Every now and then, everyone gets killer article ideas. What do you do with them? You have to figure out if you should post the article on your blog, or try and get it on a site like Problogger, Dailyblogtips, Robs Web Tips or some other site you’re networked with.
The question we all must face is this – “Is it worth showing the article to my limited group of readers, or should I try and market it on a very popular blog where it can be seen by more eyes?” In the long run, it probably seems like it would be better guest posting it, because you’ll achieve a lot more traffic, get a link, and some publicity.
If you decide to post it on your site, there really wouldn’t be that much of a difference. Many of the bloggers reading this aren’t popular enough to get an article on the top page of Digg, or to get smashed by StumbleUpon. So the question still is, is it worth posting it on your site, when it could get your site seen by so many new readers elsewhere.
The key is balance. Split it 50/50. So send some guest posts, and the others you post on your blog. Look at it like this, if you’re not posting good content on your site, then you’ll lose your readership at your site. But if you don’t continue to market your site, then it won’t continue to grow. If you DO decide to guest post it, and then get traffic to your site, but have no great content to offer them once they get there, you’ll STILL lose readers.
Now you may disagree with me on this, being on either side. But I think you need to do at least some of your great ideas as guest posts, because the chance to write on a site like Problogger, or even a smaller one like TheNetFool, is too good to pass up. However, you have to be very careful with this, because you don’t want to deprive your readers of a quality article without good reason. So here are some tips for great guest posting.
1. Read this post.
Guidelines for Guest Posting
2. Pick the top blogs, and send the article to them.
If they reject it, you can always send it to another one, though you may want to consider rewriting the parts they didn’t like.
3. Don’t get discouraged if they reject your post.
Every blogger is different, just like every blog is different. So everybody will write differently than others. You may have written a good article, but his style may just be different.
4. Read some of the blog’s posts before you send your post.
Match the style of the writer, without destroying your identity. You want to appeal to his readers, so you want to be somewhat similar. But you also want them to like your site, and if your style is totally different, they may not like that. Make sure you are you, without being to unlike the admin. But remember, he wants guest posts because he wants a different perspective, and some freshness, so don’t change who you are, be unique but smart.
5. Try to develop a relationship first.
It doesn’t have to be big but if you can have talked or emailed before this, it helps break the ice some. It’s always nice if your first interaction is you wanting something from him. I realize this isn’t always possible, but when it is, it will certainly help your chances of being accepted.
6. Try to link to the article in a blog post from your site.
Soon! Not only is this like a little thank you to the blog owner, you can refer your readers onto the blog post, so that they don’t miss out on the article.
7. Read up on other people’s emails that got them accepted.
Here are a few examples from Carlocab, and howtomakemyblog.
8. Focus on the email as much as you do on the post.
A majority of guest posts get rejected based on the email, and the posts don’t even get read. You think Problogger or John Chow have the time to read every guest post that gets sent to them? They read the email and figure out if the guy is worth their time, and then if they like the email, they read the post. Without a good email, your post won’t even get read.
I hope these tips are helpful for you. Make sure to subscribe to my RSS feed, so that you can get updates on how successful it is.
ye, that is helpful!
thanks for your good tips!
Nice article! Writers should have no fear in submitting articles to the major blogs on the web. What’s the worst thing that can happen? New content for their website and business experience.
I would say that the percentage of blog articles to be placed on a webmasters site depends on the age and size of the site. A new webmaster needs to have a base.
.-= Joseph Drouillard´s last blog ..Alliance Investment Management Just Launched =-.
Good tips Don, really. Guest posting is on the top of my list for this year and starting soon. I hope to do plenty of it as I work on my new theme.
I personally prefer to look at is as different eyes instead of just more. Along that note, I wouldn’t automatically jump on “big blogs” either. I’d go for blogs with a like minded readership, if they happen to be big, then all the better.
.-= Dennis Edell´s last blog ..Welcome Aboard Part 2! All The Info You’ve Been Waiting For… =-.
Thanks Dennis.
BTW – when are you going to send me the info for plugging the new site?
i think that this idea would help the new and old webmasters very much, i’m thinking to apply it in my blog but first i should build a good relationship with the other bloggers .
.-= Money Academy´s last blog ..what is your idea about Advertising ? =-.
“BTW – when are you going to send me the info for plugging the new site?”
Holy crap, ya know I totally forgot about that. lol
I’m wondering how much I want done before I send those out.
.-= Dennis Edell´s last blog ..Welcome Aboard Part 2! All The Info You’ve Been Waiting For… =-.
Enjoyed the article. I have thought about guest posting which might even mean getting a link from high traffic sites back to my own.
Great post, great tips. I really like the #7 example email, it just makes me want to put my name on it and send it out to get all my articles approved.
Great tips to follow. Being professional and showing them there?s more to come I think are the most important. You need to give them a great article, that makes them want to come back. And then make sure you don?t disappoint.
A relationship with the blogger you intend to guest post for is the absolute number 1 tip.
Make sure you revise your articles too like 4 times!
Zatch – Guest posting is as close as your going to get at “guaranteed visitors”…there is a very high percentage that at least some of those readers will click your link.
You can’t really say that with bookmarking.
.-= Dennis Edell´s last blog ..Would You Like a FREE Banner Ad Position? =-.
Hi Weng,
Nooooo, I’d be STUNNED if ANY host let a guest cut the article like that; I know I won’t allow it for sure. That’s just rude.
OK, nothing is ever guaranteed or assured, which is why I put it in quotes.
But, as I said, a really well written article, placed on a blog with responsive readers, is as close as you’re going to get to guaranteed.
I’ve had guests tell me they received more traffic from my blogs then several other blogs put together.
.-= Dennis Edell´s last blog ..Holy Power Outage Batman, Not Again! Yep, Another Two Days Shot to Hell… =-.
that is very interesting in that poses some questions for me for my next article writing right now. I will just have to make sure that it knocks people socks off so the results in a lot of traffic back to my site which is the only purpose of putting on someone else’s site in the first place.
.-= Brendan @ Online Marketing Consultant´s last blog ..StumbleUpon Advertising: Worth It? =-.
I have to agree that posting articles on other blogs is often better than actually adding them to your own blog. The long term results will definitely be higher. The tips given in the above article are great! Thanks for sharing!
This is some very helpful advice. It’s really important to say to some that they shouldn’t get discouraged over rejections. There are so many different people and opinions out there, not everybody is going to like the same things.
Hello Everyone!
My name is STEEQUEOPISTE and I’m from Skive, Denmark. I do sales (internet) for a living however I like auto racing and motor cross. I have two beaufiful childeren Sasha and Melia. I’m looking forward to being a member of this board.
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STEEQUEOPISTE