Guest posting on blogs is one of the best ways to increase your site’s exposure. Though its benefits are undeniable, breaking into the guest posting arena can be intimidating. I have been doing a lot of guest posting recently, and wanted to share some tips for getting the most out of your guest posting opportunities.
1. Start Small – Most guest blog advice articles revolve around finding the biggest blogs and soliciting a guest spot. That may be far too intimidating for the beginnger blogger. Instead, start with your own circle. Watch the blogs you frequent regularly. I have found quite a few of my guest opportunities from calls on blogs I currently read. Also, let them know you are available. I offered my guest posting services in a blog post recently. I received a large response initially, and I am still getting requests from people first reading that post.
2. Keyword Research – If another blogger is kind enough to lend you their blog for the day, do not make them responsible for the SEO. Take a few minutes to do the keyword research as you would with your own posts. Bring them some additional traffic in return for their generosity.
3. Resource Box – Make the most of your resource box. Introduce yourself and let readers know your area of expertise. If your guest posts relates to another post on your blog, send the reader over to that post to learn more. If you would like them to sign up for your newsletter or download, tell them. Be clear in what you want the reader to do.
4. Ask for Referrals – If you would like to continue on your guest blogging venture, ask the blogger for referrals. Maybe they know of someone else who would be interested in your guest posting services. They may also offer you a regular guest contributor position.
Those are just a few tips to make the most of guest posting on blogs. Feel free to share your tips in the comments.
About Angie Nelson
Great tips for guest posting. I especially like your tip for doing the SEO for the blog you’ll be guest posting to.
Here’s my tip: Make sure you go over the blog you’ll be guest posting on. Most established blogs have a voice and you don’t want to be out of synch with the blog or it will sound like you’re from outer space. Even worse, your article won’t get read.
Also, don’t be overly self promotional. I have had people offer to guest post to blogs of mine that are nothing but screaming endorsements to buy this or that product or come to their blog. Those kinds of guest posts don’t get published on my blogs and I doubt other bloggers would want them either.
Thanks for the tip, Lisa. One more tip I forgot to add:
Drop by the blog during the few days following to check for comments and questions.
Thanks for this article — some great advice. I think actually writing the article is intimidating. You want it to be great, and send people back to your own blog. For me, it’s a tough challenge to keep up with my own blog, and write great guest posts since I also have two other jobs (home day care and children’s ministry at church). I would love to be a blogger full time, but I know it will be a little while. Thanks for the tips!
I’m sure you will get there, Lindsey! Thanks for stopping by.