What can guest blogging bring to you?
- Increase your exposure and popularity online.
- Build relationships with other bloggers.
- Increase your backlinking.
- Increase your ranking in search engines.
- Meet new people and engage with others in your niche.
- Increase authority in your niche.
- Reach new audiences – Increase traffic to your website and blog from untapped sources.
- Increase your loyal readers and the number of your subscribers.
Are there any drawbacks to guest blogging?
It is time consuming. It requires more effort than blog commenting or other traffic generation methods. But it does pay off in terms of return on investment. But like anything if you do it badly, it will not pay off.
How should you guest blog effectively?
Probably the best place to start is considering your objectives (what you want to gain from guest blogging) and your resources (how much time you have). Then you can work out how to best move forward. Luckily, guest blogging follows many of the principles to writing a great blog, so if you’re an experienced blog writer you are well on your way.
But there is still a lot to consider.
Now, let’s look at the ingredients to an amazing guest blog….
- Guest blog on sites in your niche. Carefully choose your sites. How do you find these sites? Useful resources include Google search and Google Blog Search, as well as top sites in your niche. You may also contact authors directly (consider who you already know, and how to find new people).
- Reply to everyone that has left comments on your guest blog.
- Fully engage with your readers – visit and comment on their blog; connect with them on other social media channels i.e. follow them on Twitter, Tweet their latest blogs.
- Utilise Comment Luv – This provides incentives for readers to leave comments on your blog. They can link their name, website, and their latest blogs to the bottom of their comment.
- Blogging is reciprocal – If you help others out, they will often reward you.
- Guest blogging is a chance to show your capabilities to write great content. So ensure you deliver content that is high quality.
- Guest blog for lots of different posts – Don’t just stick to the same few. Consider guest blogging for both small and large sites.
- Join a blog community such as MyGuestBlog
- Provide content that has a lot of value to readers i.e. tips, etc.
- Write unique content. Don’t copy a post that is already on your website
- Break up content with images, bullet points and headings
- Consider the nature of the blog that you are writing for from researching that blog. Keep the blog in line with the content the blogger has previously published.
- Adopt a personalable and friendly tone, but don’t ramble on about irrelevancies
- Leave an optimised Link in your bio – Don’t just leave a normal link to your site, make the most of your link by changing the anchor text to something you want to rank for in Google.
- Keep to the blog owners guidelines.
Guest blogging really is a win win for bloggers. Blog owners win because they get excellent, free content for their site. Bloggers win because they increase links and subscribers to their blog. Readers win as they get a fresh and unique perspective on the topic.
Are you guest blogging? Are you looking for guest bloggers? Please leave a comment and share and if you’re on the hunt for guest bloggers feel free to leave your blog too.
Lilach
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86 Responses to Why you should be guest blogging
That’s a really great post Lilach and guest blogging is something I had not thought about, as I am just trying to get content on my own blog, but I can see how it can be beneficial. Especially if we could write a post on a high trafficked site.
You have certainly given me something to think about.
Dave
David Sharp recently posted..Network Marketing Success and Faith – The Second Step to Success!
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Thanks Dave:) Yes guest blogging is definitely the next step for you.
Twitter: lilachbullock
Agree with you in general Lilach. For most bloggers guest blogging is a great idea – depending on how you use your blog.
Personally my blog is my online business card. Several people have contacted me and wanted to guest blogg on it. But I always turn them down since my site is all about me.
Having said that I could however, I guess I could guest blogg myself. Have been asked to do so but so far haven’t done it.
Thanks Catarina. My blog is also very much about me so I’m very choosy about who does get to guest blog. For me it also gives me a day off – I blog Monday to Thursday every day and it means on Friday someone else gets to. They also get to drive additional traffic to my site so it works well.
Twitter: lilachbullock
I love guest blogging. I love being able to share with my circles the amazing people I’ve connect with in my life. Great post!
Monyelle recently posted..Why Aren’t You Following the 80/20 Rule?
Thanks Monyelle, I love it too. It’s a great way as you said to connect with like minded people. I’m just a huge fan of blogging and see guest blogging as a way to really take your blogging to another level:)
Twitter: lilachbullock
Thanks for the advice on myguestblog, I never knew how to actually become a guest blogger!
Duke Romkey recently posted..MLM Help: No More Sweaty Hands When Calling People
Twitter: dukeromkey
Thanks Duke, my pleasure:) Myguestblog is a great place to start but also approach others that you know and see if they would be interested in a reciprocal guest blog, that’s how I started:)
Twitter: lilachbullock
Lilach, really good post. I have considered this in the past, but just never persevered with it as was too busy with everything else. But what you say here about building your brand makes absolute sense!
All the best
Alan
Alan recently posted..How Bad Do You Want To Taste and Feel Success?
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Thanks Alan:) I really do recommend it if you’re blogging and want to take it to the “next level”. It’s great for brand awareness, SEO and what I’ve found it’s really helped me build some great relationships.
I recently chatted with someone on Skype who I hadn’t met before and he told me he had “seen me everywhere”! I take that as a compliment lol
Twitter: lilachbullock
I have recently started guest blogging on a number of sites and see a great amount of success from a branding perspective more so than rankings / traffic to my own sites. Perfect timing on this post as I was just doing some presenting today on how I can effectively guest blog on a client’s behalf.
Great post!
Thanks Craig:) Yes it’s great for brand awareness. Pleased my post was great timing for you – I love it when that happens to me too:)
Twitter: lilachbullock
Hi Lilach,
Those are all great pointers! I was intimidated to guest post for a long time but it has been a great experience and I would like to make a goal to guest blog more often. My guest posting frequency is pretty random now but I’ve heard some people say that once a month is a good goal.
Thanks!
Stacy
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Thanks Stacy, I know that feeling:) Once a month is is a good starting point, I’m now aiming for 1-2 a week.
Twitter: lilachbullock
Thanks for the great information Lilach. I saw a guest blogger on your site, but didn’t know much about it. I will definitely have to add that to my blogging since I blog everyday, and having a day off would be fun! You’re the best!
Val Heisey recently posted..Choosing a sponsor… when you’re ready to join an MLM
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Thanks Val:) Having someone guest post on your blog is definitely a great idea but what really makes a difference to your business is when you start guest posting on other people’s blogs:)
Twitter: lilachbullock
I’m not a guest blogger. But I wish to explore this option. Thank you for this post!
Now I have to find blogs to post to!
Joe Lee recently posted..Life Lesson That I Learned From Three Multi-Millionaires
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Thanks Joe:) Yes find blogs that are similar in your niche so that you can “share” the audience. Best of luck:)
Twitter: lilachbullock
Hi Lilach,
Great points you’re sharing here. I couldn’t agree with you more.
Guest posting is, without a doubt, one of the effective and powerful ways to generate laser targeted traffic, subscribers, recognition and quality backlinks to your blog.
You’re welcome to guest post on my blog btw
Best,
Mavis
Thanks Mavis:) Yes absolutely, I agree, it’s such an effective and powerful tool that has many benefits.
I would be honoured to write a guest post for you, thanks for the opportunity:)
Twitter: lilachbullock
Hi Lilach,
I have agreed for some time that guest blogging is a great way to generate traffic. I have a hard time identifying the niche my blog falls into, so I haven’t taken any concrete steps toward guest posting. I also have difficulty finding the extra time needed to write extra posts, since I’m a “part time blogger” for now. Thanks for reminding us about this aspect of traffic generation.
Lou
Lou Barba recently posted..Slow Miracles
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Thanks Lou:) I would work on finding out more about your readers of your blog and guest posting where they are reading.
I know what you mean about finding time to write extra posts for guest blogging, but trust me there is never enough time. You just have to make the decision to do it, whether it’s once a month or once a week and try and be disciplined to do it. I never thought I’d be able to write a blog once a day and came up with so many excuses and now I’m blogging every day… it’s hard work, as not only do I blog but I have to find the time to respond to comments too – not that I’m complaining of course:)
Twitter: lilachbullock
Great post Lilach, guest blogging is something that I’ve been considering for awhile now. It’s a great way to really increase your value in the marketplace, get in front of a new audience who may in turn become subscribers and offer more incoming traffic to your own site.
Thanks again for the informative post.
-Chante
Chante Epps recently posted..Blog Commenting: 5 Tips On How To Increase Them
Thanks Chante, well you’ve said all the reasons why you should be guest blogging so I hope you do it now:)
Twitter: lilachbullock
Lilach, this is a powerful tactic. I am yet to be a guest blogger and chase that. I do agree that yes it does give you more exposure. I love the functionality of your blog btw, I dunno if I told you that before.
John Moussan recently posted..MLM Reps… Never Give Up!
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Thanks John:) Yes I agree, it’s an incredibly powerful tactic that not enough people do and I’m guilty of not doing it enough in the past too!
Thanks for your great feedback on my site, I think you’ve mentioned it before but I’m happy to receive a compliment again:)
Twitter: lilachbullock
How timely! Just received confirmation accepting my first guest blog. I think this is a great opportunity for those with the discipline to stick to it, get the job done and, most importantly, be consistent with their follow-up promotion and participation with the readers they attract.
DrDeadline recently posted..Be honest with yourself.
Thanks and well done for your first guest blog:) It is a fantastic strategy but it does require discipline to get writing consistently. The benefits are so worth it though I think:)
Twitter: lilachbullock
Lilach,
Out of all the benefits of guest blogging the one on top for me is the exposure. Weather you wright an article or let someone else do so you win! This is defiantly something I am moving towards! Thanks for the great read!
~Becca
Rebecca Reddy recently posted..Abhyanga: Self Massage
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Thanks Rebecca, my pleasure:) And yes, a lot more exposure:))
Twitter: lilachbullock
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I have two more tips for guest blogging:
1. Link to articles within the blog that you are guesting on. This shows the blog owner that you read what they write.
2. Provide images to run with your post. Make sure you either hold the copyright or have the right to publish the image.
Guest blogging will likely become even more popular in 2012. Great article outlining how to go about it.
Lesa recently posted..New Business Goals for 2012
Thanks Lesa:) Appreciate your tips:)
I agree 2012 will become more popular with more and more people guest blogging:)
Twitter: lilachbullock
I have done a guest post once, but I never thought of it as a serious thing. Your post has made me think about it in a different light. This was very helpful.
Thanks Tisha:) Yes I highly recommend you do guest blog on a regular basis:)
Twitter: lilachbullock
A good post, thanks. I find if everyone helps each other out a bit then it drives each others traffic up. It’s a much better way of going about things then endlessly spamming. I enjoy guest posting, though, it is time consuming but when your deliver a great piece at the end it is very satisfying. However, the real task is actually getting a blog post. A lot of bloggers are not keen on it and can be quite defensive of their patch, as it were. I can understand in certain cases but other times some people’s posts just seem to be an ego-mania session.
Thanks Alex:) I agree and also enjoy guest posting. It is time consuming but then blogging smartly is but the benefits are so worth it:)
I will always take “competitors” guest blogs and likewise recipricate on their blogs, I don’t understand why people are as you say defensive over their patch. Much better to join forces and get some great content out and the beauty of it is that the readers are so much more targeted.
Twitter: lilachbullock
Guest blogging is probably the best way to build quality backlinks, targeted traffic and most importantly to build relations with other bloggers and their readers, guest blogging is certainly in the list of what I would like to do more in 2012, thanks Lilach…
Kostas recently posted..Fine Tuning Your Social Media Marketing Efforts
Thanks Kostas, I agree, it’s a very powerful marketing strategy which has many benefits:)
Twitter: lilachbullock
Thanks, Lilach. I’ve been wanting to do some guest blogging myself. This is some great advice!
Thanks Pete, my pleasure:)
Twitter: lilachbullock
Since I moved to WP, I have been focusing on establishing my brand as what I have seen in other blogs. Guest posting really helped you in a lot of ways like you will be known to some and people will start to follow your works
Herbert recently posted..Kurrently – Redefining Social Media Search Engine
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Thanks Herbert:) Yes by guest posting (and commenting) it really does help get you known and recognised with people in your niche.
Twitter: lilachbullock
Great tips, Lilach. I love your posts. They’re very informative and right on the money. As for me, I’d LOVE to start guest blogging AND have guest bloggers on my site. I’d say in about a month or so. So these tips are very timely. Cheers!
Srinivas Reddy recently posted..Insanely Productive
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Thanks Srinivas really appreciate your great feedback:) Looking forward to seeing your guest blogs:)
Twitter: lilachbullock
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I get a kick out of all the new and upcoming blog communities. some have fizzled and gone “poof” like Mybloglog. While others like BlogEngage thrive for the SEO niche. The community of my page gets the best from me because of my ability to remain and say what I want and not have to worry about being penalized.
I mean really how much can a person write about SEO and linking before you go out of your noodle?
tonygreene113 recently posted..10 Kindle Devices in 30 Days [FARA Giveaway]
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Thanks Tony:) Yes there are so many blogging communities (I need to write a blog post about it lol)
Appreciate your comment:)
Twitter: lilachbullock
Hi Lilach,
A fantastic post. I do guest blogging as well and they do work really well. If you compare it to writing and distributing articles to directories, guest blogging is much more effective.
You’ve written a very comprehensive list on what to do when you guest post on someone’s blog. Great stuff!
Alan Cheng recently posted..Article Marketing: How To Write An Article For Targeted Traffic
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Thanks Alan, my pleasure:)
I agree guest blogging is much more effective now than article distribution. It’s interesting to see the changes in SEO, a few years ago article marketing was fantastic and now guest blogging is overtaking…
Twitter: lilachbullock
All good pointers and great advice. Guest blogging is the better traffic generator IMO than articles which get little attention at all.
An industry topic Blog is excellent for resources in the same niche. We offer a guest blogging service for industry related topics explore more here http://www.veritas-consulting.co.uk/Guest-Bloggers.html
Would you be interested?
Thanks, appreciate your comment:)
By the way have you heard of Food Alert? I used to be their Training Manager many moons ago…
Thanks for the link re your blog and guest posting, I’ll check it out and come back to you:)
Twitter: lilachbullock
Great post, thanks Lilach and at the right time too. I keep saying I must spend time doing and receiving more gust blogs. This is the time to start
Twitter: divingjon
Thanks Jon:) Yes I’ve promised myself too to spend more time guest blogging:)
Twitter: lilachbullock
Truly very interesting facts about Guest Blogging Lilach. You have elaborated them very clearly.
*hats off*
Awesome Lilach.. Thanks a lot… Perhaps you would be interested to guest post at mine
Herbert recently posted..Ways to Identify and Tackle Click Fraud
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Thanks Herbert, appreciate your comment:) Thanks I’d love to write a guest post for you, will get in touch with you to discuss:)
Twitter: lilachbullock
Wow!! Im looking forward to this Lilach
Herbert recently posted..Ways to Identify and Tackle Click Fraud
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lol me too:)
Twitter: lilachbullock
In case I come up with a content, where will I send it for you to check it Lilach?
Twitter: bxunet
Thanks, you can submit your guest blog here http://www.socialable.co.uk/fan-post-friday/
Twitter: lilachbullock
You really did a great job Lilach on all the reasons why guest blogging has benefits that are a win, win for both. I started guest blogging last year, also enjoy inviting guest bloggers and can see the tremendous value as you mention here. By the way, would you like to guest blog on my site? lol (seriously!)
Lynn Brown recently posted..The Secrets to Writing With Your Reader In Mind
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Thanks Lynn:) I agree guest blogging is really a win win for both the guest blogger and the blogger. I think this will really grow in 2012 as many bloggers are starting to see the huge benefits.
I would love to guest blog for you, thanks for the kind invitation, will send you an email and connect with you there:)
Twitter: lilachbullock
Lilach,
You certainly make a good case for guest blogging. I have written blogs for many articles sites, including Examiner.com, ezinearticles.com, selfgrowth.com, yourtango,com, Boomer-living.com. It all takes a lot of time. I would say that it really depends upon how popular the site is that you are guest blogging on. Many sites do not get that many visitors or comments. And each of us has only 24 hours in a day – there is Twitter, FB, LinkedIn, Google+, our own blog site, emails…. If you have time left over, then guest blogging is a good idea.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
Dr. Erica Goodstone recently posted..The 3 Causes of All Relationship Problems
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Thanks Dr. Erica:) You’re right guest blogging is another timely job however I do see many benefits in it. I’ve also found that if you guest blog on smaller blogs then they tend to promote you much more than the larger blogs do… I guess there are pros and cons to both, if you can get on a larger site it adds credibility to you as well as the additional traffic.
Twitter: lilachbullock
Great tips, here, Lilach.
Guest blogging IS time-consuming, but the benefits are well worth it. You expand your field of exposure in your niche, so as you point out, it’s really important to confine your guest blogging to your niche. That’s where you’ll find the most appreciative audience, and the most likely residual benefit from your effort.
David Merrill recently posted..Fan Page Buzz | Traffic Generation Strategy
Thanks David:) Yes I agree guest blogging is time consuming but lets face it so is everything to do with online marketing. It takes time to get results from social media and blogging but if you have a strategy and like you say keep to your niche you will reap the benefits:)
Twitter: lilachbullock
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Lilach, I suppose I have looked at guest blogging the same way a kid who can swim looks at deep water. I can do it, I will feel better after I do it, but…. jumping in—getting started is the difficult part. There are so many details to attend to. I need to review your article….and….You will see my guest posts soon, I promise!
Twitter: davidsneen
Thanks David:) Yes guest blogging can be like that but once you start like anything it gets easier and just takes practice.
Looking forward to receiving your guest post – no pressure hehe lol
Twitter: lilachbullock
Thank you for this info! I’ve been curious about this and this info is a great starting point!
Twitter: soulsolopreneur
Thanks Jessica, my pleasure:) I hope you start to do some guest blogging now:)
Twitter: lilachbullock
Dear Lilach,
I just had my first Guest Blogging experience a couple of months ago and it was a LOT of fun! I was initially a little apprehensive because I wasn’t quite sure what I should be sharing, so I just brought “my best.” One of the bloggers I read often, Hajra, said that we should go in our best Sunday dress and do what we can to impress our host at their “dinner party.” I really loved the analogy there.
I found that the Guest Blogging experience brought a surge of new readers in my direction and helped me expand my reach.
If I may add a consideration to your list of “How should you guest blog effectively?” it would be this:
Help to publicize your Guest Blog! Yes, you have been offered a “free lunch,” but let people know about the Guest Blog and share those links widely. What I have been doing is also making a mini-post on my own blog where I let my own readers know about the Guest Blog appearance, then I link it back to the Guest Blog and Tweet it and share it widely on FaceBook and the like.
Cat Alexandra
Cat Alexandra recently posted..5 ways to use social proof to boost your business
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Thanks Cat for the comment and apologies for the delayed response. I couldn’t agree more that guest blogging helps publicise your blog and often creates an increase in traffic from new readers who are already loyal fans of other bloggers. You’re certainly correct about publicising it on the likes of Facebook and Twitter too, you need to get your blog out there and spread the word, and if that involves asking people to share it then so be it. Good luck with your blogging!
Lilach recently posted..The missing ingredients for success
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Thanks for this informative article it really helps make better sense of guest blogging.
Twitter: earthehosting.com
Thanks Jen your kind words are hugely appreciated
Lilach recently posted..The missing ingredients for success
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Thank you so much for sharing this information. Not only you wrote an intresting article, but also proven successful – with a quite high rating as your blog, you sure must be a professional.
Thanks ever so much for your kind comments, they are much and always appreciated, and I can only apologise for the late response. Well….I do try to be professional
Lilach recently posted..The missing ingredients for success
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Thank very much for this one. Have quite recently launched my own blog, which has been really well received. Guest blogging is something I hadn’t considered doing, but certainly will do now.
Vicki x
Twitter: Networkgirlie
Thanks ever so much Vicki for your kind words and apologies for the delayed response. Good luck with your blog and I hope that now you have considered the option of a guest blogger it will become even more successful ! All the best Vicki
Lilach recently posted..The missing ingredients for success
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Hi Lilach,
For me guest blogging has been the best strategy for me with regards to traffic, that and using CommentLuv
Guest blogging not only expands your reach, builds relationships, etc., it also says that the blogger granting you a guest post finds your writing of value and worthwhile, that gives you a lot of credibility among those reading your guest post.
Love your ingredients for a great guest post, especially #14. I like that
Thanks, Liz
Liz McGee recently posted..Deep Linking – Stop Linking To Your Home Page!
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Thanks Liz for the comment and apologies for the delayed reply. Fab to see another fan of Comment Luv
Absolutely Liz, you’ve got it in one! It does indeed build relationships but also gains you a lot of credibility. Good luck with the blogging !
Lilach recently posted..The missing ingredients for success
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I am planning on approaching a few people about being a guest blogger, as I thought this would be a good way to get more people reading mine? I have been doing it now for 7 months and not had any comments! Is this a good idea?
Twitter: holsamlife
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Guest blogging is a good way to build authority links quickly, not only you provide good content, the links that you get will get better recognition by the search engines. I think this is what Google likes to see with genuine authorship and author rank.
Twitter: kentchenseo