Guest Bloggers
Read the BlogOnExpo PowerPoint that Accompanies this Session Here
In blogging, it is all about the connections you have. Generally speaking, if you know the big players in your industry/niche, you will have a much easier time increasing your blog’s readership. One of the main advantages in making connections with other bloggers is guest blogging. Guest blogging is when you make a post on another blog, and include a byline with your name and a link to your blog. Often times, if you can get featured on a major blog, your site will get a significant amount of visitors and if your content is good and the blog is updated frequently, readers will come back for more. It is also good for the blogger whose blog you are writing for because it gives him/her a free post, and it is good for the readers of this blog as it provides a fewsh viewpoint and opinion. Guest blogging is a win-win-win situation.
So, how do you get started with guest blogging? Well, its quite simple. Once you have some quality content on your blog, find the contact information (e-mail addresses, work phone numbers, etc.) of the large bloggers in your niche. Write them an e-mail or give them a call and pitch them a few storiy ideas that you think they might be interested in. Point them to some examples of your best writing on your blog. You are not alwaysa going to get a “yes”, but chances are some bloggers will take you up on your opprortunity if you can right helpful/thoughtful/insightful posts? Who doesn’t want free quality content?
However, guest blogging doesn’t have to be only about you hoping that the big players in your industry will allow you to make a post on their blog. Partnering with growing blogs in your niche can also be very beneficial. You write a post with a byline on their blog and they do the same onyour blog. This way, you are promoting your blog and at the same time getting a free post in return. If you can make strong connections with other people, if their blog becomes successful, you can often get them to feature your posts since you have already gained their trust.
In conclusion, it is much easier to become successful by forming friendships, than it is to go at it alone. John Reese made an excellent post on the the importance of friends in the industry at Income.com.
Below, is one of the questions we asked Problogger Darren Rowse relating to guest blogging.
5. Often times you have guest bloggers post. In your own opinion what are the main advantages of this? What advice do you have for someone who wants to guest post on a blog like yours?
Well, I don’t have to write the post and it gives the readers a different voice and different opinion. I look for guest posts from people I know or people I have heard about. It is important to build a relationship with a blogger first before you ask to make a guest post. You also want to show previous writing samples and pitch multiple ideas for the topic of a guest post. Also, don’t always expect that you will get a “yes”.
What do some A-List Bloggers say about guest posting? Follow the links below to find out.
