Email template
The post is "{competitor} alternatives" or "{A} vs {B}". Readers are actively choosing, so authors refresh these often. Below: the template, a filled-in example, why it works, common mistakes and the follow-up to send if there's no reply.
Subject: A {competitor} alternative for {audience}
Hi {first name},
I read your roundup of {competitor} alternatives. The point about {pain point they mention} is the main reason people switch, in our experience too.
{product} is built around that: {how you solve it, in one sentence}. It's {pricing fact} and {one differentiator}.
If you update the post, would it be worth a look? Happy to answer any questions for the write-up.
Thanks,
{your first name}
The situation: A post called "7 Evernote alternatives for academics". The intro says people leave Evernote because exported notes lose their links back to the original paper. The product is Margin, a fictional notes app for researchers.
Subject: An Evernote alternative for academics
Hi Marco, I read your roundup of Evernote alternatives for academics. Losing the link back to the original paper is the main reason people switch, in our experience too. Margin is built around that: every highlight keeps its source, and exports carry the citation with them. It's free for students and has a Word plugin that inserts the reference as you quote. If you update the post, would it be worth a look? Happy to answer any questions for the write-up. Thanks, Ana
Send once, four to seven days later, in the same thread. Add one new reason; don't repeat the pitch.
Subject: Re: A {competitor} alternative for {audience}
Hi {first name},
Quick addition in case it's useful for the next update: {a fact readers comparing tools care about, such as import from the competitor, a migration guide, or a pricing change}.
No worries if the list is set.
Thanks,
{your first name}
A template saves time on structure, not on research. Every placeholder should become a detail only this editor would recognise: their name, the post, the section and why your product helps their readers. Send it from a properly authenticated outreach domain, one email per prospect, and stop after one or two follow-ups.
Alternatives posts deserve their own playbook: read how to get into "[competitor] alternatives" articles, and see the best-of list guide for choosing which posts to pitch first. For smaller, niche lists, the niche tool roundup email is shorter.
Doing this for dozens of posts a week is where most outreach stalls. BacklinkGenie finds the posts, writes a pitch like the example above for each one, and sends it from a mailbox it manages for you once you approve. See how it works.
Yes. Authors of alternatives posts want variety: a cheaper option, a simpler one, one for a specific audience. Being the niche option is a reason to be included, not a weakness.
If you can, it's one of the most useful facts for the author. Readers of alternatives posts are mid-switch, and an easy import answers their biggest worry.
A two-tool comparison rarely adds a third entry. Pitch only if the post has an "other options" section or the author covers your category often.
Getting added to a best-of list template
For "best X" and "top tools for Y" posts that rank products like yours but don't include you yet.
Pointing out outdated information template
For posts with an old statistic, a discontinued tool or a changed price that you can correct with a better source.
The one follow-up template
For pitches with no reply after four to seven days. Send it once, in the same thread.
Link outreach email checker
Paste your filled-in version and see what an editor or spam filter will object to.
Outreach subject line tester
Check the subject for length, mobile cut-off and spam triggers.
All outreach email templates
Every template on one page: 19 situations from listicles to paid-link replies.
Paste your URL. The agent finds lists, comparison pages, resource pages and guides where your product fits, checks each site and finds the editor to contact. Free, no card.
