Guest post: On Guest Blogging by Allison Finney

Tonight’s guest blog post is brought to you by online writer Allison Finney.

On Guest Blogging

It’s rewarding to share your knowledge in a forum that deviates from your customary catalogue. Speaking as a writer within the energy industry, but I’ve always considered it an eye-and-ear-opening experience to hop into a discourse that loosely relates, but ultimately concatenates with a new audience. As a blogger, the best way to broaden yourself in such a way is via guest post.

Guest posting, however, is a delicate art. There’s a certain tact and comportment you need to show around the blogosphere if you’re expecting to swap blog posts, or better yet, strike up a real relationship with some other online writers. Here are five tips to keep in mind while you’re reaching out to other bloggers about a guest post:

Be human. Generally, people enjoy correspondence with other friendly people. People don’t enjoy correspondence with spambots – no matter how friendly. Forget about sending a stock note to hundreds of bloggers that fall on the outskirts of your realm of expertise. Instead, think about some areas where you can really add value. Reach out in smaller numbers, and do it with a more personalized approach. Take time to read a few of their posts and cater to their preferences.
Be humble. Not everyone is interested in what you have to say; that’s the reality of our ever-expanding web space. If someone doesn’t get back to you, or isn’t interested in an article you propose, don’t keep harping on it. Sometimes, it just wasn’t meant to be. Don’t sully your reputation by being argumentative or bothersome. Move on and find someone that is interested in working with you.
Be interesting. Good, solid guest posts are marked by the page views and shares they inevitably create. If you contribute a thought-provoking piece, you’re sure to get more out of the process than you would by throwing together some claptrap and few fancy stock photos. Bloggers know a good piece when they see one, and they’ll pass it along if it’s worthwhile. Not surprisingly, you’re much more likely to generate some clout if you’re putting out a high quality product.
Be prompt. Unlike the socialite’s world, lateness isn’t fashionable around the blogosphere. When you commit to writing a post by a certain date, write that post by that certain date. High traffic blog owners can be very busy people, and it’s unfair to stick them with month-old material when they’ve been kind enough to accept your prospective piece within a shorter time frame. It’s only polite to be punctual.
Be appreciative. Once it’s all said and done, say your thank yous. Make sure you leave a door open for any future opportunities and don’t hesitate to give a follow or a like through your social media outlets. These are the online tastemakers, after all – you want them on your team.

Got all that? It’s not groundbreaking stuff, but it’s worth considering before you get in contact with a fellow blogger. Simply put, if you give a little respect, you’ll get a little back. Now get out there and get guest blogging!

Having guests on this blog makes it what it is and I’m grateful to every single one of you. Thank you, Allison.

Allison is a blogger at CommerceEnergyDeals.com.

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If you would like to write a writing-related guest post for my blog then feel free to email me with an outline of what you would like to write about. If it’s writing-related then it’s highly likely I’d email back and say “yes please”.

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