The Power of Guest Posting for Writers

Lately I’ve been blogging more for readers, but today is all about writers and the benefit of guest posting.

We all hear it – you must maintain a solid online presence! One strategy that can help us as writers to reach new audiences and build authority in our niche is guest posting.

By contributing content to other blogs within our niche, we get to share our expertise and interact with other audiences. In this blog post, I’ll explore the benefits of guest posting and why it should be a part of your content marketing strategy.

**This page contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Guest posting increases your reach and visibility

One of the top benefits of guest posting is the opportunity to tap into a new audience. When we contribute to a blog with an established readership, we’re exposing our ideas, expertise, and brand to a wider pool of potential followers. This is especially valuable if the blog you’re guest posting on has an audience that aligns with your target demographic. For writers, this is probably their readership.

By posting on blogs within our niche, we help readers discover our website and social media profiles. These new visitors may not have encountered our content otherwise, and our guest posting acts to build a relationship with them.

Builds authority and credibility

In any industry, credibility is vital. When we write for reputable blogs within our niche, we position ourselves as an authority. Readers will associate us with the expertise and thought leadership of the blog we’re posting on, which helps to increase trust in our brand.

Having readers trust our brand or our writing style can lead to us being recognized as experts in our field, further elevating our professional reputation. If we consistently contribute high-quality, well-researched content, we’ll gain recognition and respect from both readers and other industry professionals.

Improves SEO and drives traffic

**My confession – I have tried to wrap my mind around SEO, but it still seems like a mystery.

However, I know that SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is an essential part of digital marketing. Guest posting can directly benefit our SEO efforts. Most blogs allow us to include a backlink to our websites within our guest posts or author bios. These backlinks serve as a signal to search engines that our content is valuable and relevant, improving our website’s search engine ranking.

As more blogs link to our sites, we not only drive traffic directly from those blogs but also increase our site’s domain authority (DA) over time, which can lead to better visibility in search results. The more high-quality backlinks we have, the stronger our SEO profile will become.

Jeff Goins says, “According to my friend, Mike the Search Engine Guru, when it comes to SEO, guest posting on other sites is five times as valuable as creating new content on your own site.”

Guest posting builds relationships within our niche

Writing is a solitary endeavor, as we all know. Guest posting is a great way to network with other bloggers, writers, and industry leaders. By collaborating with others in our niche, we can form lasting relationships that may lead to future opportunities, such as teaching at conferences, co-writing novels or novellas, or even partnering on other content projects.

What is a niche? For authors, a “niche” is a specific area of expertise or a particular genre or subgenre within the broader field of writing where they specialize and can stand out. Just an FYI – niche can be pronounced niche, niche, or niche. Just kidding. Hear different acceptable pronunciations here: Merriam-Webster.

As we establish rapport with other writers, we’ll open doors to even more exposure, collaboration, and growth. I see guest posting as one of the best ways to interact with other writers!

Helps gain valuable feedback and insight

Writing for other blogs gives us an opportunity to gain valuable feedback and insights from readers outside our usual audience. These readers may have different perspectives and may provide comments that challenge or broaden our thinking.

By engaging with our audience through guest posts, we can refine our content, discover what resonates most with our target audience, and adjust our writing strategies accordingly.

3 of my guest posts:

• The Pros & Cons of Joining Critique Groups for Writers
• The Sandwich Generation
• Book Signing 101

Increases social media engagement

When you guest post on a popular blog, you’re likely to see a boost in your social media engagement. Readers who enjoy your content may share it on their own social media profiles, leading to more exposure and potentially more followers for you. This exposure can be especially valuable if your guest post is published on a platform that has a strong social media presence.

Additionally, engaging with readers through social media can help foster a stronger relationship with your audience, allowing you to connect with them on a more personal level and grow your online community.

Guest posting helps establish a diverse content portfolio

Guest posting allows you to diversify your content and demonstrate a broader range of expertise. By contributing to different blogs, you can explore various angles of your niche, expand on topics you haven’t covered on your own blog, and reach different types of readers. This diversity can help position you as a versatile and well-rounded authority in your field.

According to Neil Patel, “Guest blogging on reputable sites is a great way to leverage the success of blogs that are already popular in your industry.”

In conclusion

Guest posting is a powerful, effective, and mutually beneficial content marketing strategy. It helps increase your reach, improve your SEO, build relationships with other industry leaders – AKA other writers – and establish yourself as an authority in your niche.

Whether you’re looking to grow your audience, boost traffic to your website, or diversify your content strategy, guest posting is an investment that pays off in both the short and long term.

So, why wait? Start identifying blogs in your niche that align with your brand values, pitch your ideas, and begin reaping the many benefits of guest posting. Happy writing!

Read The Art of Judging Book Covers, and then follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram, and subscribe to my newsletter to keep up with news about my book and any special offers! Be sure you grab your FREE 10-step checklist to plan your novel when you subscribe!

Hi, I’m Jen! I’ve been married for over 39 years, have 5 amazing kids and 3 adorable grandkids. I homeschooled our three youngest children, and I used to blog about homeschooling. I also taught Oral Communication as an adjunct instructor for over 5 years.

Jen Dodrill Writes is born of a passion of mine – to write a novel! My first cozy mystery – Birds Alive! – released Feb. 27, 2024! And book #2 in the series – Where’s the Quetzal? – released Feb. 25, 2025!

When I’m not working, you’ll find me writing, spending time with my family, or curled up on the couch reading and drinking a mug of dark roast coffee. (Don’t forget to check out my mug shop – JDMugs!)