As someone who is involved in blogging and all things related to it, you probably come across a lot of information from various sources. This would normally be a good thing, but the problem is that not all the information that comes your way is accurate or up-to-date. As with virtually everything related to the Web, there are a lot of misconceptions out there surrounding blogs and blogging.
In the hopes of clearing some of the confusion related to guest blog posts, here are some secrets that I feel would be beneficial to all readers.
Secret #1: A guest blog post is a team effort
If you are accustomed to blogging by yourself, one thing that might surprise you about guest blog posts is that it takes at least two people to accomplish. This means you will usually have to work with one other person and in some cases, even 2 or 3 others. Most sites will also have a content manager that you will have to get approval from, but it is the site owner who usually has the last word. Guest blog posting really is a team effort, and you will have to learn to work in a team setting. In such a scenario, effective communication and flexibility are essential skills to have.
Secret #2: Research is a must with guest blog posts
Research is an especially important aspect of guest blogging. If it is your first time to guest blog, you will first have to determine the niches you will want to write in. After that, you will have to look for blogs in those niches. The next step is to figure out what type of content attracts the most comments. Of course, you also have to make sure that the content you post will be similar in tone and quality to the posts on the site.
Secret #3: Tracking your guest blog posts is a good thing
After you have started networking and have gotten your name out there, start up a record of all your guest blog posts. This will come in handy when you want to expand, and it will also allow you to reference your previous work if necessary. A record of your posts will also help keep you organized and let you know important details such as when certain posts are live and when you need to make a comment or promote your posts.
Secret #4: There is no magic formula for guest blog posts
There is no set of methods or a magic formula that will allow you to create perfect guest blog posts or help you accomplish your goals 100%. Sure there are clear cut rules, policies, and “must-do’s” when it comes to guest blog posts, but that’s not quite the same as a magic formula. You simply can’t break it down to a formula such as: epic blog post + A list blog = tons of traffic. The reality is that it will not always work that way for everyone. Think about it this way: if there was a magic formula for guest blog posting, everyone would likely use that same method, eventually making it worthless. As it is, the only really surefire way to success is through hard work, trial and error, and a continuous effort to improve.
Secret #5: You need to have a strategy before you begin guest posting
The “shotgun” approach simply doesn’t work with guest blog posting. You will have to come up with a specific strategy and have a clear-cut plan in place before you actually start. This will also help you stay focused on your objective and increase your chances of achieving your goals. If you are really serious about guest blog posting, you simply must have a well-defined plan of attack.
Secret #6: Your work isn’t done just because your guest blog post has been accepted
Quite the contrary. In fact, in some ways, the real work begins after your guest blog post has been accepted. If you really want to become a successful guest blogger, you will have to put in the work in order to make the experience as beneficial as possible for everyone concerned. After the post has gone live, you will have to be proactive in terms of actively commenting on the blog, promoting it on your email list, and announcing it through social media channels. Don’t forget to write a “thank you” note to your host as well!
Secret #7: Guest blog posts work hand-in-hand with social media
Social media is a highly effective tool for helping you get in touch with a network of like-minded bloggers. You can use for it anything from following and retweeting posts to commenting on Facebook pages, or even posting something from your own blog. Social media also provides a great way to break the ice and let other bloggers know who you are. In fact, social media can help you start communication with other bloggers, helping you avoid the awkwardness of asking for a guest blog post. Social media will also help you promote your post once it’s published.
This is it for now. Stay tuned for the next set of useful tips for guest blog posts.
About the Author
Mikhail Tuknov is a president of Infatex.com, a full service Internet marketing and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) company offering results-driven services and exceptional customer support.