high-quality comment that asks them a direct question about something related to the article content, what moderator in their right mind isn’t going to at the very least approve your comment. This in and of itself becomes a backlink for you if you have entered your website into the corresponding details section.
STEP 2: Making the Offer
Awesome!
I have an approved comment that they even gave a great answer to and now I can offer my services as a Guest Blogger. This is so cool, but wait… that is only a 2-step process and you said something about it being 3 steps.
I’m confused again.
Your right.
Before reading what, I read in another blog, just today, I would have recommended conceptually following this 2-step process.
What I read today, changed everything almost instantly.
The offer you want to make them involves an interview of them that you will post on your site.
Interview?
First comments, now interview?
Have you lost track? This topic is supposed to be about guest blogging.
Correct. Stick with me here.
You are going to offer to have them speak to your audience about what they do. The best place to do this is within your next comment.
Your building a relationship here.
So, my niche is affiliate marketing for beginners. I’ve identified a blog that I believe fits with my audience. While engaging yet another comment you again leave a question. However, today’s question would be targeted on the interview request.
It could look something like this?
EXAMPLE
Never considered the power of backlinking from my own site before. What a fantastic idea. My target audience is beginning their pursuit of becoming Affiliate Marketers and will find this content extremely helpful. I was wondering if you would be interested in being interviewed as it relates to why backlinks are so important for affiliate marketing or something similar of your own choosing?
The above comment obviously won’t work in most situations but the concepts within it certainly will if properly integrated.
So Now What Do You Have
Before answering, confusion, think about what is happening.
The blog you want to do guest blogging for now has 2 high quality comments and an offer from you. However, your offer is significantly different from all the spam guest bloggers out there.
You have set yourself apart from the rest in a very dynamic way.
Should they accept the interview, you also have some rocking content to share with your audience.
And its video, which means you can post it to YouTube if you like.
Once posted, you can backlink it to your site and you have created an external backlink from YouTube.
What do you think Google will think about that? Remember, Google owns YouTube.
After the interview, be sure it is posted as quickly as possible and write an article about what you learned.
Tapping into Engagement Power
Once you have that post completed it is time to let the one that was interviewed know. A simple eMail will take care of that.
This could look something like the following:
/// – START
Hi Bob
Thanks for your time in the importance of backlinks for affiliate marketing. I learned a lot of great stuff and took the time to write about it here: (Offer Link)
I also posted it on my YouTube channel here: (Offer Link)
Please let me know if you see anything that needs to be adjusted in any way.
Guy
PS: Would you be open in my becoming a Guest Blogger for you?
\\\ – END 30
Will they be interested in reading this eMail?
Of course, it’s 99% about them.
They might even share it with their own audience because you have gone over and above their wildest expectations in this process.
However, did you catch it?
Everything you have been working for is in that single sentence that followed your name. You know, the part where the PS is at.
But think of it.
They know you now.
They know your style.
They know your writing.
They know your ability to keep schedules.
If everything went well, and I hope it did, why wouldn’t they be interested in you being a Guest Blogger. You have them eating out of your hand because of the way you chose to treat the entire process.
Beyond Guest Blogging Confinement
In fact, you have even more potential possibilities ahead especially if you keep doing commenting and guest blogging for their site.
When opportunities open for other possibilities, who do you think they are going to turn to?
Certainly, not their spam folder of wasted time. There is nothing there for them.
They will turn to you.
Because they trust you.
They value you.
They respect you.
And the whole process took place because of the way that you chose to build the relationship.
Closing Thoughts About Guest Blogging Opportunities
Being a Guest Blogger on a site that has a ton of traffic can be a huge success for your advancements online, especially if you are just getting things started.
You are not yet available in organic search for whatever affiliate programs you are targeting.
You don’t have a huge mailing list to send affiliate marketing offers to.
And your affiliate marketing budget doesn’t have room to consider PPC (pay per click) strategies currently.
However, by following the strategy above you can have a ton of traffic coming to your site as a result and it can happen very quickly without breaking the bank.
It is that simple.
It does take work, and plenty of it.
But what you put forth today will reap results for years to come if you do it right.
If you like what I’ve shared here today, please share it with your social audiences as well as leaving a comment below asking related questions and/or giving tips that I haven’t thought of. I do appreciate hearing from you and wish you the very best as you pursue your affiliate marketing career.
Guy Siverson
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You are absolutely right Guy! Guest blogging really is a great way to create your website more exposure and authority. Many websites do not allow backlinks though and Google is actually putting less and less weight on them in their ranking.
I would like to point out though that too many people concentrate on guest blogging before their own websites are ready and traffic generated is without any sense as the readers will simply not stay on a site without good quality content! So my advice is to have at least 30 quality articles on your own site before starting with guest blogging guests 🙂
I absolutely agree that you need meat on your own table before you invite someone else over for dinner. Personally, I don’t believe that it is the guest blogging that Google is attempting to combat but rather the misuse thereof. That’s why if your only backlinks happen to be from guest blogs that are less than 500 words long then there is a red flag for Google to find. However, within your guest blogs if you are providing the same level of value that you gave to your own Website then the matter is completely different.
Whatever the case, starting with comments and building momentum into the other areas saves everyone time, gives everyone value and is an extremely reader friendly approach to building power from backlinks.
Hey Guy,
Fantastic article with some very creative and “outside-the-box” thinking on one of my favorite topics “Guest Blogging (/posting)”. Some of the elements you pointed out here have vaulted one of my websites from total obscurity to a very respectful domain authority and I’m constantly approached (daily) about other website owners wanting to guest blog on my site. I’m now even in the position to begin charging $$$ for guest blogging articles IF I decide to go that route. YES, it’s THAT powerful !!!
Cheers mate!
Pj
How long did it take for you to realize that domain authority once you applied the principals? Understanding how quickly things can happen within the world of online marketing is something all new affiliate marketers would be interested in finding out more details about.
Hey Guy,
I love this article. It is totally spot on! I started one of my blogs in 2010 and since then, I have been blessed by over 2 million unique visitors! People keep asking me how I got so much organic traffic. Although at the time I didn’t really think of what I was doing as a marketing or traffic strategy, it worked just the same.
I found people who had sites, blogs or businesses that were connected to the topics covered on my blog and I reached out to them. I have guest blogged on hundreds of sites, interviewed at least 10 experts, and also ended up being interviewed as an expert during numerous virtual summits as a result of the connections I made.
Each time I offered something of value, which got easier and easier as my blog traffic increased (more people wanted to participate because my ranking rubbed off on them). Thanks again for sharing such valuable info!
Joy Nelson
Hello Joy
That is awesome to here and I am super excited for your success. If one applies themselves to blogging it doesn’t matter where they live or how many degrees they don’t have, they can succeed in powerful ways that directly affect their economy. I believe those who are persistent and stick to a daily plan are the one’s that come out on top even in more competitive niches like the one I’m in. Be of value and become the brand. This is what is of critical importance in-order to realize success. Way to go and keep it up.
Thank you and so true! I look forward to reading your next article! – Joy
Hope so – we are going to touch on Twitter in the next one. I learned a ton of stuff from writing today’s article and am very much looking forward to sharing it both with you and the rest of the world.