3 Things to Learn about Guest Blogging

Write a Guest Post

Maybe you’ve heard the term “guest blogging” before; maybe you have even written a guest blog. It is actually quite simple. If you are a start-up or a small to medium business, you have some experience behind you and are looking to expand your business or get the word out about what you do and the ways you can help other people or companies.

Guest Blogging Is about Meeting Needs (and Not Just Yours)

It’s easy to dream about getting more followers, links, likes, etc.; but when it comes to guest blogging it is most important to know your audience.

Here is an actual email response from a site that accepts guest bloggers:

While I appreciate your efforts, it's not clear whether you are familiar with [our] community. We don't publish guest bloggers 'just' to help them gain a wider reach.

There are three things to learn from a rejection letter like this:

1. Begin with finding like-minded blog sites

Do not do a Google search for “Sites who host guest blogs”. Start with where you already are. I assume (which is never a good idea to do) that any potential guest-blogger is reading blogs and websites that are appealing to their own skills. As a blogger and marketing guy for small to medium businesses I enjoy reading the blogs from a wide variety of experts on smbceo.com. That is just one example; take the time to find your niche.

2. It’s about relationships

This rejection letter is clearly saying: You don’t even know us, why should we help you? Take the time to build a relationship. This takes time! It requires reading blogs, and commenting on blogs you agree and disagree with. Be known! A good introduction after taking time to invest in their blogs could look like this:  I have been following your website for few months now on a recommendation from a colleague. I noticed you cover different subjects regarding small businesses.

For example, I love customer service, and I love reading about different ways other people approach connecting with their customers or prospects. I believe that I can add value to both you and your readers. I have in mind a blog that would talk about four things to know about when dealing with customers. This blog has four points for business leaders and other people in any business that tells them how to treat customers and why. As it is with any business - we all deal with customers, otherwise - well, you already know we would all be out of business if it weren't for customers.

Here are links to other blogs that we have posted - they range from customer service, inbound marketing, social media, etc. Looking forward to partnering.

3. Match your expertise with people’s needs

What are you good at? What are you offering? Why would I want to post it on my blog site? Remember: You have something to offer, don’t be shy!

Is Guest Blogging Worth it And Does it Work?

The answer is: There is only one way to find out.

That is, you won’t know for sure until you try it yourself.

Now don’t get me wrong here, there is a science behind this, but this science relates to whether your content will be accepted or not and how to get it accepted.

Guest blogging is a lot like jumping over a river or a row of buses, or even the Grand Canyon. Sometimes your jump will be successful and you will gain a new audience for your own blog or even new customer(s), but just as Evil Knievel’s example shows sometimes you will break a few bones or will fall short – the important thing is to try and do your best. You won’t know until you try.

Final Thought

Make sure you are following the rules prescribed by the host so that you won’t get rejected right at the start. If they are asking for a 400-600 word post, don’t send in your awesome 1,200 word thesis on how Google+ is the next Facebook. If they want your picture in jpeg format – don’t send a gif. Pay attention!

Be encouraged. You have the knowledge and ability to share with people information and products that they need. Believe in yourself and take these few simple steps to become a well-respected guest blogger and expert in your field.

Eric Wagner

While Eric now focuses on internet marketing, he also has a background in web development. He loves being among the first to find out about new tech—and better yet, being a part of making that tech succeed. Eric is known to be a good listener, seeking to understand how each individual sees the world. He is a harmonizer in group settings, cultivating unity while constructing the overall goal and strategy. When he’s not busy helping i7 clients dominate the online marketplace, Eric enjoys drone videography (he’s got a UAV pilot’s license), woodworking, community service, and all things outdoors.

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