The Whys, Wherefores, and How-tos of Guest Posts
July 20, 2012 by Lillie
About once a month, you’ll see a guest post here. I enjoy publishing guest posts because it gives my readers and me an opportunity to learn something new or to discover a different perspective.
The guest bloggers benefit by getting a link or two to their own blog or website, as well as exposure to an entirely different audience.
It’s easy to see that a guest post that provides valuable information that readers want to know can benefit both the guest poster and the blog owner. However, guest posts that don’t benefit the blog readers are a waste of time for everyone.
I frequently receive emails from bloggers wanting to submit a guest post and have established guidelines to help bloggers submit a proposal for a guest post that will interest me enough to invite the requester to submit a post.
Although the guidelines are specific for my blog, you may find them useful if you want to guest post on other blogs or if you want to accept guest posts on your own blog.
Here are some of my best tips for submitting a request to guest post:
- Posts should be on a topic relevant to the particular blog. That seems so obvious, I shouldn’t need to mention it. Unfortunately, I get requests all the time from people who want to post about their subject matter that is nothing I cover on this blog. In my guidelines, I list the kinds of topics that are appropriate here. You should familiarize yourself with the blog you’re requesting to guest post so you know what is appropriate and likely to be of interest.
- Also understand the readership of the blog so that not only the topic, but also the tone of the guest post fits well with other posts in the blog. If the blog is business-like and professional, don’t submit a casual, chatty post. If the readership is young and hip, your writing style should be suitable for those readers.
- When you approach the blogger, make it easy for her by using a subject line that lets her know what your message is about—”Request to Guest Post,” or “Proposal for Guest Post,” for example.
- Don’t tell a professional writer or blogger that you can provide with good, free content and she won’t have to write anything. If I didn’t enjoy writing blog posts, I wouldn’t do it. And I hope my readers are getting good content from my writing, so “good, free content” isn’t enough to appeal to me. Some people sound like they’re doing me a big favor by offering to write a guest post. Certainly a good guest post will benefit me … but it also benefit the writer.
- Indicate how your post will be useful to the blog readers and why you are the best person to write it. “I notice that you often post information on caring for houseplants on your blog, but I haven’t seen anything about orchids. My hobby is growing orchids, and I have won several awards. I would like to share the five most important things you need to do to make the blooms last.”
- Offer to show up on the day the post appears to respond to comments. Some of my guest bloggers miss out on some valuable feedback because they don’t come back to answer questions or reply to comments.
- If you have more than one topic that you think would be a good match for the blog, let the blogger know so she can decide which is best for her audience.
- When the blogger approves your guest post, write the best piece you possibly can. After all, you’re guest posting to get exposure for your own blog. You want it to be great exposure of your very best work!
- Expect that the blogger will edit the post—especially if she’s a professional editor! I will never make significant changes to a submission without returning it to the writer for review, but I will make minor corrections and style changes so the post fits my blog.
- Follow the submission instructions. If the blogger requests a special email subject line or asks your post to meet certain criteria, do what she asks. You’ll definitely increase your chances of having your guest post accepted.
If you are a blogger who accepts guest posts, what other guidelines do you have for guest posters?
If you want to submit a guest posts to anther blog, what do you think is most important in gaining the blogger’s interest?
photo credit: aaron_anderer
I find that a lot of guest posts on people’s blogs are just filler posts and rarely include anything substantial or unique. They all seem to follow the same formula to simply try to get traffic back to their site. It’s kind of annoying.
Sunny,
I hope you don’t feel that way about the guest posts here. I publish guest posts only if I feel they would be interesting and/or helpful to my readers.
If you will do “”Guest Post”" then it can prove miracle for you because this is perfect option to attract many readers on your blog. Beside that this is nice way to make your popularity in front of others.
Sam,
Guest posting on other blogs is a good way to get your writing in front of people you wouldn’t otherwise and consequently can help build readership of your own blog.
I was looking for guest posting lately but there is still much to learn before I’m able to write a really useful and interesting article that meets the guest posting guidelines. Apparently this method of internet marketing rises more and more in Google’s eyes.
Ann,
Writing guest posts can be very beneficial if the posts are well-written and relevant to the blog they are on. Otherwise they can be detrimental because you will get a reputation for poor quality. When you have a chance to write a guest post, be sure it is the best you can write and on a topic helpful to the blog readers.
Guest Post, Can Attract Many Others Bloggers Too.
This is the best option to serve to your readers, they will love to read & come to your blog.
Nice post,
Super Like
Ray,
Yes, excellent guest posts can draw readers to your own site or blog.
It is also a way to learn new things, build relationship with other fellow blog writer and get your readers read more on your blog and since you didn’t limit the topic that you want to offer on your viewers.
Good points, Jane.
Guest posts add an interesting twist of diversity to a blog, so it is great you still post one every month Lillie.
A few points you brought up that I want to pick out:
“Expect that the blogger will edit the post—especially if she’s a professional editor!” – That is so key. As a member of the admin team for a community blog, you have no idea how often I edit posts! One thing I am always careful of though, is that in my edits, I don’t detract from the authors own personal style, as that is what makes their posts unique to them. You would be extremely facetious were you to think the blog owner or an editor would not modify your content in any way.
“Follow the submission instructions.” – This really drives me up the wall when people don’t even take the time to glance at the guidelines. If they are there, it is because your post will not be published if you don’t meet them! Give me your time, and I will give you my time in reviewing your work.
An important and thought provoking article
Christopher,
I can imagine how much editing you have to do on a community blog, and you make an excellent point about not changing the author’s voice. As I tell my clients, when I edit their books, I want the final result to sound exactly like them … only better.
Like them but better, I like that
Thanks, Christopher.
Yes, unfortunately, there are a lot of writers around, you might feel uncertain about them. It is really not easy to prevent this, but I really appreciate your determination and success that you are showing on your blog page.
Guest posts are definitely providing an advantageous occasion for both sides.
Plus that, all the tips you indicated up on the page are very useful and clear. Thanks for sharing Lillie.
ILayda,
I never promise to post a guest piece until I’ve actually seen it. The proposal may sound great, but if the article doesn’t deliver, I don’ tpost it.
Good information, Lillie. Thank you for posting this. I hope it will help anyone figure things out if they want to send you a guest post. Very important to read the guidelines, even though a lot of people don’t.
Dawn,
I hope this will be helpful to other bloggers and writers who want to guest post on other blogs, as well guest posters on my site.
Now, this is a really good write up about guest posts, Keep it up. Good guidelines
I’m glad you found the post helpful, Mazhar.
Thanks for this advice, Lillie. Writing a guest post is something I’ll explore soon because of the traffic it can bring to my newbie blog.
As you said, understanding the audience is key: gender, age group, educational level, and typical job. A blog for single young women in college would require very different posts than one for middle-aged family men with MBAs and executive posts.
If it’s not obvious to the poster what that audience is, ask the blog owner.
Good luck, Leo, with your guest posting.
Lillie, the guidelines are definitely a smart idea. It sets requirements and system for the owner of the blog and for the potential blogger.
Jane,
This morning I received two requests to guest post from people who hadn’t read my guidelines or this post. People who want to be a guest on a blog should at least know something about the blog–like reading the latest posts.
Now, this is a guideline that is definitely relevant and helpful. We just don’t offer guest blog without any kind of purpose in mind, do we?
Jane,
You would be surprised at how many requests to guest post I receive on subjects that have no relevance to my blog.
Nice Tips..
i love it..
thanks lillie
Glad you found the post helpful, Bonos.
A very well-made guidelines! We just don’t let someone post anything on our site without any sort of purpose and reasons.
Jane,
I’m always amazed at the number of requests I get from people wanting to write guest posts on topics that are totally relevant to my blog. And they focus the request on the benefit to them rather than the benefit to this blog or my readers.
I like guest posts when the blog is very niche oriented and the guest is an expert on the field. If it’s just a regular “this is my life” blog, then guest posts are usually not that interesting, in my expierence.
Michael,
I agree with you. Although I write on a lot of different topics here, I usually accept guest blogs that are relevant for writers and/or readers.
Agree these tips are very important and should be remembered by all those who are doing guest blogging.. and the topic you choose should be relevant enough with the site that you have thought of post your article
Stanley,
Relevancy is indeed one of the most important requisites for a good guest post.
It was a very Nice Idea! guest Blogging can attract more visitors and readers. I love this blog.
Thank you, James. Guest posts can benefit the guest blogger, the host, and the readers.
I’ve tried guest posting the only frustrating part is when you find a blog saying that they are accepting guest post without saying upfront that they indeed charge a payment for every post.
Nina,
I’ve never heard of anyone charging someone to guest post. I’ve had people offer to pay me, but I don’t accept payment. I choose guest posts purely on whether I think the post will be valuable and interesting to my readers.
I believe guest blogging is helpful to know the ideas of the people visiting and reading your posts. This will attract more visitors and readers and make more interactive, what to be posted should be relevant to the post. An advantage to also is to know their ideas, this may also contribute to you as the writer to have wider perspective.
Elaine,
Yes, there are many advantages to guest blogging.
Guest posting is important because it is another way to know the feedback of your visitors. These are important tips you could get here in this post and use it to more interactive and has a personal touch to your visitors.
Good point, Remy. Guest posts can help the blogger determine what the readers want.