Note: This is a guest post written by Cat Alford from The Budget Blonde.
What is guest blogging anyway?
Guest blogging is when you spend time and effort crafting a well thought out post, but, instead of publishing it on your own blog, you give it to a friend to publish for free (just like I’m doing right now for Joseph).
But why would you do such a preposterous thing? Is it just because you like Joseph and his blog? That may be true, but shouldn’t you be working on your own website? Shouldn’t you spend the time it’s taking to write the post and use it on your own site?
The answer may surprise you because it’s a 100% “no.”
The Benefits of Guest Blogging
Gurus like Jon Morrow have long been singing the praises of guest blogging and what it can do for website traffic. Jon recommends new bloggers (under 1,000 subscribers) spend 20% of their time writing and 80% of their time promoting their site.
As you probably know, you can promote your site in many ways from Facebook to Twitter to offering free samples of your products, but guest blogging takes it a step further because the blog you are writing for typically allows a byline about you at the bottom of your post.
Depending on the blogger, you could be allowed a variable number of links. These links can go to your blog, your Twitter, and your Facebook page for example. Now, it may not seem like much if you guest post on your best friend’s blog about her dog. But if you write for some of the most popular bloggers in your niche, a simple link like that could send thousands of visitors to your site.
Now, think about that type of traffic and envision guest posting 2-3 times a week.Sounds grand right? Like an overnight sensation? There’s just one problem. Why should the popular blogger take a guest post from you?
Why You First Need to Make Friends
Think of it this way: You wouldn’t let just anyone babysit your kid. You probably would get to know the babysitter, check their references, and maybe Google around a bit to make sure they weren’t in jail last week.
If you’re anything like me, your blog is kind of like your baby. You love it and spend time with it and try to help it grow. So you can’t have just anyone write for you for fear they could mess it up! So what you have to do is make blogger friends.
One of the lessons I’ve learned in the short year I’ve been blogging is that you make blog friends just like you make real life friends. First, you act like yourself. You don’t try to one up people. You might make friendly suggestions or point out an embarrassing typo. You keep up with them, reply to their tweets, and eventually one day, they could ask you to guest post, like Joseph did for me.
If that doesn’t happen, another way to secure a guest post is by making a pitch. Once again, you wouldn’t like it if a random stranger came up to you and asked if they could babysit your child. So, when you do make a suggestion or ask if you can guest post, you want to make sure the blogger knows who you are.
Popular bloggers receive hundreds of e-mails a day. If they know you, they will open your e-mail. If they recognize you because you comment on their blog three times a week, they just might consider your idea.
If these techniques do not work the first time, try again. The blogging world is a competitive community, and it often takes a bit of good old-fashioned hard work to get your name out there.
Writing the Post and Publication Day!
Speaking of hard work, let’s talk about the post itself: Make sure it’s the best post you’ve ever written. Scour it time and time again for typos. Think critically about what you want your tagline to say at the bottom of the post, as the words you choose often contribute to your search engine optimization.
Now for the good stuff: Publication Day! It’s pretty fun seeing your work on someone else’s site. At least for me as a freelance writer, the more people that read my words, the happier I am. On the guest post day, be a great online presence. Tweet and retweet the post. Put it on facebook. Respond to any comments or questions left on the post. Remember to thank the blogger who let you write for them, and don’t let your association with them end there. Remain friends, keep networking, and recommend their services to others.
Ultimately, just remember that guest posting for as many bloggers as possible not only enhances your writing but it can also lead to other great opportunities.
Cat Alford is an American freelance writer currently living on the Caribbean island of Grenada. She blogs about island life, southern hospitality, crafts, and living on a budget. Cat accepts guest posts every Friday so pitch her your idea by visiting her blog, www.BudgetBlonde.com, tweeting her @BudgetBlonde or saying hi on Facebook.
Thanks so much for having me, Joseph!
You’re very welcome. Thank you for writing the post. I’m going to send an e-mail later with a few extra pointers for you.
” … make friendly suggestions or point out an embarrassing typo.”
Okay, Cat, you’ve twisted my arm. LOL!
“This of it this way:”
Pretty sure you meant to say “Think” of it this way.
Thanks, Joseph, for inviting Cat to be your guest author today. I was born a blonde so I naturally magnetized toward this post.
Guest posting is a very effective (and fun!) way to showcase your expertise, build brand awareness, develop lasting friendships with fellow bloggers, find potential joint venture partners, expand your presence online, grow your list of subscribers, promote your products or services, and hone your writing skills.
I guess you could sum it up by saying a whole lot of goodness comes from guest posting!
Write On!
Melanie
Ah, that was actually on editing error on my end. Cat has no reason to be embarrassed; this ones totally on me. . .
Thanks for the catch, and it’s now fixed!
You’re a true gentleman, Joseph.
This is very interesting to me. Every time I’ve written a guest post, it’s been my responsibility to proofread and edit my work prior to publication. So not only are you a true gentleman, you’re a true professional and a generous one, to boot!
Nice to meet you, Cat. I’m following you on Twitter and I clicked the “Like” button on your Facebook fan page.
Wishing you the best and happy (guest) blogging!
Hi Melanie! Thanks so much for the great comment and for saying hi on Facebook & Twitter! I so appreciate it! Thanks also for catching the typo too. We like the posts to be as close to perfect as possible so it’s appreciated!
Best,
Cat
Editing is the least I can do, and I like to make sure the tone fits the style here at Blog Tweaks.
Hi Cat,
Love what you said about being yourself. What a smart set of tips
Thanks Ted! So good to see you in the comments!
gr8 thoughts
Thank you Sanjog!
Great advice on how to land guest post, I like how you likened your blog to your baby, I agree, I liken mine to my house, wouldn’t let a stranger in!
Ha! I love the house analogy! That’s a good one! Thanks for reading!
Hi Cat,
You are so right about making friends first. I love your analogy about not letting just anyone babysit your kid!
I have only been blogging for a few months, but before I started, I subscribed to lots of blogging and marketing blogs (like Joseph’s blogtweets here) so I could learn how to blog and market D.I. Telbat’s novels.
Before I knew the importance of commenting, I often asked questions or commented on blogs until one day, Tony Eldridge of Marketing Tips for Authors asked me to do a guest post! That blew me away! I thought a person was only supposed to guest post in one’s own niche! But because he had gotten to know me through comments, he felt comfortable to ask me to share our experiences with marketing D.I. Telbat’s Christian novels.
This taught me a couple of things – that getting to know someone will probably lead to other opportunities, but also, you don’t have to only befriend or guest within your own niche.
Tony is scheduling my first guest post sometime in the next few weeks. This would never have happened without becoming friends first. Another huge lesson for me.
Good advice to be present online the day of the post and to respond to every one.
Thanks for your great post, Cat. Good success with your blog,
Dee (Btw, I’m also a blonde.
)
Congrats on the guest post. Let me know when it’s published, and I’ll definitely go check it out.
Ok, thanks for your interest, Joseph! I’ll let you know when I’m on stage!
Hi Dee! Thanks so much for commenting on my post! Please send me your guest post when its up and running! cat [cat] budget blonde [dot] com
Thanks Cat! I will let you know when I’m up.
Woops! And ALWAYS “Scour it time and time again for typos.”
I meant blogtweaks. Sorry Joseph!
No worries. It can be tough to catch typos in comments since you don’t read them as critically as a post.
Agreed! Thanks again Dee!
Guest posting is fun, and a challenge as well. The results are way worth the anxiety.
Your advice on Making friends and Guest posting on popular blog is very inspiring. Thank you very much for great blog.