Perhaps you've been blogging for a while and have yet to meet your goals. Your stats are stagnant, and your comments are... well...almost non-existent.
Or it could be that you're a real blogging hit, but would simply like to increase your exposure and your influence.
Either way, guest blogging is the ticket!
But make no mistake about it. True success requires a systematic approach.
Here are a few ways to get the most bang out of your blogging efforts.
1. Have goals and a game plan. For instance, I decided some time ago that my time would be best spent if I did some blogging for free and some for pay. As a "professional writer" it made sense for me to devote at least some of my pursuits to paying gigs, and blog for free for friends or worthy causes that couldn't afford to pay. For each blogger it might be different. But the clearer you are on where you want to go, the faster you'll get there. I love blogging, but who says you can't get paid for doing what you love?
2. Be strategic in your efforts. There are literally thousands of Blogs out in the blogosphere. Of those, there are probably hundreds that accept guest posts. As a good rule of thumb, you should target those that have a good following, a PR ranking of 3 or above, or minimally those that have excellent content. As they say, "You are judged by the company you keep."
3. Always submit your best work. You never know who might be reading. I have actually gotten requests from other blog owners after reading my posts at other sites. So do your best to do your best!
4. If you're wondering which sites to target, consider those that you read regularly and admire. Chances are if you're impressed with the Blog, others are too. To be certain that a Blog accepts guest posts visit their site and see if there's a heading like "write for us" or "guest post guidelines". Read and respond accordingly. What have you got to lose?
5. Have realistic expectations. It's unlikely you'll be an overnight success, nor will you be guaranteed that the audience will engage you with a lot of feedback, nor will you make six figures in six months. Don't believe the hype. A lot depends on the Blog culture, the niche area, the reputation of the site, and the topic addressed. Don't get discouraged, get determined.
And last but not least, have fun! It's a great way to connect with great people and increase your visibility. And done right, you may even land a gig in the process!
Wouldn't that be icing on the cake? :-)
Interested in guest blogging at this site? See the guidelines listed in the right margin under "PAGES."
Another great site for endless blogging opps is http://myblogguest.com/
I'd like to know...Pen & Prosper readers, have you ever been a guest blogger at other sites? What was the experience like?
Image: graur razvan ionut
Hi Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteAs always, great tips here.
I once was left with a bad taste in my mouth because of certain experiences I had with guest posting. So much so that I decided that I would not accept guest posts neither would I do any guest posts. I got over it, but learned valuable lessons from the experiences.
Some of those lessons are what you have shared in your post. Now, I am a bit more careful and only do things that I feel good about doing.
Guest posting is definitely a great way to meet and connect with others.
Take care,
Evelyn
Evelyn,
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear from you again. I'm glad you have gotten over whatever negatives you've experienced; as I highly recommend guest blogging (both receiving and giving).
I've met some terrific folks as a result. Also, it's a relatively new "arena" where the rules vary from spot to spot.
Thanks for stopping by and chatting. :-)
I have submitted a couple guest posts and they have brought me a few readers, so it's definitely worth it.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I learned from Blog Expo that the key to blog success is great content that attracts and keep viewers. And most bloggers do not make money directly from content unless they are writing reviews on their sites. Most money is made from affiliate marketing and guest engagements.
So, it really does take time and commitment and a lot of promotion to get your name known in the blogosphere.
Marcie,
ReplyDeleteThis is good info. Thanks for sharing it. And much continued success!
Thanks for this helpful info, Jennifer. I've been meaning to make time to write and submit guest posts. My first one will appear in December, so these tips are timely!
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend,
Karen
Hi Karen,
ReplyDelete...And when will yours be appearing here, did you say? :-)
Thanks for hangin' out here today.
This is my first visit to your blog Mam! i am really impressed the way you blog ! i find you from the book coming soon The Fine Art of Blogging
ReplyDeleteAwais,
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by! Welcome! We're glad to have you here. :-)
Jennifer: Great post. I agree that guest posts are super important and they allow you to really expand your blogging horizons. I thought the strategies you gave for the way to approach guest posting were all very helpful. I do think the more and more you can do it, the better. I think the key is to make certain you always have a sincere desire to submit high quality posts that will interest the readers of the blog you are submitting to. Always focus on the benefit you are providing to others and then other benefits just naturally arise and flow to you.
ReplyDeleteExcellent points, Sibyl. It's true---having the right focus will ultimately yield the right results. Thanks for your time and input.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteGalatasaray don't need 'luxury' Podolski – Aysal
Agen Bola Terpercaya Cityholidaybet Reported - Galatasaray will not be making a bid for Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski, the Turkish giants' president has confirmed.
Reports this week had suggested the Gunners were willing to sell the Germany international, who has failed to establish himself as a first-team regular since arriving at the Emirates Stadium in the summer of 2012.
But while Galatasaray chief Unal Aysal admited he held talks with his manager Cesare Prandelli about Podolski, he revealed the Italian had urged him not to make a move for the 29-year-old.
"I asked Cesare Prandelli if we should target Lukas Podolski," Aysal said. "Prandelli told us that Podolski would be a luxury transfer and that he isn't required."As a result we didn't pursue the matter further."
ReplyDeleteGalatasaray don't need 'luxury' Podolski – Aysal
Agen Bola Terpercaya Cityholidaybet Reported - Galatasaray will not be making a bid for Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski, the Turkish giants' president has confirmed.
Reports this week had suggested the Gunners were willing to sell the Germany international, who has failed to establish himself as a first-team regular since arriving at the Emirates Stadium in the summer of 2012.
But while Galatasaray chief Unal Aysal admited he held talks with his manager Cesare Prandelli about Podolski, he revealed the Italian had urged him not to make a move for the 29-year-old.
"I asked Cesare Prandelli if we should target Lukas Podolski," Aysal said. "Prandelli told us that Podolski would be a luxury transfer and that he isn't required."As a result we didn't pursue the matter further."
ReplyDeleteMuller: We had to grit our teeth
Agen Bola Terpercaya Cityholidaybet Reported - Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller has admitted his side were made to dig deep to beat Wolfsburg 2-1 in their opening Bundesliga game.
The Bavarians got their Bundesliga campaign off to a winning start thanks to goals from the Germany international and Arjen Robben either side of half-time, though Ivica Olic's strike ensured a nervy ending.
However, Muller believes that the right team won on the night but conceded that there was plenty of tension in the Bayern camp.
"[Bayern's World Cup winners] tried to play like we did in the final," he is quoted as saying by the Bundesliga's official website.
"It wasn't that different - there was plenty of tension but I think the best team won. We pulled together and managed to grit our teeth for the last 10 minutes."
ReplyDeleteFalcao thanks Manchester United fans after 'fantastic' debut
Agen Bola Terpercaya Cityholidaybet Reported - Radamel Falcao has thanked Manchester United fans for their support and admits it was "fantastic" to make his debut in Sunday's 4-0 win over QPR at Old Trafford.
The Colombian superstar insists he enjoyed the moment despite failing to find the net himself, and hopes United will continue in the same winning vein after an underwhelming start to the season.
"I am very happy for this victory and the support was great," he told the club's official website. "I want to continue that way. I want to say thank you to the fans and I enjoyed that a lot, this match. It was fantastic. I almost scored. The goalkeeper was good. I hope to score the next game.
"It felt good to make my debut here at Old Trafford and I am happy to get the win. I am enjoying this moment. It is an extraordinary stadium, a legendary stadium. Bit by bit, we will gel together as a team and the new players will feel more comfortable. I hope everything continues for us like it has."
ReplyDeleteGervinho signs Roma contract extension
Agen Bola Terpercaya Cityholidaybet Reported - Roma have announced that Gervinho has signed a new contract that will keep him at the Serie A side until the summer of 2018.
The Cote d'Ivoire international's existing deal was due to expire in 2017, but Roma confirmed on Monday that the forward has penned a new four-year deal to recommit his future to the Stadio Olimpico outfit.
"Roma announces that it has signed an agreement with the footballer Gervais Yao Kouassi [Gervinho] for an extension to the contract now in force, whose nature was due to expire on 30th June 2017," a statement on their official website read.
"The new agreement is a four-year deal, expiring on 30th June 2018."
ReplyDeleteZidane: Benzema must score more
Agen Bola Terpercaya Cityholidaybet Reported - Zinedine Zidane has warned Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema that he must score more often if he is to silence his critics.
The France international struggled for form towards the end of last season and has netted just once this campaign, with Madrid losing two of their opening three La Liga matches.
Along with captain Iker Casillas, Benzema was jeered and whistled at during their 2-1 loss to Atletico Madrid on Saturday and Zidane - coach of Madrid's reserve team - has urged the 26-year-old to step up his game.
"He's the main striker at Real Madrid but he has not scored recently. The critics will always be there," Zidane told RMC Sport.
"He must score with Madrid and with France and he is aware of that. He knows the kind of player he is and he knows what is expected of him."