One awesome business and traffic building strategy that people frequently overlook is guest blogging. Many do not really understand the concept, and others just do not realize how easy it is to get started. Really, all guest blogging is about collaboration between two bloggers.
The benefits of guest blogging are many. It exposes you and your writing to a whole new group of people, helping to build your brand and also position yourself as an expert in the field you are writing about. Provide quality content in your guest blogs, and you will almost certainly acquire new followers for your blog and social media sites. Guest blogging also brings another little perk in the backlinks you’ll acquire from the sites that you are able to post on. Because you are also helping out a fellow blogger by giving them some fresh content to post, you will often find that you create new and long-lasting friendships. Fellow bloggers will often be happy to return the favor by posting on your blog as well.
Finding Opportunities
If you already frequent certain blogs that are relevant to your niche, ask if they’d interested in a guest post. Because you read their blog, you’ll already have an idea of the type of things they publish and can plan your post accordingly. I prefer to actually write the post and send it along with my request. My feeling is that having the actual post to review for relevancy and quality makes them much more likely to agree with posting it for you. Contrast that to an email that says, “Hey, I’ll write a post- what subject would you like me to cover?” That tells them you don’t really know what their blog is about, and also puts the burden of choosing a topic on them. Additionally, if they do not like your post, or for whatever reason will not publish it, you can simply look for another ‘home’ for it.
Of course, you can send an email to pretty much any blog owner and pitch a guest post to them. At least it shows that you’ve been on their blog and know what it is all about. Certainly try to make your post relevant, and somehow tie any links back to their site and their niche. You might need to gently remind them of your offer. Some people may not check their mail frequently, others might be extremely business, or simply not interested. I make it a policy to follow up twice over a period of about 10 days before I simply move on.
You can also do a Google search for blogs that accept guest posts. Say your niche is antiques. If you search for ‘antique blogs guest posts’ your results will ferret out lots of blogs that accept guest posts on a regular basis, or have in the past. You now know that these blog owners are receptive to guest blogging, so approach them with a guest post offer.
There is also a great site called My Blog Guest that matches bloggers who want to guest post with those blog owners looking for content. It is a great resource for the blogging community to get together more easily. Most people on the site are receptive to guest blogging even when they do not have a post on the forums specifically looking for content, so you will often get a better response rate than in the general blogosphere. Ann Smarty runs My Blog Guest and SEOSmarty, and has an excellent reputation in the business.
Another good resource for guest bloggers is Blogger LinkUp. This site sends out frequent emails with the guest posts needed and offers to guest post, as well as contests, giveaways, and reviews that people need help with. Cathy Stucker is the blog owner, and she also has several blogs pertaining to blogging and book publishing. Of course, she is generally receptive to offers of quality guest posts for her blogs. She offers valuable advice on making money both offline and online, as well as building your brand.
Guest blogging can also be fun and informative. You may have some general knowledge lots of topics, but digging into them a little deeper in order to write a post, you’d be amazed at all the things you don’t know! I can tell you that I learn a lot of new things every single day, and that it in itself is reason enough to guest blog.
Whatever your expertise, if you are a blogger you already know how the industry in general works and the advantages of blogging. Now add some guest posts and really kick your blog efforts up a notch!
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Twitter: backngroovemom
says:
Thanks for the info — I found my way to blogging through a guest post that someone asked me to write. I liked writing the post and it was well received….so, I started my own blog. Obviously, I think guest blogging can be great! Rachel
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Twitter: techwork_dk
says:
Hi Denise
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about guest blogging. I like to come here at Comluv to read guest posts. There are always a lot of great posts from all kind of niches. I have not been guest posting yet, but think I will in the future.
Have a nice Sunday Denise.
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Thank you Denise for this very thoughtful post. Guest posting is indeed a great way to generate traffic to your site. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve discovered a new blog thanks to a well written guest post. Besides the great publicity for the guest poster, guest blogging can also provide a much needed service to the blog’s main author. It’s difficult to come up with great content on a consistent basis and I think a lot of blog owners appreciate the break that guest blogging allows.
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Twitter: Denise Gabbard
says:
Hi Mark– Thanks for your comment. I, like you, discover new blogs and websites all the time when I see an interesting post and want to find out more about somebody. You are absolutely right about trying to think of great topics to write about– and I like having a fresh perspective, too.
Denise Gabbard recently posted..Another Great Traffic Generation Idea
Twitter: Denise Gabbard
says:
By the way, took a look at your blog, and you have some great information there for hotels and restaurants in need of marketing ideas. I will be reading a bit of your stuff, as I do marketing work for a few myself. Thanks!
Denise Gabbard recently posted..Another Great Traffic Generation Idea
Twitter: _cosmin
says:
Hello Denise! Thanks for the article.
I agree that guest blogging can bring traffic. It’s a good way to gain exposure and get people to know you.
In fact, I’m about start using it.
Cosmin Stefan recently posted..Is Guest Blogging the Future of Article Marketing
Hi, thank you for the great article. I will use guest blogging for sure.
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Twitter: Denise Gabbard
says:
Hi MR– Thanks for your comment on my post– definitely do some guest blogging. It will make a huge difference in the traffic on your site.
Twitter: wongjiajun
says:
True, it’s all about relationship. With the help from people around the world, it help us grow much faster than we build it alone, and we can in return help back other bloggers with what we can. Many times, we talk about genuine traffic from the other site, second would be collaboration with bloggers to come out something greater for readers. It is too powerful.
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Twitter: Denise Gabbard
says:
Hi Jiajun– Yes, it is very powerful when several bloggers work together, especially when they work in the same, similar, or complementary niches. I try to pay it forward when I can!
Denise Gabbard recently posted..Another Great Traffic Generation Idea
I agree but I’m in two minds about the value of guest blogging for my blog. I tried it once, guest blogging on a popular site with a niche area that complements my niche. That day I received a huge influx of visitors to my site as referrals from the other blog, and the next day I received about half the amount of referrals from that blog and so on. By the 4th day my blog was all but forgotten by the readership of the other blog and my visitor count was back to it’s normal trickle. I failed to retain any new readership, possibly because I didn’t add any new content to my blog during that golden few days after I guest blogged. I think guest blogging may not be well suited to infrequent bloggers such as myself.
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Twitter: Denise Gabbard
says:
Hey Foo– I’ve read a lot about blogs, and those that post consistently often do quite well, however, there are lots of blogs out there with high PR and low Alexa numbers that do not. I think that highly relevant and great content is more important overall… and that means for new people who visit your blog, too. One thing I would suggest is to bookmark guest posts regularly, and also post about them on Facebook and Twitter to generate some buzz and engage the new readers in some conversations.
Denise Gabbard recently posted..Another Great Traffic Generation Idea
guest posting is great when it relates to the content in the post.
I hate getting comments on my blogs that are unrelated to anything or simply say “good post”
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Twitter: Denise Gabbard
says:
Hi Zoopco– Thanks for your comment on my post! I am confused a little, though, as it seems you are mentioning comments that are posted on your blog posts. Guest bloggers actually write a relevant post for someone else’s blog.
Denise Gabbard recently posted..Another Great Traffic Generation Idea
I started guest blogging about a year ago. It was really a good experience and I’m happy I started. Here’s what I learned from the experience. I always tried to write a better post for somebody else’s blog than my own blog. You see, when you are a guest blogger your post has to get approved by the blog owner. Also, you really don’t want to damage the other person’s blog in any way, so you always strive to over deliver. We all know we should over deliver any way, but sometimes it’s easier to get slack on our own blogs you know.
So basically, guest blogging fine tuned my skills a little. Over all, it was good experience
Twitter: Denise Gabbard
says:
You are absolutely right– I also realized that it’s made me think more about my content and the way I present it in my posts– things I know but often forget when posting on my own blog. Breaking up the posts into short bites, lots of subheaders, etc.– and of course, information that has lots of value for the reader! Thanks for reading my post and commenting!
Denise Gabbard recently posted..Another Great Traffic Generation Idea
Twitter: llccompany
says:
BloggerLinkUp is a great tool. I just signed up for it and expected it to take a little while before I would find guest posts or places to make guest posts, but I got my first consolidated email from BloggerLinkUp on my first day. It’s great for someone who is just starting up a site and wants to get some attention from already established blogs.
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Twitter: Denise Gabbard
says:
Hi Brian– Thanks for commenting on my post. Glad you like BloggerLinkUp– I do, too! I have found lots of great bloggers to collaborate with there, and yes, it is an awesome place for someone who is just starting out. People are open to helping each other on the site, it really is a small community.
Twitter: Denise Gabbard
says:
Nice, professional looking site by the way. I will be returning to check it out more thoroughly… think it may be time for me to make that move.
Denise Gabbard recently posted..Another Great Traffic Generation Idea
I think guest blogging is a very important part of building links for page rank, reputation, gaining the attention of other potential visitors to websties. I think that it’s great to welcome guest bloggers as well as to write as a guest blogger on other websites because when you give someone a chance to build their reputation they will likely appreciate you and your site. Its also a good idea to help share the wealth to your best guest bloggers
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Twitter: Denise Gabbard
says:
Thanks for commenting on my post, Brian. Wish you the best on your new site!
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Hi Denise,
Great resources. Thanks for sharing!
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Twitter: thenathanbailey
says:
Hello,
A wonderful article, I really like how you give the information and example sites on where to find opportunities for guest blogging. I have been a user on MBG for a while and its got me some great guest posters, who keep coming back to post more (not on the blog for my name), and it has also given me some great place to post for some of the clients I work for
I haven’t used Blogger LinkUp yet though, so I may have to go check that site out tomorrow to see if I can gain some more guest posters as well as find some guest posting opportunities for the clients I work for.
On a site note, I noticed you have a dead link in the last paragraph for “Guest blogging” and was wondering if you would be interested in linking it to http://www.guestbloger.com/guest-blogging?
Thanks,
Nathaniel