Guide: How to Get Paid to Write for IncomeDiary (Step‑by‑Step)

Audience summary: IncomeDiary readers are entrepreneurs, bloggers, affiliate marketers, web owners, and people who want to make money online, grow traffic, and build profitable websites. The site leans practical: case studies, revenue reports, SEO tutorials, and actionable growth tactics.

Because of that, your article should be practical, results-oriented, and backed by either personal experience, clear examples, or data.

Typical topics IncomeDiary publishes:

• SEO and search engine rankings
• Driving traffic (organic, social, paid)
• Content creation and monetization
• Affiliate marketing & selling products
• Buying/selling websites and case studies
• Blog design, conversion optimization, and email list building

Quick facts (from IncomeDiary’s contributor page):

• They have a history of publishing many guest-contributed posts and interviews since 2009.
• They publish high-traffic posts and send articles to tens of thousands via their mailing list.
• Many successful posts are long-form, practical guides or case studies.

Check 1 — Does it solve a real problem?

Ask: will a site owner or blogger be able to do something differently after reading your post? Good examples: “A 5-step funnel to double affiliate opt-ins” or “How I increased organic traffic 3x with a content republishing plan.” Avoid vague ‘what is’ explainers unless they include hands-on steps.

Check 2 — Is the angle specific and evidence-backed?

IncomeDiary rewards examples, case studies, and specific tactics. Instead of “SEO tips,” pitch “How I used internal linking + content clusters to increase long-tail rankings in 90 days (with analytics screenshots).”

Check 3 — Can you demonstrate results or a working demo?

If you can show analytics screenshots, revenue numbers (rounded), A/B test results, or a working template/tool, your article becomes far more attractive.

Step A — Publish 2–4 strong writing samples

If you’re new, publish full tutorials or case studies on your own blog, Dev.to, or Medium. Make sure they include code, screenshots, and clear steps readers can follow.

Step B — Prepare proof of results

Collect screenshots (Google Analytics, Search Console, revenue reports — blur sensitive numbers), links to demo pages, or before/after metrics. IncomeDiary values proof.

Step C — Read the three articles IncomeDiary asks you to read first

On their contributor page, IncomeDiary asks applicants to read several articles so you understand their best-performing content and style. Read them before you submit and mention that you read them in your pitch.

IncomeDiary uses a submission form. Below is the exact information they ask for and how to fill it to increase acceptance chances.

What they ask for (form fields)

• Name — Use your full name and the name you publish under.
• Email — Use a professional email you check daily.
• Website — Your blog or portfolio URL (optional but helpful).
• Target article word length — IncomeDiary accepts long-form pieces. (See Word counts section below.)
• Article title — A working title. They can help improve it.
• Article description — 2–4 sentences summarizing the problem, your angle, and the expected reader outcome.
• When will you complete the article by? — Give a realistic deadline.
• What makes you good enough to write for IncomeDiary? — Brag about relevant wins and links to samples.

How to write the Article Description (2–4 sentences)

Follow this mini-template:

1. Problem: One short sentence describing what readers struggle with.
2. Solution/angle: One short sentence describing your unique approach.
3. Outcome: One short sentence describing what the reader will be able to do after reading.

Example: “Many bloggers struggle to turn traffic into subscribers. This article shows a 6-step newsletter funnel that doubled my opt‑ins in 8 weeks using a lightweight lead magnet and two automated email sequences. By the end you’ll have a plug-and-play funnel you can adapt and deploy in under a day.”

Sample pitch (copy & paste, tweak to your data)

Subject: Guest Post Pitch — "How I Increased Organic Traffic 3x with a Content Republish Plan"

Hi IncomeDiary team,

My name is Jane Writer (https://janewrites.com). I’ve run a content marketing experiment that grew organic traffic 3x in 90 days for my niche site. I’d like to pitch a detailed case study titled "How I Increased Organic Traffic 3x with a Content Republish Plan".

Article description:
Problem: Many bloggers get stale traffic from older posts and don’t know how to reformat content for renewed SEO gains.
Angle: A step-by-step republishing workflow (audit → update → internal link refresh → promotion) with screenshots and tools (Screaming Frog, Google Search Console) showing before/after metrics.
Outcome: Readers will be able to run the audit and republish 10 high-potential posts in under a week and expect measurable traffic improvements.

I’ve read your submission guidelines and the three recommended IncomeDiary posts. Examples of my writing: https://janewrites.com/republish-case-study and https://dev.to/janewrites/seo-audit-template.

If you like the idea I can deliver a 2,000–2,500 word draft with screenshots and analytics within 14 days.

Thanks for considering — Jane

How much does IncomeDiary pay?

IncomeDiary lists a budget range and says they pay up to around $150–$300 depending on the piece and that they sometimes pay up to $200 for worthy articles. In short: they will consider fees — and many listings on their contributor page have per-article budgets noted. When applying, you can request a fee and list your expected rate.

Important publishing rights & exclusivity notes (read carefully):

• IncomeDiary’s page notes that contributors typically agree not to publish the content elsewhere — they take copyright ownership when you submit a post. (Always confirm current terms with the editor when accepted.)
• They demand original content — no spun or duplicate posts.
• Because of exclusivity, ask whether you may republish later on your own site and under what conditions — some editors allow reposting after an exclusive window.

Negotiation tip: If you’re offered a low fee but the exposure seems valuable, consider asking for a slightly higher fee for full exclusivity or a short exclusive period (e.g., 30–90 days). If you need perpetual rights, be explicit before submitting the final draft.

Length: IncomeDiary lists article requests that say “All articles must be over 2,000 words” in places, and elsewhere a minimum of 1,500 words is mentioned. Because their successful posts are long-form, aim for 1,800–3,000 words for tutorials and case studies. When in doubt, propose 2,000+ words in your pitch and confirm after acceptance.

Formatting checklist:

• Short paragraphs (2–4 lines).
• H2/H3 hierarchy for sections and steps.
• Code blocks, screenshots, and numbered steps where applicable.
• Include tools and exact settings where useful (e.g., Screaming Frog filters, GA segments).
• Provide links to resources, tools, your demo, and any templates mentioned.

SEO basics: Optimize a clear H1 (title), use descriptive H2/H3, and include relevant internal links (to IncomeDiary posts and authoritative resources). Use an SEO tool (IncomeDiary recommends SEMrush on their page) to identify keywords and intent.

• IncomeDiary — Write for IncomeDiary (official submission page)
• 7 Lessons From The Articles That Get The Most Traffic (IncomeDiary recommended)
• Content Creation: 10 Lessons From 50 Million Visitors (IncomeDiary recommended)
• 21 Best Ways To Increase Your Website’s Search Engine Ranking (IncomeDiary recommended)
• SEMrush — keyword research tool (IncomeDiary mentions it)
• Dev.to — publish samples quickly
• Medium — alternative sample publishing
• GitHub — host demo code or projects

Suggested reading sequence before you submit:

1. Read the IncomeDiary submission page in full.
2. Read the three recommended IncomeDiary posts listed on their contributor page.
3. Read 3–5 recent IncomeDiary posts in the topic you plan to write on.
4. Prepare your pitch and sample links, then submit via the form.