In my recent post on One Way Link Building, I mentioned interviews and guest blogging as 2 of the 7 ways to get one way links. I included specific examples of each to give you an idea of how it’s done, and what it looks like.
I’ve often joked about being a “lazy affiliate” – but the truth is, I do prefer to do things the easy way if at all possible. That’s the reason that blog interviews and guest blogging are my two favorite methods for easily getting high quality inbound links. And no – you don’t need a blog of your own to make this work for you…
Nervous? Don’t be!
If you’re nervous about pitching a guest blog post to bloggers in your niche, or pitching an interview idea – don’t be! Sure you need that solid inbound link, and it almost feels like begging. Or at best, that you’re asking for a favor.
But the reality is that bloggers have needs to: they need constant, relevant, interesting content for their readers. You are actually doing them the favor!
Finding The Right Bloggers
Your first step is to find the bloggers in your niche that are reaching your target market. Search Google.com, Google Blog Search and also Technorati.com for your topic or your keywords. Use a Feed Reader and add these niche blogs to your reader so you can keep up with them.
And no, I can’t possibly keep up with dozens of blogs every day, but I do scan through them once or twice a week 
If you’re on Twitter (and you should be!), use the Twitter search feature to find bloggers in your niche. Follow them and get involved in conversations with them. Twitter is one place where I find the majority of my guest blogging opportunities.
You can also ask for recommendations on your favorite discussion forum, and ask them which XYZ blogs they read and like the most – and why.
This should give you some great starting points…
Pitching Your Content
Start by switching your mindset like we talked about above, keeping in mind that you have something of value to offer them: unique content.
Your first step is to figure out your angle, and how you want to frame the offer when you contact the blogger. This is all going to depend on who you are, what you do, and how you can work that into their blog.
Here’s a bad example – which would get ignored & deleted:
Hi Clicknews,
I really need links to my web site. Can I guest blog for you??-Jack
Three major problems with that message: 1) they didn’t address me by name, 2) I don’t care what you need, 3) I have no idea who you are or what you do or whether I even want to find out.
Here’s a good example – which would get my consideration:
Hi Lynn,
Love your blog! I’m really enjoying your series on link-building. I have a software product that automates guest blogging – I’d be happy to let you test the program if you’re interested in reviewing it.I also thought it might be fun to do a Q&A post for you on automated vs manual. If you’re interested just send me your top 3, 5 or even 10 questions about it and I’ll reply back with the answers so you can publish it on your blog.
Best,
Jack Black
JacksDomainName.com
Another good example:
Hi Lynn,
I’ve been reading your blog for awhile now – nice work! I noticed you haven’t written any posts for your Google Adsense category lately. I have several reports on the topic, and would be happy to write a few guest posts for you in exchange for a link back to one of my free reports.Let me know if you’re interested!
Jack Black
p.s. Here’s the link to one of my free reports if you want to check it out: linktoreport.com
See? Simple enough.
The key is to be personable with the blogger. Address them by name, and let them know you are familiar with their work – and have something of value to offer them that fits in line with their current goals or needs.
As a blogger myself, I have been doing blog interviews (or blog conversations) and guest blogging both ways – publishing them here on my blog, and getting published on other people’s blogs. It’s a great way to create unique content, and to get high quality one way inbound links.
Give it a try!
I’ve actually been doing so many interviews lately that my daughter decided to mock me with a video interview on our way into the city yesterday:
If a 13 year old can do it…
Best,
. The price was right at only $31.99 with free shipping, but I was sold on the comfort features – padded headband and ear pads – and of course it had good consumer reviews.
by Gina Trapani. It was recommended by Randy Cantrell 
