Grow Your Blog: Guest Posting Ettiquitte
One of the great ways to get yourself out there in the blogging world is, of course, guest posting.
As a guest poster, you get to meet and connect with other bloggers {a good thing in and of itself} who can also give you exposure to lots of potential readers who may not have come across your blog on their own. Of course, the host blogger gets something out of it too, which we’ll talk about in another post.
Here are some basic tips for guest posting:
How do I get chosen to guest post?
Every blog and opportunity is different. Just keep your eyes and ears open.
* The Simple Sign Up
Bloggers will often look for guest posters when they are running a series with a particular theme, as well as when they’re going to be on vacation from their blog for one reason or another. Oftentimes, they’ll put the word out via their blog, facebook, twitter, or emails that they’re looking for folks to cover a few dates for them. If you see something like that and are interested, respond right away and sign up!
* Reaching Out
If you’re particularly interested in posting on a certain blog, look and see if they have a section or tab somewhere on their blog about getting featured or guest posting. Many larger blogs will ask you to complete a form or submit info about yourself, your blog, and your idea. If you don’t see anything like that, send an email asking about the possibility. If you are the one reaching out, you should be prepared with an idea. Tell the other blogger what project/recipe/activity you’d like to share. Make sure it’s something that would be appropriate for their audience. If possible, include a photo. They are far more likely to accept your proposal if you have a specific plan that they can see and approve rather than if you just say, “I’d like to post on your blog sometime.”
How do I create and send a guest post?
The best way to do it is to go into your blog editor and type up the post as if you were going to publish it on your own site. Include all your photos and links as you normally would. Then, switch to HTML view, copy the code for the entire post, then paste it in an email to the host blogger.
What should I include in my guest post?
It’s always good to start off with a brief bio of yourself/your blog to introduce yourself to the host blogger’s readership. Including a picture of yourself or your family can be a nice touch. Then, it’s time for your tutorial or recipe. As you would on your own blog, include thorough and detailed instructions along with several photos. Make sure your photos are large and clear. Be sure you conclude your post, thanking the host blogger for having you and encouraging readers to visit you sometime. It’s okay to mention a specific thing you do on your blog, such as, “I’d love for you to stop by and share your own projects at my weekly Shine on Fridays party!” It’s also okay to add your social media links.
As always, definitely one of my favorite series! Great tips friend!
I’m a new blogger and have been asked to do a couple of guest posts, as much as I would like to it kind of scares me. My blog is about me learning, somethings come up awesome and some don’t! It’s okay to post the loser stuff on my blog because my readers know that’s what I am about, but I feel so much pressure presenting on other blogs that I’d be a mess. Thanks for the tips!
Great information about guest blogging. Thanks for sharing it with us. ;o)
Great advice. Thanks
I’m so glad you posted this! Firstly, I’ve never understood the actual ‘how to’ of providing a guest post, now I know to just send the code. Secondly, I dabbled in having a few guest posters while I was out of the country and half of them didn’t show. I always felt bad, like I should’ve done more to remind them. Glad to know it wasn’t my fault~
You are always so helpful! I actually think my guest post for you last year (oh my gosh, its been almost a year!) was my FIRST EVER. ♥ Thanks for being a gracious teacher!
I’ve only been blogging for 2 months and I’ve been trying to build up the courage to ask to be a guest blogger. This post answered all my questions and made it feel like a more manageable task for me. I guess the worst thing that happens is they say no to me. Right?
thank you for this post. We are pretty new at blogging and this was a very informative post!
Rachel
http://moresisterstuff.blogspot.com/
Phew! I was kind of nervous waiting for this post to see if I did okay with my first guest post on your blog. I think I followed proper etiquette. One question that I wasn’t sure about…..I knew not to post my guest post on my own blog, but what is the rule as far as posting to link parties? I did post the project to several and figured it would be okay because it was ultimately directing people to your blog too. Is that good that I did that, or should I have waited until I post it on my blog?
Awesome tips, as always Amy! 😀
Great post and great information. I have a link party tomorrow and would love for you to link this. You can find it at
http://www.adornedfromabove.com
Debi @ Adorned From Above
Great tips Amy!
Awesome! I try to sear ch the host blog a bit to include some links of theirs that are relative to the post. I had a blogger do that for me once, and I thought it was so nice of her. When Ireland her post and clicked on a few links she had included, I was flattered to see they went to a few of my posts on my blog.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on guest posting and building your blog with us at tip toe thru tuesday!
xoxo
Kim
This is a great post. great tips on guest posting! I always hesitate when it comes to responding to the reader’s comments. Is it what we’re supposed to do? Won’t the hosts get mad?
Natasha
{the Picablocks}
Very good post! I’ve not posted on other people’s blog before and would love to have that opportunity. Maybe I will just ask when I think of something.
Found your link on the Happy Hour Project party. Thanks so much for posting this. As a newish blogger it’s always great to ready posts like this.
Most of the times guest posts are very effective for blogs, you can get lots of visitors as well as traffics.
@Ruby i totally agree .. Blogs theses days are the drive on a good percentage of website traffic.
Good to see I’ve followed the correct etiquette when guest posting. Thanks for sharing this, Amy, especially as it’s a topic that doesn’t seem to be covered much.