With Google's increased scrutiny of link profiles, there is some debate on whether or not guest blogging is beneficial to businesses. However, if done moderately with the right partners, guest blogging can be extremely valuable. Guest blogging isn't only a link building tactic; it's also a great way to build your credibility, your community, and expand your customer base. When you decide to guest blog for someone, it's important to put your best foot forward to produce high quality content. After all of your hard work, you don't want the result to be posted just anywhere – which is why it's vital to find a guest blogging opportunity that fits your needs and will be the most successful.

When guest blogging, it's important to consider your audience, as well as the tone of your content. The difference between a conversational tone and a more scholarly article will define what type of blog your piece will be hosted on, which can help you to narrow down your options.

Below are five steps to finding the right guest blogging opportunity.

1. Search for potential blogs to host your content on

The easiest way to start off is by using Google Blog Search. Try using some version of [inpostauthor:guest "keyword"] or [inurl:guest "keyword or topic"] and see what comes up. If you find that the results are few and far between, try using a broader keyword. There are also a variety of guest blogging platforms on the web that allow you to meet up with other bloggers.

2. Check for domain authority and link profile

Credibility and quality go hand-in-hand, but sometimes it may be a little difficult to tell how authoritative a blog is simply by looking at it. To get a clear-cut answer, you can easily take a look at the blog's domain authority and link profile. You can do this by installing the SEO Moz toolbar onto your browser or typing the URL of the blog into Open Site Explorer.

3. Check for engagement

Social media is an important aspect of choosing a blog, and is a tell-tale sign of the blog's engagement of its readers. Search for posts and look for comments readers have left, as well as options to share via various social media outlets like Twitter, Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn. Take a look at their Twitter page and see what kind of following they have and how often they interact with their followers. The more interaction, the better!

4. Begin building a relationship with potential blogger

Once you've found a blog that meets your criteria, building a relationship before proposing a guest post is key. Share their posts, comment on their content, and interact with them via social media.

5. Reach out to blogger with guest blog proposal

Let them know why you think it's a good fit for their blog and tell them how you can help promote the post on your end.

Guest blogging is a powerful aspect of content development that is designed to connect with people, build relationships, and find qualified leads for your business. By finding the right opportunities, you can rest assured that your time was well-spent.