Guest Posting 101 – Part 1
As a blogger I am always looking for ways to draw positive attention to what I do at www.actingbalanced.com and to meet new readers. One of the best ways to do that is to guest post on other people’s blogs. It’s also a great way to get content on your own blog that your readers would be interested in – but I’ll get to that later… Opportunities arise because bloggers need to take vacations, have babies, deal with illnesses or just because they are looking to give their readers some new and different content or perspective.
What are the benefits of guest posting?
New readers – hopefully some of you might find this post interesting enough to take a peek at Acting Balanced to see what else I write.
Back links – If you are a blog that pitches businesses or generates income from your blog, increasing your Page Rank and other statistics that rely on back links then this can be a good (and legitimate way) to do it!
Social Networking – Most bloggers who accept guest posts also use social networking to connect with their followers so by having a guest post on their site, you are also reaching out on twitter, Facebook, Google+ and beyond to meet new people!
Raise your profile – even if you are not a blogger, guest posting on blogs provides you a way to build your writing portfolio and build your standing as an expert in your field. It also means that you don’t have to commit to a regular blogging schedule to share your message – if you approach bloggers to share your message when you have something to say, you can build your reputation.
What shouldn’t you do in a guest post?
Advertise – your main aim is not to sell yourself or a product, it’s to give information/opinion or to entertain the readers of the blog that has invited you to post. Links are a courtesy from the blogger who is sharing your post.
Offend – Guest posts should be geared to the intended blog audience and should be mindful that the audience doesn’t know you as a writer. Unless specifically asked, save your rants for your own blog or a letter to the editor.
Copy and Paste – Unless the blogger has invited duplicate content, your post should be a fresh piece of work or if you are refreshing something from the past, it should contain significant changes and new content.
How can you make your guest post pay dividends?
Promote it yourself! – Tell people where you are guest posting – on your blog, on your social media, on Stumble Upon, in your networks, generating traffic for your guest post is a great way to get asked to post again. I remember one of the first posts I was ever asked to do for a fellow blogger who was going on vacation – I got a note back saying it created the highest number of single day page views she’d had to date.
Comment on the comments you receive – If you leave me a comment here on Sadie’s blog, I will definitely follow up with you! I will reply to all comments and probably visit your blog or twitter feed to learn more about you if we haven’t met before.
If you read a blog that you love and would like to contribute to, send the owner an email and let them know that you’re interested in guest posting and offer a topic or two that might suit them. Watch for opportunities that come up to share your knowledge and use these opportunities to grow as a writer, blogger and person!
Guest posting is a great way to create a win-win relationship in the blogging world and I hope that this post has given you some insight into why you should be offering guest posts to blogs you love and want to share with!
If you would like to guest post at SadieLankford.com, please email Sadie at sadie.lankford.blog AT gmail DOT com.
Heather Smith is a never-stay-at-home mom of three kids, a sulky teenager, a special needs child with Autism and a 15 month old who seems to be the reincarnation of Bam Bam from the Flinstones. She has been blogging for two years atwww.actingbalanced.com. She’s a Canadian Ex-pat living in the South and using her voice to share her family’s world with others. Acting Balanced is an eclectic blog filled with recipes, product reviews, giveaways, personal stories and photos, and blog building events. You can also find Heather on Facebook, Google Plus, and Twitter!
Thanks for the post!!! I love the idea of guesting posting. Just haven’t done it1
Kristin Wheeler (MamaLuvsBooks) recently posted..Nutrisystem Week 1 – Getting Excited!
Kristin;
I know that there are always bloggers open to having guest posts for one reason or another… and I’m always open to have people guest blog for me too!
Heather ~ Acting Balanced Mom recently posted..I’m guest blogging today at SadieLankford.com
Great idea to write a guest post. . . The benefits are really good, and you can write on a topic you don’t post about on your own blog.
Tazim recently posted..Challenges for Yourself—Pass or Fail
true – I don’t often write blogger tips on my blog – that’s not it’s focus… but I love sharing them here on Sadie’s blog :)
Heather ~ Acting Balanced Mom recently posted..I’m guest blogging today at SadieLankford.com
This is a fantastic guide to guest posting. Helps me feel a little bit more confident in actually thinking about doing a guest post.
Ashleigh Walls recently posted..#SharetheLove Hop: Win A Valentine’s Day Package From Hallmark
The best way to start is to approach blogs you like and offer a guest post – make sure you introduce yourself and your blog – it’s important to be thorough when you offer as there are a lot of people trying to scam the system and write sponsored posts and post them for free on blogs.
Heather ~ Acting Balanced Mom recently posted..I’m guest blogging today at SadieLankford.com
Wonderful tip and advice for guest posting and what not to do. I love how guest posting is mutually beneficial
Brooke recently posted..Easy Heart Hairstyles for Valentine’s Day
It really is! I’ve met so many new people while guest posting, and gotten so much interesting content for my site by having guests!
Heather ~ Acting Balanced Mom recently posted..Leapin’ for Leap Pad G!veaway!