| 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:
- Recent posts — what topics have they covered in the last 30 days?
- Content gaps — what has NOT been covered that their audience would want?
- Tone and style — formal, casual, data-driven, story-driven?
- Guest post guidelines — do they have a submissions page?
- 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.
