# Guest Post Pitch > Writes pitches for guest posting on target blogs with topic ideas, credentials summary, and follow-up templates. Use when you want to publish content on other websites for authority and backlinks. - Skill: `reaperinvest/guest-post-pitch` (Agent Skill) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add reaperinvest/guest-post-pitch` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/reaperinvest/guest-post-pitch/raw - Safety review: pending - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Coding & Dev Tools - Author: reaperinvest (https://skillmd.com/u/reaperinvest) - Updated: 2026-09-22 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/reaperinvest/guest-post-pitch --- # Guest Post Pitch ## When to Use This Skill Use this skill when you need to: - Write an email pitch to a blog editor requesting a guest post opportunity - Generate topic ideas tailored to a specific publication's audience - Create a credentials summary that establishes credibility quickly - Build a follow-up sequence for pitches that do not get a response **DO NOT** use this skill to write the actual guest post — this produces the pitch email and supporting materials only. --- ## Core Principle EDITORS CARE ABOUT THEIR READERS, NOT YOUR CREDENTIALS — PITCH A TOPIC THEIR AUDIENCE NEEDS AND PROVE YOU CAN DELIVER IT. --- ## Phase 1: Brief ### Required Inputs | Input | What to Ask | Default | |-------|------------|---------| | **Target publication** | "Which blog or website are you pitching?" | No default — must be provided | | **Your expertise** | "What qualifies you to write for this audience?" | No default — must be provided | | **Goal** | "What do you want from this guest post? Backlink, authority, traffic, leads?" | Backlink + authority | | **Published work** | "Share 2-3 links to your best published content." | None — will work without | | **Topics you can cover** | "What topics are you comfortable writing about?" | No default — must be provided | | **Bio / about** | "Share a 2-3 sentence bio." | Will draft from inputs | **GATE: Confirm brief before researching the target publication.** --- ## Phase 2: Outline ### Research the Target Publication Before writing the pitch, analyze: 1. **Recent posts** — what topics have they covered in the last 30 days? 2. **Content gaps** — what has NOT been covered that their audience would want? 3. **Tone and style** — formal, casual, data-driven, story-driven? 4. **Guest post guidelines** — do they have a submissions page? 5. **Editor name** — personalize the pitch ### Pitch Structure ``` 1. Subject line — short, specific, no hype 2. Opening — demonstrate familiarity with their publication 3. Topic pitch — 2-3 topic ideas with brief descriptions 4. Credentials — why you are qualified (2-3 sentences) 5. Published work — links to relevant samples 6. Close — clear ask and timeline ``` **GATE: Approve topic ideas before writing the full pitch.** --- ## Phase 3: Write ### Pitch Email Template ``` Subject: Guest post pitch: [Specific topic idea] Hi [Editor first name], [1-2 sentences showing you read their site — reference a specific recent post and what you liked about it.] I'd love to contribute a guest post for [Publication Name]. Here are three topic ideas I think your readers would find valuable: **1. [Topic Title]** [2-3 sentences: what the post covers, why it matters to their audience, what makes your angle unique.] **2. [Topic Title]** [2-3 sentences: description.] **3. [Topic Title]** [2-3 sentences: description.] **About me:** [2-3 sentences on your expertise and relevance to their audience.] **Published work:** - [Title] — [URL] - [Title] — [URL] I can deliver a polished draft within [timeframe]. Happy to adjust any of these topics to better fit your editorial calendar. Best, [Name] [Website URL] ``` ### Pitch Writing Rules | Rule | Detail | |------|--------| | **Length** | Under 250 words — editors skim, not read | | **Subject line** | "Guest post pitch: [specific topic]" — clear and professional | | **Personalization** | Reference a specific recent article from their site | | **Topic ideas** | 3 options — shows flexibility and preparation | | **Credentials** | Brief — 2-3 sentences max, focused on relevance not resume | | **Samples** | Include only if they exist. Never link to mediocre work. | | **Tone** | Professional, friendly, not desperate or salesy | | **CTA** | Clear: "I can deliver a draft within [timeframe]" | ### Follow-Up Sequence ``` ## Follow-Up Plan **Follow-up 1 (7 days after pitch):** Subject: Re: Guest post pitch: [Topic] "Hi [Name], just bumping this in case it got buried. Happy to adjust the topics if none of these are a fit. Any feedback is appreciated." **Follow-up 2 (14 days after pitch):** Subject: Quick follow-up on guest post pitch "Hi [Name], last follow-up on this. If the timing isn't right, no worries at all — I'd love to stay on your radar for future opportunities." **After follow-up 2:** Move on. Do not send a third follow-up. ``` --- ## Phase 4: Polish ### 1. Pitch Checklist ``` ## Pitch Quality Checklist - [ ] Subject line is specific and under 10 words - [ ] Email is under 250 words - [ ] Personalization references a specific recent article - [ ] 2-3 topic ideas are included with brief descriptions - [ ] Each topic idea explains why it matters to THEIR audience (not yours) - [ ] Credentials are brief and relevant - [ ] Published work links are included (if available) - [ ] Clear delivery timeline is stated - [ ] Tone is professional and not desperate - [ ] Follow-up sequence is prepared ``` ### 2. Topic Idea Scoring Rate each topic idea on: - **Audience relevance** (1-5): How much will their readers care? - **Uniqueness** (1-5): Has this angle been covered before? - **Your authority** (1-5): Can you write this credibly? Recommend leading with the highest-scoring topic in the subject line. --- ## Example: Pitching a Freelance Business Blog ``` Subject: Guest post pitch: 3 pricing mistakes that cost freelancers $10K+ Hi Sarah, Loved your recent piece on value-based pricing — especially the client conversation framework in section 3. It's the clearest explanation I've seen. I'd love to contribute a guest post. Three topic ideas: 1. "3 Pricing Mistakes That Cost Freelancers $10K+ Per Year" I made all three. Would include the exact conversations that fixed each one. 2. "The Freelance Proposal Template That Closes 60% of Leads" Based on 200+ proposals I've sent over 4 years. Includes the template. 3. "Why I Stopped Offering Unlimited Revisions (And Revenue Went Up)" A specific, data-backed case for scope boundaries. About me: I've been freelancing for 6 years, scaled to $15K/month, and write about the business side of freelancing at [URL]. Published work: - "How I Doubled My Freelance Rate in 90 Days" — [URL] - "The Client Onboarding Checklist I Use for Every Project" — [URL] I can deliver a polished 1,500-word draft within 10 days. Best, [Name] ``` --- ## Anti-Patterns - **Generic pitches** — "I'd love to write for your amazing blog" with no specific reference to their content screams mass email. - **Pitching topics they have already covered** — check their archives before pitching. Duplicate topics get instant rejections. - **Leading with credentials** — editors do not care about your resume. They care about whether the topic serves their readers. - **Long pitches** — anything over 300 words will not be read. Respect the editor's time. - **No topic ideas** — "I can write about anything!" shows zero preparation. Always pitch specific topics. - **Following up 5 times** — two follow-ups is the max. After that, move on. --- ## Recovery - **No published work:** Publish 2-3 articles on your own blog or Medium first. Link to those as samples. - **No response after follow-ups:** Do not take it personally. Pitch a different publication. Come back to this one in 3-6 months with a new angle. - **Editor asks for a different topic:** Say yes and deliver quickly. Getting your foot in the door matters more than the specific topic. - **Cannot find the editor's name:** Use "Hi [Publication] team" as a last resort. Try LinkedIn, the About page, or recent bylines first. - **Publication has no guest post guidelines:** Pitch anyway with a short, professional email. Many publications accept guest posts without a formal process.