As a blogger with a “real” job outside of writing, maintaining my blogs can sometimes present a challenge. Especially when inspiration is lacking. I have turned to guest posts over the years to keep content on my blogs. More so lately (sorry for my absence). Some guest posts have attracted a lot of traffic and others were not as successful. Some of this is my fault by being a bit lenient on my acceptance of guest posts.
A couple years ago, I decided to create a page with guidelines on guest posts. Over time, these guidelines have changed, but the page has not moved. I do not think the page is difficult to find since the title “guest posts” sits on the navigation bar at the top of the blog. However, I still get people emailing me asking if I accept guest posts. As if they have never been to the site, even though they claim they have been “reading it for a long time.” Doubtful.
I am not trying to be rude, but before you email a blogger about guest posts, take a few minutes and see if there are guidelines already in place.
Occasionally, I do have guest bloggers who actually read the guidelines and follow them, making my life a bit easier. As I state on my page, I LOVE guest posts. I just ask you follow my guidelines. The guidelines are not unreasonable and pretty easy to adhere to. Over time, I have not been as strict about sticking with these guidelines as some bloggers are. Maybe I should be.
I would like to continue to accept guest posts, but maybe I need to further clarify what I am looking for. And maybe I also need to stand by these guidelines. This is not to be a mean, unreasonable editor, but as everyone knows, Google is not messing around. No more tricky backlink schemes, black hat (or even gray hat) SEO tricks, and no more poor quality content.
This is not new for me. I have always thrived to maintain that on my blog, long before I even knew how to spell, “search engine optimization.” Where I have gotten a little lazy is on these methods used by my guest bloggers.
Things That Bug Me From Guest Posters
- Tricky links. I don’t mind links, but they have to be relevant. Period. And the MAIN message of the post is to help, inspire, or inform my readers, NOT to insert sneaky backlinks. Period. Not to discuss your website or business, which is unrelated to my blog’s message.
- Not following guidelines. I already mentioned this, but I am amazed at how many people have either not read the guidelines or simply do not follow them.
- Submitting Topics Unrelated. Sometimes I will get posts that are obviously just to advertise the contributor’s business. And in shape or form fits in with the theme of my blog. Please stay relevant.
- Poor quality writing. My blog is not a content farm or a place to post low quality PLR just to get a backlink. Please check your spelling and grammar before you submit. In addition, generic articles without much value will most likely be turned down.
Things I Love From Guest Posters
I don’t want to focus on the negative – so here are the things I love from guest posts!
- Follows my Guidelines. Everything from the topic, the quality, and the small administrative guidelines I post. When someone follows that, I am thrilled to post it!
- Reads My Blog. While being a regular reader is not a requirement, I can tell who has read my blog by the topics they submit. If you are not a regular reader, at least spend a few minutes reading my blog, so you can get familiar with the topics, tone, and audience.
- Submits A Helpful, Relevant Article. When someone submits a post that is right on target of the theme of my blog, I am more likely to accept the post.
- Quality, Quality, Quality. This is first and foremost when it comes to guest posts. This is now more important than ever. Quality not only means proper spelling and grammar, but useful, readable, and helpful information.
Some time in the near future, if I receive a QUALITY, RELEVANT, PROFESSIONAL, INFORMATIVE guest post, there is a good chance I may pay the writer. It won’t be much, and it won’t be all posts. But I think it is time to attract the kind of writing my readers deserve from quality writers. Stay tuned.
Related articles
- Three Annoying Reasons Why Guest Bloggers Waste Your Time (famousbloggers.net)
- How To Dominate Google By Guest Posting (johnchow.com)
- Rules For Guest Blogging (connectedworldmedia.com)
About Julie McElroy
I feel the same way. I wish they just follow every guideline so everything will just be perfect. But nonetheless, I am still thankful for their efforts.
Tricia Lary recently posted..Indoor chaise lounge chairs
Julie, I have been guest blogging for almost an year now, with a god success! I have ever really used a formula but have always read the blog’s ‘Terms & Conditions’ very seriously.
As fas using the tricky link is concerned, I just dont use them, I request for link only in the Author resource box. This helps me in a lot of ways, the blog owner doesn’t think that I am trying to push anything, and the commentors, who find my blog interesting, only leave a comment there!
Cathy Kerr recently posted..insurance marmalade
Thanks for your input! Yes, I don’t usually allow links in the body, unless it links to a helpful site, no affiliate links though.
A number of guest post plugins are available for download from the WordPress Plugin Directory.Thanks for sharing some info..
Gracie recently posted..redpin real estate
I’ve written quite a few guest posts throughout the past few years, and only once have I come across a website where the guidelines posed a problem for me. What was the problem, you ask? Well, I could barely read them! No joke! They literally had bad grammar, poor punctuation, and numerous misspelled words in their guidelines! NEXT!!!
I’ve been trying to figure out how to build high-quality backlinks, and writing guest posts is one of the methods that really intrigued me. I was doing guest posts before I even had a blog. Now that I do, guest posts excite me! I mean, I love writing! What better way to build backlinks than by doing something you love? Many people are so focused on getting paid for their work that they fail to realize that guest posts can help provide traffic and exposure.
Emilia recently posted..3 More Unusual Ways to Earn Cash from Home
Thanks for commenting! Guest posts is certainly one way to build backlinks, but I think finding blogs in the same niche makes the most sense. I have had people try and put links to websites completely unrelated to my blog, just for the backlinks alone. Glad you understand the value of guest posts. Please let me know if you are ever interested in doing a guest post on my blog! =)
Linking is part of the relationship in internet world but sneaky backlinks is scary and look questionable. Be careful with this site.
fred recently posted..iPad joysticks, which one?
I agree that guest blogging is a sure shot way of success, in getting traffic and backlinks both! I also read the T&C carefully and trust me I have never really encountered this problem of Bad grammar so far! I think whatever the blog owners want to say, they can effectively mention it in the T&C!
Cathy Dullea recently posted..Internet TV Channels
I’m thinking to start guest posting soon. These guideline will help me understand what webmasters really want in Guest Posts.
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Laura recently posted..Implants and Self-confidence
I want to submit a guest post on your blog. So, this article is very important to me. Absolutely i will read your guidelines for guest post and follow all the rules. I will make quality post on your blog. Thanks for your informative article.
Elian Junior recently posted..CelebsTaped
Hello,
With the coming of Google Penguin, there has been a growing emphasis on the related content posting and this has made guest posting all the more important way of making and collecting the backlinks. All you have to ensure that the grammar is good and the T&Cs will take of themselves.
Thanks
Aditya
Aditya recently posted..Now Manage Multiple Files Extensions with OfficeSuite 6
I do agree with you! However, there are times when guest posters no longer follow guidelines in the long run which becomes really annoying at times.
Elena Anne recently posted..Vegan Health Concerns
I do guest posting and I make sure that I follow the guidelines. I also treat it as my own blog post as well. It’s very important to be consistent and to have quality articles when you’re doing guest posts since it also affects the reputation of your blog site as well.
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