Want to Start Guest Posting but Don't Know How? Useful Guest Posting Tips

Many business owners understand the value of guest posting but often feel stuck on where to begin. It can seem daunting at first: what should you write about, how do you pitch it, and how can you make sure your effort actually pays off? The good news is that guest posting is easier than it looks once you know the steps.

At ServeScope, we support UK service businesses in getting started with guest posting and making the most of the opportunities it brings. Here are some practical tips to help you begin.

1. Choose the Right Topics for Your Guest Post

The first step is deciding what to write about. A strong topic is one that is both useful to the reader and relevant to your business. When selecting topics, consider the websites you are planning to guest post on and their audience so you can create the right-fit content.

Here are some examples that tend to attract attention:

• How-to guides: e.g. “How to Choose a Reliable Builder for Your Home Extension”

• Top tips: e.g. “5 Things Every Business Owner Should Know Before Hiring an Accountant”

• Industry insights: e.g. “Why Local Marketing Still Beats National Campaigns for Small Businesses”

• Case studies or lessons learned: e.g. “What We Learnt from Managing 100 IT Support Calls in a Week”

Think of questions your customers ask you regularly. If they are asking, chances are others are searching for the same answers online. To find these, search potential questions and see how your competitors have phrased them. Google Trends is also an excellent tool to check people’s interests and the right choice of words.

2. Write for the Reader, Not Just for SEO

Search engine optimisation (SEO) is important, but your first focus should always be on helping the reader.

We all know how frustrating it is to visit a webpage looking for information, only to find a long, repetitive text stuffed with keywords that makes little sense. If you are lucky, you eventually find the answer buried within. We recommend using keywords and following best practices, but not overdoing it. Make sure your content is enjoyable and useful so that readers stay on the page and actually read your post. That is far more valuable.

Here are some tips on how to do this:

• Write in a clear, friendly tone that matches the audience.

• Keep paragraphs short and easy to follow.

• Use examples and simple explanations rather than jargon.

• Add practical advice people can act on straight away.

3. Introduce Your Business but Do Not Over Advertise

Although guest posting is a way to promote your business, your article should not read like an advert. A post that sounds like a sales pitch will put people off quickly. Instead, focus on sharing useful information with your audience.

While doing so, it is also important for readers to know that a credible expert is behind the article. This is your opportunity to briefly introduce your business and what you can offer. Do it naturally and keep it balanced. Also, follow the instructions and guidelines of the site you are guest posting on, as there may be limits on how much you can promote your business.

4. Follow the Website’s Guidelines

Most platforms that accept guest posts have basic rules about word count, style, or preferred topics. Before submitting, always:

• Check if they have a “Write for Us” or “Contributor Guidelines” page.

• Make sure your article matches their style and tone.

• Ensure your content conveys accurate information.

• Avoid duplicate content or plagiarism. Your post should be original.

• Add a human touch. Do not rely solely on AI to create your content.

Following instructions carefully increases the chances of your post being accepted and published.

5. Increase Your Acceptance Rate

Even good articles can be turned down if the approach is wrong. To give yourself the best chance:

• Pitch your idea briefly before sending a full article.

• Show that your topic fits the website’s audience.

• Highlight the benefit to the readers, not just to your business.

• Be polite and professional in your communication.

Think of guest posting as building a relationship, not just submitting a one-off piece of content. A high-quality guest post can create opportunities for further contributions.

ServeScope Makes Guest Posting Easier

At ServeScope, we provide a dedicated space for UK service businesses to publish guest posts that matter. Our directory is free to register, and as a registered member you can write a guest post for us without any additional cost. At ServeScope, we do not have difficult or strict rules. What we value is exactly what is explained in this article.

When you contribute to ServeScope, you gain:

• Access to a UK-focused audience of potential customers.

• Support and guidance to make sure your post hits the mark.

• SEO-friendly backlinks that strengthen your online presence.

Let's Get Started

Guest posting is not about being a perfect writer. It is about sharing knowledge in a way that helps people and shows why your business is trustworthy. By choosing the right topics, writing clearly, and following a few simple steps, you can start guest posting with confidence.

Yes, it requires effort. But unlike paid ads or social media posts, writing an article for another site is a long-term investment. If you are not sure whether it is worth the effort, why not check our post "What is Guest Posting and How Can It Help Your Business?"