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Common Blog Blunders

Blogs did not exist when I began writing. A recent survey report on blog post pitches lists many complaints of prominent blog editors. They parallel what magazine editors bewailed in the 1980s about queries from freelancers. They also echo what journalists in the 1990s commented about publicity pitches from marketers.  

The all-too-similar complaints:

  • Topics far removed from the publication's actual focus
  • Mass-produced pitches that are inappropriate for the  publication's audience
  • Angles incompatible with the site's explicit guidelines
  • Insincerity or outright lies 
  • Asking the publishing editor to suggest ideas
  • No links to the writer's bio or other published pieces 
  • Failure to reveal a compromising underlying agenda
  • Grammar or spelling errors

"Over 90 percent of the pitches I receive are low-effort junk," said Ben Sailer of CoSchedule.  

Instead, research your target. Understand what the editor wants and needs - not what you want to share.  Personalize your pitch. Do a comprehensive proofread before sending.  

Conscientious effort can put you into the 10 percent deserving of serious consideration. You should then see results.

[You can read the report on guest post pitches at:

https://www.pointvisible.com/blog/how-to-write-a-perfect-guest-post-pitch/ ]

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