If you’re doing it right, the guest posts you share will be your very best content. And if you’re sharing that content elsewhere, you want to be sure that you’re getting some serious benefits as well as building a great reputation as a fabulous guest.
So how can you stand out, be a great guest blogger, and milk that guest post for all it’s worth?
I’m going to assume here you’ve already put together a totally awesome post based on what you see the community at the host blog is interested in and finds engaging (both in format and topic), and that you approached the blogger with a smart pitch so you’ve got that all taken care of.
Let’s look at what to do after your guest post is submitted and gets published.
1. Promote the post once it’s live.
Don’t depend on the host blog to do all the promotion of your post. Get out there and promote it!
Here are some quick, simple actions you can take:
- Share on Facebook (your fan page, personal profile, and/or any groups you’re active in that allow you to share links)
- Tweet on Twitter (a couple times over the next few days)
- Pin the post on Pinterest
- Share on Google+, LinkedIn, or other appropriate networks for your audience
- Share on social bookmarking sites like StumbleUpon, Digg, or Delicious
- Write a post for your own blog where you summarize and share a link to your guest post (do not reprint the entire post–your goal is to get your readers to click through and read the post on the host blog)
- Add the host blog’s logo and link to your Media or “Featured At” page
- Share a link in your newsletter and invite your list of subscribers to read the guest post
And don’t quit promoting the day after it goes live. Promote for a couple of days or a week, and then circle back around and continue sharing it weeks or months later.
2. Treat the host blog’s community right.
Your job isn’t done when you send off that guest post and see it go live. It’s not even done when your post is live and you’ve promoted it.
Nope. Get back to that blog and get into the discussion! Engage with readers who leave you comments. Answer their questions and say thank you.
No comments happening yet? Then email a few friends or colleagues and ASK them to come share a comment (be sure to return the favor later).
3. Send a follow up thank you note.
After your post is published and you’ve promote it, take a few minutes to send a quick email thank you to the blogger who featured your post.
Let them know you appreciate the opportunity and (as appropriate) that you’d love to feature then on your blog (or in your newsletter, in a podcast, whatever platform you have to share things), or that you’d be happy to write another post for their readers in the future.
It’s as simple as 1… 2… 3…
In my experience most guest bloggers skip at least two of these three steps! So make all three happen and you’ll stand out and create a great experience for both you and your host.
Your turn!
What are your “dos” and “don’ts” for guest blogging as a blogger or a host?
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These are great suggestions! I’ve guest blogged a few times, but not really thought about it in these terms. I’ll definitely be sending a thank-you note after my next gig!
Awesome! Thanks for reading and commenting, Demosthenes.
Thanks for the excellent post. I haven’t started to guest blog yet – but it is certainly something I want to do. Now, I know the “proper etiquette”.
What is your #1 tip for finding and connecting with host blogs?
Thanks!
Lisa
Michelle,
This is great! I’ve done two guest posts and I did several of these steps, but not all of them. I really want to be a “star guest poster” so I really appreciate the detail you’ve put into this list!
I’m glad to know that I already do those things. That seemed to come naturally to me.
:-)
Thanks,
Kathy
Like Kathy, I too do those things and appreciate when those who are guests on my blog do the same.
It does seem only natural to show your respect and gratitude to those who ask you to be their guest and share a piece of yourself with their peeps!
Thanks.
Debra
Great suggestions Michelle. Would like to ask one other question. What’s the most appropriate way to approach other bloggers to post as a guest. I always learn something new from you. Thank you.
Great advice, Michelle!
Too many guest bloggers think it’s the host’s job to promote that post. No- you got the venue, it’s your job as well or more. Consider those venues used by rock and roll bands or motivational speakers. The artists or professionals don’t just rely on local promotion- but use their own websites, fan clubs, and media machines to insure the success of the effort!
Well it sounds simple but I actually see strong message from your post Michelle. In today blogging world killer content isn’t enough. No matter how good we write, people won’t find our stuff unless we let them know.
Michelle, great post. It actually inspired me to make a checklist for my readers. I remember when I first got my ‘toes wet’ in guest blogging – I was lost and pretty much doing it in the dark.
I don’t think I had a clear picture of the purpose other than a backlink which is probably the least important part of being a guest.
I must admit my promotion of the post usually fades after the first month though. Exactly why I made this checklist which reminds me to promote it 1 – 3 times per month.
Thank you as always for excellent tips.
Dear Michelle,
Thanks for the super tips. I haven’t done a guest post, yet, but wanted to know about them. I do appreciate your continued efforts to challenge our comfort zone and move us forward as bloggers. Debbie Seiling
Nice article, promoting a guest post by the author is very important, it not only magnifies the post but also creates a great reputation for the author.
Exactly! :)
Michelle,
These are really great tips for guest bloggers but where do you find a list of reputable (reputable is the keyword) places that bring guest bloggers and blogs looking for guest bloggers together? Can you suggest any sites or services.
Thanks in advance.
These are such great tips, Michelle and I hope I didn’t miss too many when I was a guest blogger on your wonderful blog :)
Thanks so much for putting the checklist together!
You were a lovely guest, Delia. :)
Michelle, Thank you so much for the tips in this post. You always have so many beneficial tips for bloggers!