Hello citizens of Poppy World! Yes… this is not Poppy. This is in fact Dawg doing an impromptu guest post. I thought it was relatively fitting since I’m going to talk about… Guest Blogging.
The Pros of Guest Posting
There are quite a few pros to doing a guest post on someone else’s blog. Generally, it is something that is mutually beneficial for a variety of reasons.
The Pros of Guest Posting for the Host Blog
- New fresh content for your readers to enjoy
- New fresh readers on your blog for a day that may convert to some new regular readers
- The continuity of content continues although other things may be consuming your time
The Pros of Guest Posting for the Guest Blogger
- The opportunity to break free from any constraints you may feel on your own blog
- Increasing your identifiability among bloggers as an authority on the topic
- Exposure to a whole new audience of potential regular readers
The Etiquette of Guest Posting
Guest Posting successfully does not just happen. More often than not, it will require a deeper line of thought and preparation on behalf of both the Guest Blogger and the Blog Host. Failure to take these items into account may in fact lead to a situation that will cause adverse effects as opposed to the benefits that Guest Blogging offers.
The Responsibilities of the Guest Blogger
- Read previous posts on the Host Blog while keeping in mind the “voice” of the blog (EX. If you do not see the use of profanity, it may not be a welcome addition)
- Research what you are blogging about and include appropriate links, including to previous posts of your Blog Host
- Your Guest Blogging for a simple reason… because you have a unique voice different than the Blog Host’s voice. Make sure your post is original and not a copy of a previous post or an Internet Meme
- Be prompt and timely with readying your post
- Be prepared to respond to comments (if that’s what you do) in a timely manner. Generally within a day of the post is acceptable… but if it goes longer than a week, well you’ve lost the opportunity to engage some new people who may become your future regular readers
- Make sure your regular readers know that you are Guest Blogging, especially if your post there will be in place of your regular post
The Responsibilities of the Blog Host
- The Blog Host should try to set the Guest Blogger up with Author access to their blog. This way the “Post by______” credit is attributed correctly and the Guest Blogger can fine tune and tweak their post if need be
- The Blog Host should make sure that their regular reader’s are aware that there will be a Guest Blogger
- The Blog Host should make sure that if they moderate comments, especially comments from first time commentators, that either the Guest Blogger is able to approve the comments or the Blog Host is on hand to approve those comments. Nothing will piss a potential new reader off to a new blog than a comment not posted… and nothing will piss the Guest Blogger’s normal reader off than a comment not posted on a post they were encouraged to comment on
- The Blog Host should make sure to do a follow-up post, either on the topic of the Guest Blogger or at the very least thanking them for their post. Courtesy… it’s contagious
In Conclusion
In conclusion, Guest Posting and Hosting A Guest Blogger is generally a win-win situation as long as you follow the above guidelines. Of course, if you don’t, well then you may very well end up with less readers, pissed off bloggers, and the subject of a guest post about Guest Post Etiquette and not even know it.
LOL!
Bravo.
I would just like to say that I whole-heartedly agree with this post and that I hope you get 42 comments on it.
And I think it’s hilarious that we simultaneously posted, exactly at 12:42pm.
You know…you are almost as pretty as Poppy.
Almost.
@Fab: *staring at my desktop picture* Nope, he’s just as pretty as Poppy.
ROFLMAO. I wonder where you got your inspiration for this post.
Um, I hosted a guest post today, and while I probably didn’t follow all of those rules, I’m pretty sure I didn’t break any that would have upset either of you, so I’m just going to assume that wasn’t directed at me. (Gee Stef, paranoid much?)
It would have been hilarious if we’d turned on moderated comments for just. this. post.
Stef, I assure you this post has nothing to do with you.
Does that actually make you feel better? Hmm.
Mike-
Sybil-
Turnbaby-
Avitable- :takes bow:
Poppy- It’s a cosmic connection thing babe…
Mr. Fab- Almost?
One day… one day… you will see my true beauty shine…
Shelli- Why I haven’t the slightest idea!
Stefanie- Oh no, it wasn’t you! Of course… if you want it to be… it could be I guess… but I doubt it.
Poppy- I will be awaiting the post thanking me for guest posting on your blog. Really. Any day now. Really.
I see through your ‘dawg on’ doggone charade. This is NOT DAWG! I call BS.
There’s NO way that Dawg would have misused the word “your” in the 3rd bullet of the Guest Blogger responsibilities.
I feel violated.
(btw, sometimes I’m willing to pay to feel this violated, so keep it up!)
Wahdork, shows you how much you actually pay attention over at APODB. He always misspells “you’re” as “your”. It’s one of his adorable quirks.
Whall- It’s true… misusing “your” in place of “you’re” is my grammatical kryptonite.
I’ve decided to start guest-blogging on my own blog!