Writing an article for another website is one of the few marketing moves that costs nothing but time. Done well, it puts your expertise in front of new readers, gives you something to share with customers and can send people back to your own site. Done badly, it gets turned down or ignored. Here's how small business owners can write a guest article that gets published and pulls its weight.
Why guest posting is worth the effort
- New readers. Your article reaches people who have never heard of you.
- Credibility. Explaining your field clearly shows customers you know your stuff.
- Something to share. A published article is great material for your newsletter and social pages.
- A link back. Many sites credit the writer with a link to their website.
It isn't a shortcut to fast sales. It's a slow, steady way to build a name.
Pick a topic readers actually want
The best guest articles answer a question the site's readers already have. Before you write, ask:
- What do customers ask me every week? Those questions make great articles.
- What do people get wrong about my field? Clearing up a common mistake is useful and memorable.
- What can I explain that a generalist can't? Your hands-on experience is your edge.
Avoid a thinly disguised ad. Editors spot them immediately, and readers skip them.
Write it so it gets accepted
Lead with the point
Open with two or three sentences that tell readers what they'll learn and why it matters to them.
Use headings and short paragraphs
Most people skim first. Clear headings and short paragraphs help them find what they need.
Give real, specific advice
Steps, checklists, examples from your own work and mistakes to avoid. Specifics are what make an article worth reading.
Keep promotion light
Mention your business in your author bio, not in every paragraph. A helpful article sells you better than a pitch does.
Make it your own
Publish only original work. Many sites accept AI-assisted drafts only if a person has edited them, added real experience and checked the facts. Your experience is what makes the article valuable, so make sure it shows.
Follow the site's guidelines
Every site has its own rules for length, links, images and topics. Read them before you start, and follow them closely. An article that ignores the guidelines often gets declined, however good it is.
After it's published
- Share it with your email list and on your social pages.
- Link to it from your website as proof of your expertise.
- Keep writing. One article helps a little. A handful over a year builds a real reputation.
Our guide to email marketing basics shows simple ways to share new articles with customers, and how small businesses build trust online shows where articles fit with everything else.
Writing for Listings Junkie
Listings Junkie publishes guest articles from business owners, marketers and writers on running a business, marketing and local SEO. Each article is reviewed before it's published, and the writer gets a byline with a link to their website. The current word and link limits are on the guest post submission page. You can read published guest articles on the guest posts page.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a guest post be?
It depends on the site, so check its guidelines. Long enough to cover the topic properly is the real rule.
Can I promote my business in a guest post?
Lightly. Mention it in your author bio and let the helpful content do the rest.
Do guest posts help SEO?
They can, especially when a respected site links to yours, but their bigger value is reaching new readers and building credibility.
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