When writing your first outreach pitch, remember that good content helps to build strong relationships. In the end, success depends on the connections you create around your product and brand. Many marketers feel frustrated, saying bloggers ignore their pitches, don’t reply, or that blogger outreach doesn’t work anymore. But that’s not true. Big brands still use blogger outreach successfully. The secret is to improve your pitch and follow the right process. If bloggers aren’t replying to your emails, here are some simple tips to help you get better results.
Strengthen Your Blogger Outreach
Before proceeding – one important point you should understand. Make sure to avoid repeatedly sending the same communication hundreds of times or using different names. Below is one such communication we received multiple times from a marketer. The annoying part is that it is irrelevant and was also received from few other people from the same company. This will end up in marking your email as spam and directly send to junk without even reading.
1. Create a List of Bloggers
Start by making a list of bloggers who are part of your industry or niche. This is important to avoid sending irrelevant pitches. These bloggers should not be your direct competitors, and they should allow guest posts. To find out, search for their blog URL along with terms like “guest post” or “write for us” on Google. Check if they accept guest posts, and if they do, add them to your list. Aim to include as many bloggers as possible – the more, the better. Make sure the Domain Authority (DA) of each blog is at least 25. Ideally, your list should have at least 50 bloggers to reach out to.
Now that you have prepared the list of bloggers, it is time to engage with them.
2. Engage With Them
You can connect with bloggers by engaging through blog comments, tweeting or commenting on their posts on Twitter (X), or interacting on their Facebook profiles. This requires some research to identify the best ways to engage with them. Engagement can take many forms, so it’s helpful to use multiple methods. A popular approach among marketers is to create a list of experts, such as “Top 50 Bloggers in the Industry,” and publish it on your blog. Once the post is live, you can reach out to the featured bloggers, letting them know they’ve been included and encouraging them to share the post with their followers. Most will gladly agree to share it.
With this strategy, you’ll naturally start gaining some backlinks. If you’re unsure about its effectiveness, you can take it a step further by creating another post that features expert opinions from these bloggers. It’s a great way to build connections and kick things off, don’t you think?
3. A Favor for a Favor
Later, you can ask these bloggers if they’d be open to featuring a guest post on their website or linking back to your content. Since you’ve recently published a great post highlighting them, many will be happy to return the favor. This is a classic example of how mutual support works!
And, if you want to go a little more creative, then simply ask them to produce a piece in collaboration with you. We will discuss this one in more detail below.
4. Build Relationships Through Comments
If writing a blog post about these bloggers or featuring their expert opinions isn’t an option, focus on building a relationship with them through blog comments. Leave thoughtful, positive comments that add value and encourage them to respond. Avoid making comments that are overly promotional or negative, as these are likely to be ignored. Show genuine appreciation for their work when you comment.
Later, you can follow up with an email expressing your appreciation for their post and suggesting ways to contribute more to their content, such as writing a guest post if they’re open to it. Most bloggers will welcome this, as it adds value to their blog.
5. Write Pieces They Simply Can’t Be Rejected
When you get the chance to write for their websites, ensure you deliver an outstanding piece of content. Aim for a high standard that leaves no room for rejection due to quality concerns. Treat it as if you’re publishing on your own site – conduct thorough research, include visuals, charts, graphics, statistics, and tell a complete story.
Many bloggers are hesitant to trust external contributors because they often associate them with low-quality content that lacks value for their readers. While this might be true for poorly written posts, you, as a marketer looking to build long-term relationships, must go above and beyond to avoid such pitfalls. Focus on delivering real value to stand out.
6. Co-produce or Collaborate
Another effective way to increase your chances of getting a positive response in your outreach is by proposing a co-production or collaboration. This could be on any topic. For example, if you’re writing about a research report and another blogger in your niche has relevant experience, invite them to collaborate. The co-produced content could be an ebook available to both of you or a series of blog posts. This not only benefits both parties with shared recognition but also ensures that both names are included in the byline.
Summary
That’s it! These are some foolproof ways to improve your blogger outreach efforts. Try applying these tips, and feel free to reach out if you run into any issues. Keep in mind that it’s common for busy bloggers to not respond to your emails right away. They may be distracted or simply not interested in your pitch. In any case, keep your communication light and friendly, rather than feeling discouraged or upset about a lack of response.
