---
name: guest-post-pitch
description: "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."
allowed-tools: Read Write Glob
metadata:
  author: matthewhitcham
  version: "1.0"
---

# 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.
