Guest Author Submission Tips for First-Time Writers

Nov 09, 2025

Rahaal

Guest Author Submission Tips for First-Time Writers

Introduction: Your First Step into Guest Author Success

If you’re stepping into the world of writing and want your work featured on established websites, understanding guest author submission is essential. Guest posting isn’t just about getting your name out there — it’s about building credibility, improving SEO, and connecting with audiences that value your insights.

For first-time writers, the submission process can feel overwhelming. What do editors look for? How should you format your article? What makes your pitch stand out?

This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about guest author submissions — from understanding editorial requirements to crafting a professional pitch that gets noticed.

By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap to successfully submit your first guest post and grow your writing career strategically.

What Is Guest Author Submission?

A guest author submission is when a writer contributes an article to another website or blog within the same niche. In exchange, the writer typically gets an author bio and backlinks to their own website or portfolio.

For bloggers and content creators, this approach is one of the most effective ways to:

Build authority in your niche
Drive referral traffic from trusted sites
Strengthen SEO through quality backlinks
Network with editors and publishers
Gain exposure to new audiences

For instance, if you’re a travel blogger, writing a guest article for a site like Rahaal the Explorer exposes your insights to a community of passionate explorers — and helps you gain recognition in the travel niche.

Why Guest Author Submissions Matter for Beginners

If you’re a first-time writer, guest authoring is the best starting point for several reasons:

Portfolio Building: It provides published work to showcase to future editors or clients.
SEO Benefits: Backlinks from reputable sites boost your website’s domain authority.
Professional Growth: You learn editorial standards and digital publishing norms.
Audience Expansion: Your name appears before thousands of targeted readers.
Brand Recognition: It helps you build a recognizable writer identity in your niche.

In short, a successful guest author submission can fast-track your writing journey.

Step-by-Step Guide to Guest Author Submission

Here’s a proven step-by-step process for first-time writers to submit guest posts successfully.

1. Research the Target Website Thoroughly

Before pitching or writing, you must understand the platform you’re submitting to.

Look for:

Their niche (travel, lifestyle, marketing, etc.)
Tone and writing style (casual, professional, narrative)
Content structure (length, formatting, subheadings)
Topics that perform well (based on comments or shares)

For example, Rahaal the Explorer focuses on travel experiences, tips, and stories, so your pitch should align with that niche — not generic blogging advice or unrelated topics.

2. Read and Follow Guest Post Guidelines

Most websites have a dedicated page outlining guest post guidelines or submission rules. These specify everything from word count to image use.

Typical requirements include:

Minimum 1,000–1,500 words
Original, unpublished content
Proper formatting (H2/H3 headings)
Only 1–2 relevant backlinks
Inclusion of high-quality images or references

Failing to follow these instructions is the easiest way to get rejected. Always read the guest author submission guidelines twice before sending your post.

3. Create a Unique and Engaging Topic Idea

Editors receive countless pitches daily. To stand out, your topic must be:

Unique — Avoid overused subjects.
Actionable — Offer real advice readers can apply.
Niche-Relevant — Align with the blog’s main audience.
Search-Optimized — Include trending keywords in your topic idea.

For example:

Instead of “Travel Tips,” try “10 Essential Packing Hacks for Solo Travelers in 2025.”
Instead of “Writing a Guest Post,” try “Guest Author Submission Strategies for First-Time Travel Bloggers.”

4. Craft a Professional Pitch

Your pitch is your first impression. Keep it short, specific, and professional.

A solid guest author submission email should include:

Subject line: Guest Post Submission: [Proposed Title]

Body:

Hi [Editor’s Name],
I’m [Your Name], a travel enthusiast and content writer passionate about exploring new destinations and sharing unique travel insights. I’d love to contribute a guest article titled “[Proposed Topic]” to your website.
The post will include actionable tips, original images, and insights tailored for your readers. I’ve also attached writing samples for your review.
Please let me know if you’d like me to send a draft or outline.
Best regards,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Website or Social Profile]

5. Write High-Quality Content

Once your pitch is approved, focus on delivering a well-researched, SEO-optimized, and reader-focused article.

Best practices for writing include:

Use short paragraphs and clear subheadings.
Add statistics, examples, or personal experiences.
Incorporate your main keyword (guest author submission) naturally 6–8 times across the post.
Use bullet points for better readability.

Avoid keyword stuffing — Google’s algorithm penalizes over-optimization.

6. Format for SEO and Readability

To ensure your post ranks well on search engines and appeals to readers:

Include your primary keyword in the title, first paragraph, and one subheading.
Write an engaging meta description.
Use internal links (when allowed).
Add external links to credible sources.
Insert 1–2 royalty-free images for visual appeal.

Readable, skimmable content performs best on both Google and blogs.

7. Edit and Proofread Before Submission

Never submit your first draft. Always proofread your work for:

Grammar and spelling errors.
Sentence structure and clarity.
Keyword placement and SEO consistency.
Link functionality (ensure no broken URLs).

Tools like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor can help ensure your submission looks polished and professional.

8. Submit According to Instructions

When ready, send your article via the preferred submission channel — usually a contact form or email.

Attach your document in the required format (Google Doc, Word file, or plain text). Include your author bio, links, and image sources.

Example:

“Attached is my guest author submission titled ‘Guest Author Submission Tips for First-Time Writers’ for your review.”

9. Wait Patiently for Editorial Review

Once submitted, allow time for editors to review your work. Some websites respond within days, while others take up to a few weeks.

Avoid sending multiple follow-ups within short intervals. A polite follow-up after 10–14 days is acceptable.

10. Promote Your Published Article

After your post goes live, don’t stop there. Promotion is key to maximizing visibility.

Share it on:

Social media platforms (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook)
Email newsletters
Writing communities or Reddit groups

Tag the publication and show appreciation — editors value contributors who help expand readership.

Pro Guest Author Tips for Long-Term Success

Here are actionable strategies to turn your guest author submissions into a lasting writing career.

Track Your Submissions: Maintain a spreadsheet of where you’ve pitched and what’s published.
Diversify Platforms: Don’t rely on one site — submit across different, niche-relevant blogs.
Repurpose Content Ideas: Adapt successful topics for different audiences.
Build Relationships: Engage with editors and respond to comments on your published post.
Stay Consistent: Guest posting regularly improves brand recognition and SEO.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Guest Author Submissions

Avoiding these pitfalls will help you look like a professional from day one:

Submitting irrelevant or plagiarized content.
Ignoring submission instructions or word count limits.
Over-promoting your own brand or links.
Using clickbait titles with weak content.
Forgetting to proofread.

Remember: editors appreciate contributors who bring value and professionalism, not just backlinks.

Benefits of Successful Guest Author Submission

When your post gets published, the benefits extend far beyond a single article:

SEO Boost: High-quality backlinks improve domain authority.
Authority Building: Readers trust you as an expert in your niche.
Networking Opportunities: Collaboration offers future writing or brand partnerships.
Increased Traffic: Guest posts can generate long-term referral visits.
Content Credibility: Published work enhances your portfolio.

For new writers, one good guest author submission can lead to multiple invitations for collaboration.

How Guest Authoring Enhances E-E-A-T for SEO

Google’s E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) plays a major role in content ranking. Guest authoring helps strengthen all four:

Experience: Sharing firsthand stories adds authenticity.
Expertise: Niche-specific articles show knowledge depth.
Authoritativeness: Publishing on reputable sites improves credibility.
Trustworthiness: Editorial review ensures factual, valuable content.

Following these principles ensures your guest content performs well in search results.

Conclusion: Your First Guest Author Submission Can Change Your Writing Career

Your first guest author submission is more than a writing exercise — it’s your entry point into a professional writing and SEO-driven world.

Success lies in preparation, quality, and respect for editorial guidelines. Research the site, pitch unique ideas, write engaging content, and maintain a professional relationship with editors.

If you stay consistent, guest authoring can help you build your online presence, earn backlinks, and turn your passion for writing into a lasting digital career.

Remember — every successful author started with one great submission. Let yours be the first of many.