Getting great placements for your guest blog posts can feel hopeless when you keep bumping against low open rates, low reply rates, and rejections.
To fix this problem you need to perfect your cold email game. Stop blatantly asking for favours and use these templates that will help you find more placements, build more links, and improve your overall DA (or DR).
We’ve got the inspiration for this template from our lemlister of the week - Alan, although he’s using it to build “direct backlinks” (backlinks without guest posting), we’ve changed it a little bit and made it appropriate for guest post outreach.
This guest post outreach template is based on the initial email and follow-up email.
Let’s see them!
Subject line: editorial inquiry
Bonjour {{firstName}},
Huge fan of your content here! To prove it, here’s the image:
Anyway - to keep this short. Could you please let me know if this is a right address for and editorial inquiry?
If not, I would appreciate if you can direct me to the right one.
Thanks,
Ugi
Short, catchy and simple. Personalized image is there to build a stronger bond, engagement and relationship with our prospect.
But, if someone doesn’t reply or even forget about it - here’s the follow-up guest post outreach template that will make them do it.
Subject line: [Same as above]
Hi {{firstName}},
Not sure you got my last email, but I’ll get back to the point.
As I mentioned - I’m a huge fan of your content, I especially liked your extended piece about {{articleTopic}}, and the way you {{articleBenefit}}.
Anyway, I was wondering - are you accepting guest blog posts?
I’m Ugi - reaching out to you from lemlist - and would like to write an actionable and very deep article about {{desiredTopic}}.
Here’re the three topics I have on my mind:
- {{topic1}}
- {{topic2}}
- {{topic3}}
If you want to check the quality of my article, you can see my latest (and one of the best) article here {{yourArticleURL}}.
Thanks and looking forward to our collaboration,
Ugi
As you can see - this guest post outreach template and follow-up are quite personalized.
Yes - they require a bit of work - but the results are amazing.
To be exact - Alan, with a similar outreach template got:
Not bad at all!
This strategy helps you appeal to your leads' FOMO. Fear of missing out is a strong feeling, and you'll instantly spark your leads' curiosity and need for your SEO services.
Subject line: The missing puzzle for your blog
Hi {{FirstName}},
I’ve just checked your content about {{TOPIC}} and I must admit that you did a great job especially with [something unique about his content]
Since I have been exploring and writing about it a lot in the past months, I thought that I could bring some extra value to your audience where I saw that you’re missing an article about {{yourDesiredTopic}}
If you’re interested, I can write one extended, in-depth and highly-actionable guest blog post for {{hisWebsite}}.
I bet it will be a huge value bomb for your audience ;)
Let me know what you think. As soon as I get back from you, I will prepare you an outline so we can be on the same line.
Thanks!
Ugi
Why do we like this template?
Well - before all - it starts with a gentle and positive note in the introduction. After that, it subtly points out to your prospect about the crucial topics he’s missing on his website where you can jump in.
That is the opportunity he won’t be able to resist to - and there’s your chance.
This guest post outreach template is inspired by a cold email template for building backlinks.
To be exact - that email has on average:
So, we’ve decided to change that email template a little bit, and make another one that’s suitable for arranging guest blog posts.
Although there are a little bit less successful arrangements than with the original template (it gives around 15 - 20 placements on 100 prospects), it still makes great results.
Let’s see it:
Subject line: Super quick question
Hi FName … ha - just kidding!
Hi {{firstName}} - you don’t know me - probably because we’ve never met.
I’m Ugi - Content Marketing Manager at lemlist.
Although this is just going to be asking for a guest blog post on {{hisWebsite}}, I’m gonna do that with a little twist ;)
I would like to write an in-depth and actionable guest blog post for you on {{topic}} - here’re the three articles I have on my mind for you:
- {{topic1}}
- {{topic2}}
- {{topic3}}
In return, I’m happy to give you anything from the following - you’re 2/2 - so pick wisely! ;)
- a link back from some of our other guest blog posts
- Mention in our newsletter/social media channels (cca 10k followers)
- An extended trial of our product - lemlist
- My eternal gratitude and monthly funny pics of Zoe :’D
Hope you liked this weird (and maybe funny :D) email {{firstName}},
Cheers and hope we talk soon,
Ugi
Why do we like this guest post outreach template?
To make your cold emails stand out in your leads’ inboxes, your messages should be:
Editors are getting dozens of emails every day - and to be honest - it’s pretty hard to convince them that you are the right person for writing on their blog. So, your guest post outreach templates need to be compelling enough.
Don’t forget to send follow-up emails to make sure that you’re not just forgotten in your leads’ inboxes. To make things even easier, here are our favorite follow-up email templates.
Experience these templates in real-life, and create your personalized images with lemlist today!
G2 Rating | Price | Best for | Standout feature | Con | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
4.9 star star star star star | $30/mo $75/mo $2,999/mo | Large, distributed sales teams | AI evaluation precision, gamified KPIs | Lack of tracking system | |
4.6 star star star star star-half | Not publicly available | Sales operations and finance teams | Powerful configurability | Limited training resources and complex to navigate | |
4.4 star star star star star-half | Not publicly available | Mid-market and enterprise businesses | Comprehensive incentive management | Potentially high cost and steep learning curve | |
4.7 star star star star star-half | $15/user/mo $40/user/mo Enterprise: custom price | Complex sales structures and businesses of all sizes | Complex sales structures and businesses of all sizes | Steep learning curve | |
4.6 star star star star star-half | Not publicly available | Collaborative teams | Connected planning | Complexity and steep learning curve | |
4.6 star star star star star-half | Not publicly available | Companies with complex sales structures | Complex incentive compensation management (ICM) with high efficiency and accuracy | Complexity for smaller teams and potentially high costs | |
4.7 star star star star star-half | Not publicly available | Companies who want to automate commission calculations and payouts | Simplicity and ease of use | Lack of features like redirection | |
4.7 star star star star star-half | $30/user/mo $35/user/mo Custom: upon request | Businesses that need a comprehensive and user-friendly sales compensation management software | Ease of use and adoption | Lack of ability to configure the product based on user needs | |
4.8 star star star star star-half | Not publicly available | Companies with modern sales culture and businesses who want real-time insights | A built-in dispute management and real-time visibility | Users say it works slowly, customer support is slow | |
4.9 star star star star star | $30/user/mo $50/user/mo | Smaller sales teams | Powerful automation | Lesser user base and average user interface | |
4.7 star star star star star-half | Not publicly available | Companies with scalable needs | Automated Commission Calculations | Lack of filtering by date, no mobile app |
PRM Tool | Rating | Feature | Pro | Con | Mobile App | Integrations | Free Plan | Pricing |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4.65 star star star star star-half | Org-wide alignment | User-friendly layout and database | Suboptimal as a personal CRM | square-check | Lack of tracking system | square-check | Team: $20/month Business: $45/month | |
4.7 star star star star star-half | Social Media Integration | Easy contact data collection | No marketing/sales features | square-check | Lack of tracking system | square-xmark 7-day trial | $12/month | |
4.75 star star star star star-half | Block Functions | High customization capability | Not a dedicated CRM | square-check | Limited | square-check | Plus: €7.50/month Business: €14/month | |
N/A | Open-source | Open-source flexibility | Requires extensive manual input | square-xmark | Limited | square-check Self-hosted | $9/month or $90/year | |
3.1 star star star | Simple iOS app | Ideal for non-tech-savvy users | iPhone only | square-check iOS only | Limited | square-xmark 1-month trial | $1.49/month or $14.99/month | |
3.6 star star star star-half | Smart Contact Management | Feature-rich and flexible | Reported bugs | square-check | Rich | square-xmark 7-day trial | Premium: $13.99/month Teams: $17.99/month | |
4.4 star star star star star-half | Customizable Interface | Customizable for teamwork | Pricey for personal use | square-check | Rich | square-xmark | Standard: $24/member Premium: $39/member | |
4.7 star star star star star-half | Integrated Calling | Integrated Calling | Too sales-oriented & pricey | square-check | Rich | square-xmark 14-day trial | Startup: $59/user/month Professional: $329/user/month | |
4.8 star star star star star | Business Card Scanning | Business Card Scanning | Mobile only | square-check | Limited | square-check | $9.99/month | |
4.45 star star star star star-half | 160+ app integrations | Comprehensive integrations | No free app version | square-check | Rich | square-xmark 14-day trial | $29.90/month or $24.90/month (billed annually) |
Capterra Rating | Free Trial | Free Plan | Starting Price (excluding the free plan) | Maximum Price (for the most expensive plan) | Best for | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4.5 star star star star star-half | square-check 14-day | square-check | €15/month/seat billed annually | €792/month/3 seats billed annually + €45/month for each extra seat | Versatility and free plan | |
4.2 star star star star | square-check 30-day | square-xmark But it offers reduced price to authorised nonprofit organisations | €25/user/month | €500/user/month billed annually (includes Einstein AI) | Best overall operational CRM | |
4.3 star star star star star-half | square-xmark | square-check Limited to 3 users | Comprehensive incentive management | €52/user/month billed annually | Small-medium businesses and automation | |
4.5 star star star star star-half | square-check 14-day | square-xmark | €14/seat/month billed annually | €99/seat/month billed annually | Sales teams and ease of use | |
4.1 star star star star | square-xmark | square-check Limited 10 users | $9.99/user/month billed annually | $64.99/user/month billed annually | Free plan for very small teams up to 10 |
CRM goal | Increase the sales conversion rate for qualified leads from marketing automation campaigns by 10% in the next 6 months. | ||||
SMART Breakdown | 1. Specific: It targets a specific area (conversion rate) for a defined segment (qualified leads from marketing automation). | 2. Measurable: The desired increase (10%) is a clear metric, and the timeframe (6 months) allows for progress tracking. | 3. Achievable: A 10% increase is possible based on historical data and potential improvements. | 4. Relevant: Boosting sales from marketing efforts aligns with overall business objectives. | 5. Time-bound: The 6-month timeframe creates urgency and a clear target date. |
Actions | Step 1: Refine lead qualification criteria to ensure high-quality leads are nurtured through marketing automation. | Step 2: Personalize marketing automation campaigns based on lead demographics, interests, and behavior. | Step 3: Develop targeted landing pages with clear calls to action for qualified leads. | Step 4: Implement lead scoring to prioritize high-potential leads for sales follow-up. | Step 5: Track and analyze campaign performance to identify areas for optimization. |
Outcomes | Increased sales and revenue | Improved marketing automation ROI | Marketing and sales alignment | Data-driven marketing optimization |