Guest Post Pitch Template: 5 Emails That Get Accepted
Five templates, one per situation: the standard pitch, the content-gap pitch, the data-driven pitch, the mutual-value pitch, and the follow-up.
Why most pitches are ignored: too generic, too long, or aimed at the wrong blog.
The principles behind all five, and where to find sites worth pitching, are below.
Most guest post pitches get ignored because they’re generic, too long, or irrelevant. Below are 5 templates that work, each designed for a specific scenario. Copy, personalize, and send.
What makes a guest post pitch work
Before the templates, here are the principles behind every successful pitch:
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Reference a specific article on their site | Send the same email to 500 sites |
| Pitch 2–3 topic ideas with one-line summaries | Send the full article unsolicited |
| Include a link to published work | Attach your resume or bio |
| Keep it under 150 words | Write a 500-word introduction about yourself |
| Use a clear subject line | Use “Guest post inquiry” as your subject |
| Follow up once after 5–7 days | Follow up 5 times in 2 weeks |
Template 1: The standard pitch
Use when a site has a “Write for us” page or explicitly accepts guest posts.
| Subject: Guest post idea for [Site Name] |
|
Hi [Name], I enjoyed your recent piece on [specific article topic]. The point about [specific detail] was especially useful. I’d love to contribute a guest post. Here are a few ideas that fit your audience: 1. [Topic idea 1] – [one sentence explaining the angle] Here’s a recent piece I wrote for [publication]: [link] Happy to adjust any of these to fit your editorial calendar. [Your name] |
Template 2: The content gap pitch
Use when you’ve found a topic their site hasn’t covered yet but their audience would value.
| Subject: Idea: [Topic] for [Site Name] |
|
Hi [Name], I noticed [Site Name] covers [topic area] extensively but hasn’t published anything on [specific gap topic]. It’s a topic I see [target audience] asking about frequently. I’d like to write a practical guide covering [2–3 key points the article would address]. I’ve written about this for [publication]: [link] Would this be a fit? [Your name] |
Template 3: The data-driven pitch
Use when you have unique data, research, or survey results to share.
| Subject: New data: [Key finding] – guest post for [Site Name] |
|
Hi [Name], We recently [surveyed X users / analyzed Y data points / ran a study on Z] and found some surprising results: • [Key finding 1] I’d love to write up the findings as a guest post for [Site Name], with actionable takeaways for [their audience]. [Your name] |
Template 4: The mutual value pitch
Use when you can offer something beyond just content (social promotion, newsletter mention, etc.).
| Subject: Collaboration idea for [Site Name] |
|
Hi [Name], I’m [Your name], [brief credential]. I’ve been reading [Site Name] for a while, especially your coverage of [topic]. I’d like to write a guest post on [specific topic]. In addition to the content, I’d promote it to my [X followers / Y email subscribers / Z community members]. Here are a couple of angles: 1. [Topic idea] – [one line] Published example: [link] [Your name] |
Template 5: The follow-up
Send 5–7 days after your initial pitch if you haven’t heard back.
| Subject: Re: [Original subject line] |
|
Hi [Name], Just bumping this up in case it got buried. I pitched a few guest post ideas last week – would any of them work for [Site Name]? Happy to suggest different topics if those aren’t a fit. [Your name] |
What’s the biggest mistake people make in guest post pitches?
Exactly. Generic pitches signal that you haven’t read the site and don’t understand their audience. Personalization is the single biggest factor in acceptance rates.
The #1 mistake is sending generic emails. When editors see a pitch with no reference to their specific content, they know it’s mass-sent and delete it. Referencing a specific article takes 2 minutes and dramatically increases your acceptance rate.
Where to find sites that accept guest posts
Our guest posting sites list has 222 verified sites organized by niche with Open PageRank scores and submission guidelines. Focus on sites with:
- Real organic traffic (check with a DA checker)
- An active, engaged audience
- Topical relevance to your niche
- Editorial standards (not pay-to-publish sites)
Subject lines that get opened
| Subject line | When to use |
|---|---|
| “Guest post idea for [Site Name]” | Standard pitch |
| “Idea: [Topic] for [Site Name]” | Content gap pitch |
| “New data: [Key stat] – guest post?” | Data-driven pitch |
| “Quick question about contributing to [Site]” | Casual, relationship-first approach |
| “[Mutual connection] suggested I reach out” | When you have a warm introduction |
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Start Getting Mentioned On AutopilotFrequently asked questions
How do you pitch a guest post?
Personalize the opening by referencing their content. Pitch 2–3 topic ideas with brief outlines. Include credentials and a link to published work. Keep it under 150 words. Follow up once after 5–7 days.
What is the acceptance rate for guest post pitches?
Personalized pitches see 5–15% acceptance. Generic mass emails get less than 1%. Relevance, personalization, and credentials are the biggest factors.
Should I write the full article before pitching?
No. Pitch 2–3 topics first and let the editor choose. Only write after getting approval on a specific topic and angle.
How long should a guest post pitch email be?
Under 150 words. Editors skim emails. Lead with your hook, pitch topics in one line each, and include one link to your best published work.