For many Webmasters, accepting guest posts is a new way to provide fresh and diverse content for a website. It is a great system, as another blogger provides you with content in exchange for a few links back to their website.
Webmasters who engage in guest posting have had amazing results with both traffic and high search engine rankings. Guest posting seems to tick all the boxes, but when you are on the other side, being the Webmaster accepting guest posts, there are some serious factors that can bring your blog down.
Publishing posts that are less than your usual quality
Some bloggers except guest posts that are less than their usual standard of quality. This is because they are desperate for content and put aside their quality control in order to deliver to the masses. I would rather go a full week without a post, than publish a semi-okay blog post.
Accepting guest posts from famous bloggers
Unfortunately famous bloggers as a whole, often presume that they can get away with murder because of their reputation. Don’t fall into this trap because once you accept something that is below your standards, they will give you content that falls lower and lower and lower each time.
Of course not everyone will take advantage of you like that, but you must be prepared for it
Different strategies from different bloggers
I have had a few guest writers submit a post to me with strategies that I do not agree with. For example, I have seen articles with black hat techniques mentioned in them. I have also seen articles that tell people to do something or use something, but do not tell them why or how.
Accepting guest posts that need to be edited
OMG! I hate it when someone submits a guest post and it has to be edited. Sometimes I think I might as well write the dam thing myself. Don’t get into the habit of editing a guest post for someone, simply send an e-mail saying that it needs editing. That would be the end of the story.
SEO Guidelines do not exisit
I have a big problem with accepting guest posts that do not follow common on page SEO techniques. It makes me shudder with disgust when I see a great post that is “unSEOed” that has been published on someone’s blog. What a waste! I base my whole business around search engine optimization and I definitely can see the difference between a post that is not “SEOed” and a post that has it.
Also accepting guest posts and relying on the guest writer to do the SEO is an absolute crime. In my experience most Webmasters do not know how to perform on page SEO. So really guest posting does involve a lot of work for the webmaster accepting guest posts.
Accepting guest posts that are better than you could do
Fortunately I do not have a problem with this. (Well I do not worry)
Hey, but think about this. You have built up a following of people that like your writing and love your blog. Then you let guest posting in and you come across a really great writer. The visitors can clearly see that the guest writer knows his stuff and leaves your blog to follow them. Oh no. The loyal follower thinks that the grass is greener on the other side!
Accepting so many guest posts that visitors are not sure who owns the blog?
I stumbled across a blog that had a fantastic post about no more guest posts. Here is a quote below:
I went to him and knocked the door. The door is opened and a new face appears to welcome me! I ask him if Harsh is in? He is hardly 20% in his blog these days. The guest is ruling his home?
When I saw this the reality of accepting guest posts hit me. If you must accept guest posts then please be there to answer your own door! get yourself involved in every post and do not rely entirely on the guest post to comment to your readers an answer all the questions. This looks like your guest poster has all the right answers.
Accepting guest posts the write way
Set the rules when accepting guest posts
Make sure you have a guest post page where potential guest posters can see your set of rules laid out clearly. Make sure every person that wants to guest post on your website sees this page and reads it thoroughly.
Rules may include:
- Original content written and published solely for this blog
- Two Links allowed in the Authors Bio
- No Affiliate links allowed
- Article formatted with H2 H3 headings
- High standard of English grammar
- Must have a Gravatar attached to your email address
The list can go on and on because I guarantee that if you do not mention it, then it will happen.
Limit entry
Do not let the guest posting takeover your blog. Remember that this is your home and you have created it. I know it is tempting to accept free content, however accepting too many guest posts is like selling your soul. Making it easy to get published on your website just cheapens your blog.
Content control
When you start accepting guest posts you will be confronted with the weirdest lot of writing because most of your guest writers will be from all over the world. It is a good idea to have a list of suggested titles because only you really know what the popular subjects are on your website. Of course it is great to get different ideas from people, but it is all so nice to keep your content under control.
Stick to your guns
Do not deviate from your rules, especially even for famous bloggers, as you have probably worked hard to build your blog. You do not want to change your ideas or habits just because someone is famous. You need to stick to your guns and run your own blog the way you would like it.
Accepting guest posts does not have to bring your blog down done correctly.
My REPORTS are already FREE so you only need to sign up here if you are:
- Serious about building websites and making money.
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- Not a time waster.
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This post was written by...
mitz – who has written 197 posts on Lets Build Websites.
I am addicted to internet marketing and making money online. Who wouldn't want to live that life? I started out with one website as a hobby and now have over 20. Building websites and making money online is not that hard. You have to actually take action to make money...that is the biggest hurdle! :)
{ 52 comments… read them below or add one }
Great article, mitz. Did you use the “dragon..”program to write the entire post? if so this software must be good.
I Agree with your tips mostly..and will try to implement them. I guess that one should limit the number of guest posts allowed. I’m no expert but I reckon that as long as used carefully, the option of guest blogging has more benefits than disadvantages.
Ha ha yes I used the Dragon to write this…I basically can’t type now after using that!
Yes I agree that guest blogging has more benefits but it is not all a bed of roses…:)
yes accepting guest posts from spam websites. I mean you are indirectly linking the spam website do this could be very serious issue.
Tushar recently posted..Official and Free: Download free Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich Launcher APK file
Hello,
I totally agree with you in your reasoning for guest posts. I have a blog and I got a lot of guest posts
requests. So far I rejected about 50% of them. I always make sure that the content is unique/original. Also once I feel the post follows my blog’s content theme, I always end up re-editing the content for higher quality like adding references, adding images, make sure the content is grammaticaly sound. On average every guest post I got, I spend about 2-3 hours of editing.
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I think every post has its final touches to add but guest posts always have a bit more to do. I love it when I get a guest post formatted to my blog style, well written, and ready to go!
Guest posts can really be good for your site but I agree with you that some people overdo it and you end up wondering whose blog is it? I also like your rules as they are all very necessary for you to maintain the quality of your blog and keep more readers coming. Not controlling guest posts according to your blog standards may totally ruin your site. Great post.
Great article!
You must be careful otherwise you risk filling your blog with garbage and links
I also would keep an eye on the website that the author tries to promote
I certainly do not accept sites that deal with topics that is unlawful or prohibited to minors
ps: your “retweet” button,at the end of the post, doesn’t work!
Paul recently posted..By: Social Networking CMS – Plugin solutions | Affilate Networking
Thanks Paul I will check out the buttons…I hate those things!!
I enjoyed reading all your posts, your blog contain a lot of valuable information. You have done a nice job and I also want to share this that blogging is such a great help for business in so many ways. Able to promote your site, showcase your products and another thing that makes blogging helpful is your ability to express your ideas. There are type of people who doesn’t like to talk about what they think but if they do it through writing they can definitely say it well. Somehow blogging becomes a theraphy too.
A guest post can be not genuine. A guest can be desperate to have an article on your side, so the might copy paste an article from other source, make minor editing on them and post it onto your blog.
Amani recently posted..Make money online
This is quite true. They might take it from other place and claim that it’s theirs
So accept guest posts only if your blog is really good
Yes John, I have a blog and requested guest post and Published them. But the result was negative. So as you said before, Only accept good article and review it carefully. Also we have to check weather it is duplicate or not.
Since I started writing I always think the guest post is always helpful . But after reading this post it let’s me think of limiting guest posters. This post is really unique, I always read about how to get great guest post but this is the other way around.
I was planning to allow for guest post on my blog. Glad I found this blog post. I never thought of few points mentioned here. Anyway SEO is getting harder day by day and we should be careful. Thanks for the useful tips.
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There are times even when you’ve already laid down your guidelines, there are still some who do not and cannot follow instructions. It’s best to get a guest poster who knows you and what your blog is all about, and has a writing style that complements your own. By end of the day, it’s your blog and integrity that’re at risk.
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Thanks for this list. I think the problem with guests bloggers is pretty similar to the dilemma of website promotion in general: the idea that you need to get as many hits and links and as much content as you can, no matter where they come from. And that’s an philosophy that can lead to problems.
One of the things you mentioned really caught my attention. I’ve been to quite a few blogs that have so many guest bloggers that I don’t even know whose blog it is. But I think a quick fix for that would be to mention your name in blog page’s main header or in some other noticeable place.
Blake
True Blake…Everyone wants that quick click and heaps of content…We can’t really say what will happen but everything in moderation is ok I guess.
My gosh. I was almost on the verge of publishing the very first guest post from my blog until I read this post. It’s the first time I have this request from a blogger. I thought it would be okay, but after reading your post, I’ve decided not to accept guest post from my blog. Thanks a lot for this.
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Oh no.. Are you serious…? Its not that bad…I am writing another post about the cool benefits so don’t do anything rash!
This was an upsetting title. I have just had my first 3 guest posts accepted in the last 2 weeks. Then I actually read the post. Yes, junk is junk. People who write to please Google will never please a real customer.
Isn’t it astounding how as internet marketers we think of Google in terms of an all powerful force than controls our lives? I see him with a tuxedo and a trimmed beard, like the guy in the Dos Equis commercial.
Hi Mitz, It seems that the consensus is to keep a tight lid on things. I edit other peoples posts on a daily basis. If there are small changes I make them, it is faster than sending an email. If they are large, then they are asked to resubmit. Even though they know the SEO requirements, I still spend time on each post, making sure it is good in respect to SEO.
Tim Wicks recently posted..Essential Accessories for Your Kindle
True Tim
I also do edit for SEO but not grammar or short posts. I think doing SEO to suit your blog is essential for both parties as the post needs to fit in and blend into the internal linking system.
I like to make the post feel at home.
mitz recently posted..WordPress SEO Recipe for Success
Some important points you are making here! Especialy the ratio between Guest posts and own created posts seems really important to me!
Benjamin Hübner recently posted..Google+ Plus Features and First Impression
Yes I am trying to decide on my ratio… I think I will have three posts from me and then one guest post…
That sounds like a good balance. I am also going to let these guest posts stay on the homepage for a fair time…
Those websites that pump them through are not that great to guest post to… Having your title shown on the front page is a very important thing for traffic.
mitz recently posted..10 Critical SEO Mistakes to Avoid when Building WordPress Websites
i think that setting rules when accepting guest post is really important.. it’s your site, so you really have to set rules for it.. whatever it is that is posted in there will be reflecting on you..
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you’re right, candy. rules and restrictions. some bloggers prefer people with authority as their guest bloggers. like if you have a law blog, it would be preferable to have a guest post from a lawyer. health blog – a guest post from a doctor.
Menachem Lifshitz recently posted..Menachem Lifshitz Supports the Heller Resource Center
Editing someone else’s post just takes so much time. Some bloggers would just want to get into your site and leave substandard comments. Anyway, I appreciate how you present your inputs on such an issue. Its a breather to most of us readers. I, myself will have to double check on my own blogs as well. Thanks for the information.
Jane recently posted..Aug 1, Worst Weeds In The World?
Hi Jane
Editing is really not worth it. Some posts are beyond help and really need to be sent back to the author.
I have a big enough job correcting my own posts like you said..LOL
mitz recently posted..Install a Google Plus Profile Button on your WordPress Website
I have to say Mitz, although I have thought about a few of the points you mentioned, a few of them are totally new to me. I guess, like anything else, accepting guest posts has its own positives and negatives. Thanks for the heads up.
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Hi Satrap
Very true. There is always good and bad in everything. I just thought I would write about what I was thinking. It is better that we are careful with the blogs that we have worked so hard to build.
mitz recently posted..10 Viral Marketing Strategies to Generate Traffic and Sales
Hi Alexandria
I love the variety guest posts give you but you need to be home too.. And you are right to not fall for these kinds of guest bloggers.
Accepting guest posts is cool if you keep in control.
mitz recently posted..10 Critical SEO Mistakes to Avoid when Building WordPress Websites
As a blogger who accept some guest posting. I see to it that I don’t fall for these kind of quest blogger. Specially the part where you still have to edit there work before posting it to your blog. Geez its quite a troublesome. The thing here is If you don’t want your blog site to get down its important to accept guest posting moderately. Don’t rely on guest post better to do it your own.
Alexandria recently posted..Winning Lottery
Dear, seemed the “write” should be “right” in this post of “Accepting guest posts the write way”.
Have a nice day!
Louis recently posted..Comment Backlinks Secret
Ah, you beat me to it Louis! Not a big deal, though, as I think we got the drift!
~Bruce
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Sorry guys
Technology is never perfect.
It is my Dragon naturally speaking…It slips stuff in like that sometimes…!!
mitz recently posted..4 Cool Ways to add Social Media Buttons to your WordPress Website
I went to fix the error and thought it was a clever play with words and left it there…(Although a huge mistake) Something for people to talk about..:)
mitz recently posted..6 Reasons Why Your Website Isn’t Converting
Like most things in life, the key is moderation. That – along with a healthy dose of quality control – and you can really add some spice to your blog’s offerings.
Larry Lourcey recently posted..The Weakest Link
True Larry
Blogging is so hands on and moderation is a big one…I think I need to someone to help me…so I do not lose track.
mitz recently posted..10 Viral Marketing Strategies to Generate Traffic and Sales
I see some of these problems alot. A blog will have so many different writers that you are not sure who is the main person.
Also, when a guest posting is in a very different style, or worse, on something completely off topic to the main focus of the blog.
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Thats right John..It is not good for the blog to go off topic.I should have put some examples of blogs that are doing it right becasue there are many of those too..
The key does seem to be to have a solid set of rules beforehand. If the guest blogger knows clearly upfront in the rules for the guest post of what is to be expected, then definitely there will be less headaches in the end for all parties.
-Jean
True Jean… I have a guest post page that would almost scare the pants off a newbie and for people to get in here to guest post, they must be doing something right.
Always thought it’s the other way around. Now I have second thoughts in featuring a guest post feature on my blog.
Don’t let it put you off because guest posts can be great in other ways…All these rules will help control it to your advantage.
And, if your not REALLY careful, guest bloggers can easily turn you into a lazy blogger in a slow and undetectable way…just FYI.
This is the first time I have ever read a post about the negatives of guest blogging.
Very interesting, Mitz…:)
Mark
Mark recently posted..Auto Blogging – Get Free Unique SEO Articles Delivered To Your Blog In A Click
Good one Mark. I think you are right. Guest bloggers can turn some bloggers into lazy bloggers! Haha… so, better think twice if you want to start accepting guest posts!
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Hi Mark
I See this as positive because it is all out there now…I have been thinking about this for a while as I was deciding to let guest posters in here or not…I have, but I have the rules, and have come up with some great writers. Jasmine is one of them..
I definately do not want to become lazy though…but there is room for good writers here…:)
if you become more dependent on your guest bloggers then that’s not really good. you should put a limit to the number of articles that you will publish from your guest bloggers.
Mel Lifshitz recently posted..Menachem Lifshitz’s Other Travel Blogs
I am on the way to learn and learn. I have also got one URL to start my own niche site and my aim will be to provide my research material to writers and will wait for guest posts. I have seen some guest post on more than two blogs.
Hi Mitz
Thanks for this post – it is something that as a newbie I hadn’t considered and gives the other side of the guest blogger story! Could I ask you what you mean by onpage SEO techniques? As a newbie I take that to mean using H1, H2 headers, bold, italics and key words. Excellent post, thanks.
Yes Jan thats what I mean..
I am a SEO fan.. I am addicted!
Yes this is the other side of guest posting…Funny because I am also a guest poster…and I love the sites I write for..but I do see the other side…
I haven’t had a problem with guest posts in this niche because most bloggers know the general rules…but in the tech niche I have had crazy submissions that no one I know would post. I have stopped all guest posts on other websites and opened the doors on this one…
I used to guest post on a massive website that had a “blogger stories” section and when I did the flood of traffic to my website was crazy. Then they let a few posts in that were terrible and one even led to a sales page…People commented and were not happy.. Obviuosly they had slacked off…Now if I guest post I am lucky to get 4 comments on a post and a handful of visitors…