Wanted you to know that your roses are getting tons of notice at
work. They are still very fresh and beautiful and everybody wants
to know who gave them to me. When I tell them there is another
dozen at home, they think you are one special daughter (and of
course, you are. But we don't need flowers to know that.)
I also got my Mother's Day card. It works on so many levels!!
It's a Dawg, it has coupons, (do they ever expire because I still
have a few from the 80's I'd like to cash in) and it's just so
darn cute.
Don't freak out if you visit and don't see the regular site. I'm just not happy that my categories aren't working anymore after a FAILED upgrade to 2.5.1 (from 2.5) so I'm randomly protesting by removing my theme. I'm weird quirky like that.
Thanks to Dawg for that super insightful post about guest blogging. Who knew there were so many rules to keeping the blogger, guest blogger, and readers happy?!
Speaking of Dawg, he made a new Cereal Wednesdaywithout me in it. Yay!!!
Speaking of breakfast, on Thursday both Dunkin' Donuts and McDonald's are giving things away. Dunkin' is giving away free 16 oz. iced coffees (no purchase necessary) from 10am-10pm, McDonald's is giving away southern style chicken biscuits from 7am-10:30am then chicken sandwiches from 10:30am-7pm (with purchase of a medium or large drink).
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.
I am taking this from Tense, although not playing by the rules exactly.
Rules:
1. Link the person who tagged you (^^^).
2. Mention the rules (<--------).
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours (...).
4. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger’s blogs letting them know they’ve been tagged (s-t-f-u spells no).
Bring on the quirk, little lady!!
1. I talk to myself every single day. I try to limit it to when no one’s around, or when it’s only family and friends who understand the state of my sanity, but that’s not always an option. If I just hung up from talking on the phone the probability of me saying at least one sentence to myself is 100%. The phrase I say after phone calls the most frequently is “I miss him.” (Yes, him.)
2. I like frosting but not cake. The only kind of cake I really like is a cake that is very chocolatey or doesn’t have flour in it. I’m all about the frosting. And REAL frosting, NOT BEST CRÈME/CREAM. Ugh, that shit is disgusting.
3. I randomly speak in French. Just for a couple sentences. And then I’m all done.
4. I have a freakishly strong affinity for both tofu and steak. In case you were not aware, those two items are diametrically opposed.
5. I don’t actually like computers, but I looooooooooove the concepts of general IT security, incident handling, disaster recovery, and business continuity. Like, a lot. It’s almost unhealthy how much I enjoy that shit.
6. I will randomly talk to strangers if I want to know something, but if strangers talk to me I will be standoffish and give them that “why the fuck are you choosing to speak to me?” look. And I will be ready to use my crotch kicking feet and temple punching fists just in case.
The Orlando set of photos is now online. If you are listed as a friend or family member in flickr you will see a few more photos than the average bear in that set, but otherwise you get to see all the most important ones anyway.
