All About Guest Post – Benefits & Etiquette
Ha ! You must be wondering about the title of this post.. .. Guest post and benefits ? Does it have etiquette too ?? Does it make sense ?
Well, yes. It does.
Innumerable no. of times I have been invited to write guest posts but seldom have I accepted the offer, except for writing for some community sites or blogs; my reasons being many.
Now, while we are at it, can we see who all can be benefited by writing a guest post ??
- Any aspiring writer who wants to get some valuable exposure.
- A new blogger who wants a wider audience to hear his/her views
- A SME who is itching to share his/her views & knowledge.
Whenever I wrote a guest post on a personal blog, I was given a theme to write on and the experience was very consuming as I tried to give my best.
No, I had not written those posts as a new blogger. No one had invited me then. 
I wrote when I was well established and whoever invited me thought I’d add value to their blogs.
But off late I have been contemplating whether it’ll be a good idea to invite some to write here on my blog. I have also been requested by some of my non-blogger readers to let them voice their opinions as they find this a good platform to do so.
I think it is a win-win situation for both.. .. If I am the host then for me and for the guest writers as well. Let us see how.
First, the benefits of a guest post
To the writer
1) One of the best ways for aspiring writers or new bloggers to get some valuable exposure is to write guest posts for other blogs. Of course, the amount of exposure you get will depend on which blog publishes your article. If the host blog itself is trying to get an identity, the chances of your becoming popular are very less.
2) If the readers enjoy your post they may subscribe to your RSS feed. And what better way for a free advertisement than to write a guest post ?
3) Almost all guest posting arrangements involve a link back to your blog if you happen to own one. This can help search engine rankings especially if the host blog is a quality, established blog itself. In fact, sometimes linking back is the primary interest of guest writers.
Benefits to host blogger
1) Blog gets a wider range of topics and writers which in turn helps its readers with variety of posts.
2) Blogger gets a little free time to breathe.
3) If the guest writer is a blogger, s/he will direct her/his readers to the host blog which might result in increase in readers.
Etiquette for guest blogging
Writing a guest post is a little bit different than writing for your own blog and you should be very careful with the quality of work that you submit.
1– Do a little homework on the blog that you’ll be writing for. Your posts should be in sync with the ideas and culture of the host blog. This ensures that your post will be much better received by both your host and its readers.
2– If not assigned, choose a topic that suits the host blog. Be certain that the readers will be interested and benefited by the topic and information provided. While you will be writing in your own voice, be careful not to disrespect the host’s ideology, culture and writing ethics.
3– Check spellings and grammar before submitting your article. The owner of the site should only be checking your contents and not be wasting time on any other thing. These small mistakes make bad first impression and can have a negative influence.
4– Do not write on a topic which duplicates the thoughts of a recently published article. If you have to, infuse some freshness to it.
5– Do not submit the same post to more than one blogger at the same time. Unless rejected from one place, you should not submit the article to someone else.
6– If the host has asked for one, submit only one article. Do not bombard him/her with all your creations. Bad manners.
7– Respect host’s time and respond quickly to his/her queries.
8– Once published, since you are the owner of the post, you are expected to respond to all the comments and queries on that post.
9– If you have committed to write at a frequency (say once in a week) or on a series of posts, stick to it. Do not leave in midway. Again bad publicity for you.
10– Do not advertise your own blog or products by giving loads of back links. Not ethical. Let your article speak for these. Links are relevant only if they add value to the post. Anyway your host is responsible and will provide a link to your blog in the beginning itself.
Do not view guest blogging as purely an opportunity for you to get advertisement and new readers. Remember the host has allowed you to post here and s/he has not got anything till now; your main aim should be to add genuine value to the host blog.
Ok, enough of preaching. What do you think if I ask you to write 1-2 posts for my blogs, will you be interested ?
Give your name with details such as e-mail id, topics of interest in comment section if you are interested in writing a guest post on my blog. If you wish to remain anonymous or do not want to display your personal details here, please leave your name through contact form and I will contact you.
But remember, not everybody will get a chance. I reserve the right to select my guest writers but yes, I’ll keep your name in my database for any further use. And I may take time to contact you.
Current Song:- Dikhayee Diye YuN Ya Bekhud Kiya – Lata
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Tags : Blogging, Blogosphere, Tips & Tricks
ghilman said,
December 30, 2008 @ 4:02 pm
Thanks…
abhijit said,
December 30, 2008 @ 6:51 pm
Etiquette for guest blogging…these are very useful tips! Thanks for sharing!
Tarun said,
December 30, 2008 @ 9:29 pm
Well, to be honest never thought of either inviting someone for a guest blog, never have been invited either.
Well if someone invites me I will have to think over what to write, while if I were to invite someone to blog then I would like to muddle into what the invited blogger writes but would prefer getting their email id.
Abhi said,
December 30, 2008 @ 9:55 pm
Whats the eligibilty?? Do we need to send in our CVs???
Celine said,
December 31, 2008 @ 5:00 pm
Thanks Cuckoo. Will think over it and revert to you in due course.
How was your trip Cuckoo? Where did you go ?
May I take this opportunity to wish you a very Happy New Year and may 2009 have the best of life’s joys in store for you.
At your convenience, drop by to read about my new year resolutions.
उन्मुक्त said,
December 31, 2008 @ 7:37 pm
विचार तो बुरा नहीं है पर …
~vagabond~ said,
January 1, 2009 @ 1:00 am
Hmm. Never thought about guest blogging…either on someone else’s blog or inviting someone to mine. Something to think about.
Tarun said,
January 1, 2009 @ 3:51 am
Among all things said and done, commented and Posted.
A very Happy 2009 for u Cuckoo.
Shillu said,
January 1, 2009 @ 7:13 pm
Happy New Year to you and your family
peter said,
January 2, 2009 @ 9:27 pm
I have some very little but nice experience of guests on my blog and vice versa! Basically I think the idea is good!
If you are interested I could try to make something about “India in Paris”? No date or promise - for the moment. Would you be interested?
In the meantime, all the best for 2009!
Sharad Bapat said,
January 2, 2009 @ 9:42 pm
loved the way you put benefits and Etiquette first and then send an invitation to write.
A very happy new year!! Hope this year brings lot of smile on your and your readers face
Pijush said,
January 3, 2009 @ 3:27 am
Nice one Cuckoo.. specially the Tips.. I have started following your blog again
Cheers
Destination Infinity said,
January 3, 2009 @ 6:27 pm
I would like to write a guest post on: “The Value of Money”.
Thanks,
Destination Infinity
Deepu said,
January 5, 2009 @ 7:59 pm
Nice idea. I could write a couple of posts too. Hmm, let me think about a topic. How abt one on your travel page for Niagara Falls?
Or something on current affairs prob.
Cuckoo said,
January 7, 2009 @ 1:09 am
Ghilman,
You are welcome here.
Abhijit,
You are welcome.
Tarun,
Yes, that’s the gist of it.
Cuckoo said,
January 7, 2009 @ 1:13 am
Abhi,
CV ? Yes yes, send me over.
Celine,
Yes, think it over & let me know.
Where had I gone ? Ah, that will appear in my travel blog. Hop over there.
And Happy New Year to you as well !
Cuckoo said,
January 7, 2009 @ 1:16 am
Unmukt,
par kya ?
Vagabond,
Then think.
Shillu,
Thank you and I wish the same.
Cuckoo said,
January 7, 2009 @ 1:19 am
Peter,
Well, we are in touch thru mail now.
Sharad,
Thank you and I wish the same to you and your wife.
Pijush,
Thank you Pijush. Glad to see you here again.
Oh that reminds me to reply to your mail. Will do so.
Cuckoo said,
January 7, 2009 @ 2:13 am
Destination Infinity,
Welcome here on my blog.
Well, we are in touch and will let you know soon.
Thanks for your visit, keep coming.
Deepu,
Have you checked your mail-box ?
Vands said,
January 30, 2009 @ 12:11 am
Maine itna deeply kabhi socha hi nahi hai
Very enlightening post!