Pitchbox Campaign Strategy Guide
Choosing the Right Campaign Type & Keywords for Best Results
Pitchbox campaigns work best when campaign type, keywords, and outreach strategy are aligned.
This guide helps you:
- Choose the right prospecting profile
- Select effective keywords
- Avoid common setup mistakes
- Generate higher-quality outreach opportunities
Step 1: Start With Strategy (Not Keywords)
Before creating a campaign, ask: What type of link opportunity am I trying to find?
| Primary Link Building Goal(s) | Campaign |
|---|---|
| Guest posts, editorial backlinks, niche blog placements, content collaborations | Blogger Outreach 🔍 |
| Scaled blog discovery, building large prospect pools within a niche | Blog Category Search 🧺 |
| “Top X” features, expert mentions, list inclusion, authority placements | Roundups ⭐ |
| SERP-based prospecting, capturing pages already ranking for target terms | SERP Scraper 🎯 |
| Evergreen backlinks from curated resource lists and industry hubs | Resource Pages 📝 |
| Product mentions, review-based backlinks, ecommerce visibility | Product Reviews 💞 |
| Software reviews, comparison articles, “best tools” listings | SaaS Product Reviews 🖥️ |
| Digital PR, time-sensitive placements (last 24-hour), early coverage, newsjacking | Hot Off The Press 🔥 |
| Leveraging existing prospect lists, scaling outreach from owned data | CSV Import ⬇️ |
| Managing and re-engaging existing Partner relationships | CRM 🤝 |
| Reusing high-performing prospects, scaling proven outreach opportunities | Cherry-pick 🍒 |
| Removing toxic/spam backlinks, improving SEO profile health | Link Removal 🚯 |
| Reverse engineering competitor link profiles, replicating proven links | Competitor Backlinks 🤑 |
| Finding sites linking to specific pages for replication or outreach | URL Backlinks 🔗 |
| Reclaiming lost links and replacing dead resources with your content | Broken Backlinks 💔 |
Step 2: Campaign Keyword Strategy
Each campaign type is designed to surface a specific kind of opportunity. Your keywords need to match that intent. The sections below cover what each campaign targets, the optimal keyword formula, and how to adapt your keywords to get even more targeted results.
🔍 Blogger Outreach
Targets specific blog posts and articles relevant to your topic. Designed to surface individual pieces of content — not homepages or category pages — where your site could earn an editorial mention, guest post, or contextual backlink.
|
Strategy Formula [Topic] + [Intent/Format] + [Optional: Region or Audience] Think in headlines. What would a blogger title a post about your niche? Keywords should be long-tail and descriptive but not overly complex — aim for the phrasing someone would genuinely write an article about. |
| ✅ Good Keywords | ❌ Keywords to Avoid |
| Investing tips for beginners | Finance articles |
| Crypto investing tips | Finance Blogs |
| Stock market trends | Cryptocurrency tips for new homeowners in US |
| Best US destinations | Blockchain helping small businesses turn profitable |
| Europe travel tips | Offbeat travel hacks for adventurous nomads |
Keyword Variation Strategies — Getting More From Every Search
One of the most powerful things you can do in Blogger Outreach is adapt your core topic across multiple keyword angles. Each variation surfaces a different type of content and a different set of prospecting opportunities.
| Angle / Modifier | Purpose | Example Keywords |
| Regional Focus | Adding a city or region helps surface local relevant blogs. Great for local SEO campaigns or clients serving a specific market. | Edinburgh travel tips - best restaurants Edinburgh, hidden gems in Edinburgh, weekend itinerary for Edinburgh, Edinburgh travel guide, free things to do in Edinburgh |
| Listicles & "Best Of" | Including list-language targets roundup-style posts — high-engagement content that naturally links out to third-party sources. | best productivity apps, top 10 hiking trails UK, best budget travel tips, top SEO tools 2025, best vegan recipes UK |
| How-To & Guides | Tutorial-intent keywords surface instructional and step-by-step content — excellent for educational backlinks and resource placements. | how to start investing, step by step guide to SEO, beginner guide to keto diet, how to grow tomatoes at home, tips for first-time homebuyers |
| Audience-Specific | Targeting a specific audience segment narrows results to content written for that reader — improving relevance and conversion. | investing tips for beginners, fitness advice for over 50s, travel tips for solo female travelers, SEO for small business owners, meal prep for busy families |
| Year / Seasonal | Adding a year or season surfaces recently updated content — useful for finding active bloggers publishing timely posts. | best travel destinations 2025, SEO trends 2025, summer workout tips, Christmas gift ideas for men, spring gardening guide |
| Problem / Pain Point | Problem-focused keywords surface posts written in response to common challenges — where your product or content is a natural solution. | why is my website not ranking, how to reduce bounce rate, struggling to save money, tips dealing with burnout, fixing slow metabolism |
| Comparison & Review Intent | Comparison-style phrases surface evaluative content — great for link-building campaigns where you want mentions alongside competitors. | Mailchimp vs Klaviyo, best CRM tools compared, WordPress vs Webflow, Airbnb vs hotel pros cons |
|
💡 Pro Tip: You don't need to include the word "blog" in your keywords — the campaign already targets blog content. Build keyword sets of 8, each representing a different angle on the same topic to maximize coverage. |
🧺 Blog Category Search
Acts like a blog directory search. Rather than targeting individual articles, this campaign surfaces entire websites within a niche or content category — ideal for building large prospect pools at scale.
|
Strategy Formula [Broad Niche] or [Content Category] Use single-word or short two-word industry labels. These should represent the category of a blog — not the content within it. Think: what would a blog about this topic put in its navigation menu or meta description? |
| ✅ Good Keywords | ❌ Keywords to Avoid |
| Gardening | Real estate CRM tools |
| Travel | Wedding photographer Manchester |
| Health | Best organic skincare 2025 |
| Fitness | How to lose weight fast |
| Technology | Email marketing software |
|
💡 Keep keywords broad — one or two words only. Specificity works against you here. This campaign is currently only available in the USA market. |
⭐ Roundups
Targets curated list posts and "best of" collections published by blogs, media outlets, and niche platforms. These posts typically feature multiple tools, experts, or resources and are excellent for earning inclusion-based backlinks and brand mentions.
Common formats include: Top 10 Tools for Email Marketing · Best Web Design Trends · 20 Experts Share Their SEO Predictions · Weekly Tech News Roundup
|
Strategy Formula [Industry/Niche] — the system automatically appends "roundup" Use industry or niche-level keywords only. The campaign adds the term "roundup" to every query in the background — never include it yourself. Think about industries where weekly or monthly roundups are common. |
| ✅ Good Keywords | ❌ Keywords to Avoid |
| Web Design | Real estate CRM tools |
| Digital Marketing | Wedding photographer Manchester |
| Cryptocurrency | Interior design roundup |
| Travel | Best productivity apps 2025 |
| Real Estate | How to rank on Google |
Keyword Variation Strategies
| Angle / Modifier | Purpose | Example Keywords |
| Sub-niche Focus | Narrow the niche to surface roundups specific to your exact category — reduces irrelevant results. | content marketing, email marketing, local SEO, sustainable fashion, plant-based nutrition |
| Tool / Resource Type | Adding a resource type targets roundups that compile tools, apps, or platforms — ideal for SaaS and product-led link building. | project management tools, design software, SEO tools, marketing automation, HR software |
| Audience or Skill Level | Surfaces roundups written for specific audiences — more targeted results with higher relevance. | marketing for beginners, photography for professionals, travel for families, fitness for seniors |
|
💡 Not sure if roundups exist in your niche? Test in Google first: "[your niche]" + "weekly roundup" or "[your niche]" + "top tools". Never include the word "roundup" in your keywords — the system adds it automatically. |
📝 Resource Pages
Finds dedicated resource pages on websites — curated lists of tools, articles, and references around a specific topic. Resource pages are designed for discovery and tend to link out to multiple external sources, making them strong opportunities for evergreen backlinks.
Examples: "Helpful Marketing Resources" · "SEO Tools We Recommend" · "Getting Started with UX Design"
|
Strategy Formula [Industry or Topic] — the system automatically appends "resources" Use industry-based keywords that represent areas where people have frequent questions or ongoing educational needs. Avoid full sentences or overly specific phrases — the campaign adds "resources" after each keyword automatically. |
| ✅ Good Keywords | ❌ Keywords to Avoid |
| Web analytics | How to grow vegetables |
| Digital Marketing | Interior design resource |
| Substance Abuse | Best SEO blog posts 2025 |
| Drug Addiction | Email marketing tips for small businesses |
| Mental Health | What is machine learning |
Keyword Variation Strategies
| Angle / Modifier | Purpose | Example Keywords |
| Topic Depth | Drill into sub-topics within your niche for more focused resource page results. | content strategy, link building, keyword research, technical SEO, conversion rate optimization |
| Audience-Oriented | Frame the topic around who would be seeking those resources — surfaces pages aimed at specific groups. | small business marketing, tools for designers, support for carers, mental health, |
|
💡 Never include the word "resource" in your keywords — the system adds it automatically. Focus on topics that get updated regularly — the more active the page, the more likely they are to add new links. |
💞 Product Reviews
Finds sites that publish review articles and buyer guides for physical products. Ideal for ecommerce and product-led brands looking to earn review-based backlinks and product mentions.
Example output: The 6 Best Natural Skin Care Brands in the UK In 2024
|
Strategy Formula [Product Type] or [Product Category] + [Optional: Qualifier] Think about what someone would search when looking for a product like yours. Use product-category language rather than brand-specific terms. Maximum 6 keywords per search. |
| ✅ Good Keywords | ❌ Keywords to Avoid |
| Natural Skin Care Products | Dry shampoo |
| Organic Face Moisturizer | Beard oil |
| Best Anti-Aging Creams | Retinol cream |
| Vegan Skincare Brands | Skincare |
| Cruelty-Free Body Lotions | Face products |
Keyword Variation Strategies
| Angle / Modifier | Purpose | Example Keywords |
| Competitor / Similar Products | Enter names of similar or competing products to find review sites already covering your category. | Glossier skincare, CeraVe moisturizer, The Ordinary serum, Neutrogena SPF, Paula's Choice exfoliant |
| Use Case | Frame the product around a use case or problem it solves — surfaces review content aimed at solution-seekers. | moisturizer for dry skin, sunscreen for sensitive skin, face cream for acne, anti-ageing eye cream, serum for hyperpigmentation |
|
💡 This campaign has a maximum of 6 keywords per search. For best results, include both generic category terms and more specific product descriptors. |
🖥️ SaaS Product Reviews
Targets sites that publish SaaS review articles, software comparisons, and "best tools" lists. Ideal for software companies looking to earn placements in product roundups and review-based content.
Example output: Asana Review: Why It's My Favorite Project Management Tool
|
Strategy Formula [Software Category] or [Competitor Tool Name] Use names of platforms similar to yours, or the software category they sit within. This campaign surfaces review content around tools in the same market as your product. |
| ✅ Good Keywords | ❌ Keywords to Avoid |
| Moosend | Best email marketing tips |
| Mailchimp | How to use Mailchimp |
| Monday.com | Cheap CRM tools for startups |
| Pipedrive | Email marketing for ecommerce |
Keyword Variation Strategies
| Angle / Modifier | Purpose | Example Keywords |
| Direct Competitor Names | Entering competitor tool names surfaces review content already covering your market — sites most likely to also review your product. | HubSpot, Pipedrive, ActiveCampaign, Monday.com, Notion, Ahrefs, SEMrush |
🔥 Hot Off The Press
Functions like Blogger Outreach but exclusively surfaces content published within the last 24 hours. Ideal for digital PR, newsjacking, and time-sensitive link building where being first matters.
|
Strategy Formula [Topic] + [Intent/Format] — same formula as Blogger Outreach Use the same keyword approach as Blogger Outreach — but prioritise trending or news-adjacent topics. Think about what journalists and bloggers are actively writing about right now in your niche. |
| ✅ Good Keywords | ❌ Keywords to Avoid |
| Crypto market update | Finance Blogs |
| AI tools for marketing | Finance articles |
| Stock market trends | Cryptocurrency tips for new homeowners in US |
| Budget travel Europe | Blockchain helping small businesses turn profitable |
Keyword Variation Strategies
| Angle / Modifier | Purpose | Example Keywords |
| Newsjacking Topics | Use trending or recently newsworthy subjects to intercept coverage as it's being written. | AI regulation news, interest rate changes, crypto market crash, remote work trends 2025, social media algorithm update |
| Seasonal & Event-Driven | Capitalise on seasonal moments and industry events where bloggers publish in real-time. | Black Friday deals 2025, Super Bowl marketing campaigns, CES tech announcements, World Mental Health Day, Veganuary tips |
| Expert Commentary Angles | Target topics where bloggers typically quote or feature external experts — opens doors to being cited as a source. | SEO predictions 2025, future of remote work, social media marketing trends, AI in healthcare opinion |
|
💡 Speed is everything in this campaign. Act quickly once you identify opportunities — content published in the last 24 hours is still being indexed and shared. Combine this with a well-prepared outreach template to reduce response time. |
🎯 SERP Scraper (Formally Advanced Operator Search)
Uses Google's advanced search operators to find highly specific, already-ranking pages. Instead of topic-based keyword discovery, you're filtering for pages with precise characteristics — by URL structure, title, page text, or domain.
|
Strategy Formula [Core Topic] + [operator:criteria] — combine multiple operators for precision Most Google search operators work with this campaign. Start with your core topic, then layer in operators to narrow by URL, title text, or body content. To maximise results, relax metric filters and use all 8 keywords per search. |
Popular Operators & Use Cases
| Angle / Modifier | Purpose | Example Keywords |
| intitle: | Finds pages with specific words in the HTML title tag. Use to target posts that explicitly cover your topic in the headline. | home improvement tips intitle:renovation, digital marketing intitle:guide, fitness intitle:beginner workout |
| inurl: | Finds pages where a specific word appears in the URL. Useful for finding how-to content, tips pages, or guides by URL structure. | skincare inurl:blog, investing inurl:guide, travel inurl:itinerary |
| intext: | Finds pages containing specific words in the body text. Layer on top of other operators to ensure content relevance. | home improvement intext:paint, SEO inurl:tips intext:backlinks, nutrition intext:protein |
| "quoted keywords" | Forces an exact phrase match. Use when you want to target content that specifically uses a particular phrase. | "guest post guidelines", "write for us", "digital marketing", "submit a post" |
| Combined Operators | Stack operators together for precise, targeted searches. The more operators you combine, the more specific the results. | home improvement tips inurl:tips intitle:design intext:paintdigital, marketing intitle:guide inurl:blog intext:SEO, travel tips intitle:itinerary inurl:guide intext:budget |
|
💡 This campaign is highly targeted by design. Relax your metric filters and use all 12 keyword slots to maximise results. Reference: https://ahrefs.com/blog/google-advanced-search-operators/ |
⬇️ CSV Import
Enables you to work with your own prospect data inside Pitchbox. Upload a list of sites and Pitchbox's contact discovery tool will find associated contacts. You can also filter imported sites against your metric requirements to ensure only quality prospects enter your workflow.
|
Strategy Formula Your data → Pitchbox contact discovery + metric filtering There are no keyword inputs for this campaign. Instead, provide a list of URLs or domains in CSV or plain text format. Pitchbox handles contact discovery and quality filtering from there. |
Accepted input formats:
- CSV file
- Plain text (one URL or domain per line)
|
💡 Use this campaign when you already have a curated list of target sites from prospecting, PR work, or client knowledge. Pair with metric filters to automatically exclude low-quality domains before outreach begins. |
🍒 Cherry Pick
Allows you to revisit and repurpose opportunities you've already found in previous Pitchbox campaigns — without running a new live search. You can filter by project, campaign, milestone, tag, or days since last contact. Personalization data carries over for seamless re-engagement.
|
Strategy Formula Filter existing opportunities → build a new campaign from pre-vetted prospects No keywords required. Use campaign filters and milestone data to identify the right historical prospects, then create a focused outreach campaign from proven, high-quality opportunities. |
Why use Cherry Pick?
- Save time by reusing trusted, relevant websites
- Maintain consistency across similar client campaigns
- Reconnect with sites you previously contacted but never heard back from
🚯 Link Removal
Designed to help you request the removal of unwanted, spammy, or toxic backlinks pointing to your site. Import the target URLs and Pitchbox will identify contacts for each domain so you can reach out directly through your outreach workflow.
|
Strategy Formula List of URLs pointing to your site → Pitchbox contact discovery → outreach to webmasters No keywords needed. Import URLs that are linking to your site and should be removed. The system identifies the right webmaster contacts for each domain. |
Why use Link Removal?
- Protect your site's SEO by disassociating from low-quality or harmful links
- Streamline the link removal process with automated contact discovery
- Centralise outreach efforts within your existing campaign workflow
🤑 Competitor Backlinks
Reverse engineers competitor backlink profiles to identify which sites are linking to them. Enter competitor domains and the tool returns their backlink data — surfacing outreach opportunities from sites already proven to link within your niche.
Supported data sources: Ahrefs · Moz · Majestic · SEMrush
|
Strategy Formula [Competitor domain(s)] → backlink profile analysis → targeted outreach list Enter one or more competitor URLs in any format. The tool returns the full backlink list pointing to those domains. No keyword input required. |
Accepted input formats:
- Root domains (e.g. mysite.com)
- Subdomains (e.g. blog.mysite.com)
- Homepages (e.g. www.mysite.com/)
- Specific URLs (e.g. https://mysite.com/blog/page-name)
- Prefixes (e.g. domain.com/path/* for a broader match)
Why use Competitor Backlinks?
- Uncover link-building opportunities by analysing competitor backlinks
- Identify sites likely to be receptive to your outreach
- Gain insights into competitors' SEO and PR strategies
🔗 URL Backlinks
Finds all websites linking to a specific URL — useful for identifying who is already referencing your content or a competitor's page, and turning that into outreach opportunities.
Supported data sources: Ahrefs · Moz · Majestic · SEMrush
|
Strategy Formula [Specific URL(s)] → backlink discovery → outreach prospects Enter one or more specific URLs to analyse. The tool returns all backlinks pointing to each URL — ideal for content-level link analysis rather than domain-wide discovery. |
Why use URL Backlinks?
- Pull in backlinks for specific content or pages
- Discover new outreach prospects based on existing interest
- Monitor earned links from PR or content marketing efforts
💔 Broken Backlinks
Identifies broken backlinks pointing to your site or a competitor's — pages that used to exist but now return 404 errors. This creates two opportunities: reclaim lost links by fixing or redirecting your own broken pages, or identify broken links on other sites and pitch your content as a replacement.
Supported data source: Ahrefs only
|
Strategy Formula [Domain(s) or URL(s)] → broken link discovery → reclaim or replacement outreach Enter domains or specific URLs. The tool returns all backlinks leading to non-functional pages — your starting point for either fixing your own broken pages or reaching out with replacement content. |
Why use Broken Backlinks?
- Reclaim lost SEO value by fixing or redirecting broken backlink targets
- Identify "low-hanging fruit" — easy opportunities to restore valuable links
- Reach out to linking sites with a replacement link for faster wins
- Especially useful for older or well-established brands with a large backlink footprint