Guest Posting for Authors: Reach More Readers

Some might say blogging is a thing of the past, but guest posting for authors is still one of the most effective ways to build an audience. You’re reading a blog post right now. Is blogging really dead?

Writers love to write, and blogs, articles, and media pieces remain major ways people get their news, learn something new, or simply browse while sipping coffee in the morning.

As an author, have you ever thought to yourself, “I’m not a marketer”? You might be surprised to learn that, as a writer, you’re naturally positioned to be your best marketer. You wrote an entire manuscript to communicate a story to someone. Boom, you’re now a marketer.

Marketing mostly relies on storytelling — and you are already a master at that.

Let’s dive into how you can reach a wider readership through guest posting.

What Is Guest Blogging?

A guest blog post is an article you write for someone else’s platform. It’s that simple!

Guest posting for authors is an incredible strategy to tap into new audiences and establish credibility quickly. It allows you to leverage someone else’s existing audience, bringing in new readers and turning them into loyal fans. It’s a powerful way to expand your exposure and grow your author platform. Plus, a guest post is the perfect place to promote a reader magnet and grow your email list.

Since you enjoy creating content, what better way to share your expertise across more platforms than just your own?

Why Guest Posting for Authors Matters More Than Ever

With every guest post, you usually get a short author bio and a backlink. Use that backlink wisely! Direct readers either to a page where they can purchase your book or — ideally — sign up for your email list in exchange for a valuable freebie.

(We highly recommend offering a reader magnet to capture emails!)

By nurturing new subscribers, you build a loyal following who are likely to purchase future books too. After all, if they loved your article, they’d probably want to read more from you!

Tip: Make sure you have a strong, clickable blog title. Titles that start with a number or a negative often perform best, like:

• “10 Lessons Every Entrepreneur Should Learn Before Starting a Business”
• “Don’t Write Your Book Until You Do These 5 Things”

How to Write a Great Guest Post

• Deliver valuable, free information: Avoid being overly self-promotional. Your goal is to help the reader first. Save the sales pitch for later.
• Stay relevant to your own content: Write in the style of the blog you’re guest posting for, but ensure readers know what to expect from you.
• Offer a fresh take: Cover a new topic or offer a unique angle on a familiar one. Readers are drawn to originality!

The Hard Part: Pitching

Pitching your article is where many authors hesitate, but it’s easier than it seems.

First, research the blogs that match your niche and check their submission guidelines carefully. Follow their instructions exactly.

Here’s a simple pitch email you can use:

Hi [Name],

I have a finished article that is original, not posted anywhere else, and would be a perfect fit for [Website]. It is about [Premise].

Attached to this email is a document formatted to your submission guidelines.

Please let me know if you would be interested!

Best,
[Your Name]

SEO Optimization for Your Guest Posts

Your blog post should answer a specific question readers are likely to search for. Think about queries like “best air fryers”—people are looking for specific answers.

Create your post title and content around common search terms relevant to your genre or topic.

Examples:

• Business writers: “Writing for Business: 3 Mistakes I Made With My First Business (And How to Avoid Them)”
• Fiction writers: “How to Write a Novel Readers Will Love (and Want to Escape Into)”

To learn more about building a strong author platform, check out Reedsy’s guide for authors.

Blogging isn’t dead—it’s still one of the most effective ways to reach a wider audience. You have the skills. Now it’s time to use them to expand your readership!

We can’t wait to see what you create.