3 Tricks For Getting People To Guest Post On Your Blog

The topic of guest posting is all over the interwebs these days. Being a guest blogger is a great way to build your readership at your home site. Hosting guest bloggers is a way to supplement your writing schedule. It’s also a cool way to get to know and feature great writers.

In my book – guest posting is a fun and often exciting way to build your blog, your business and yourself.

Have you been thinking about inviting someone to guest post for you? I have to admit that the first time I thought of it, I was a bit panic-stricken.

What happens if they say no? How do I approach them? Should I have a set of guidelines for them? What’s the best way to get ahold of them?

I didn’t have a manual on the subject (several good ones have been written since then). Somehow I just jumped in and found my way through.

Let me give you a few tricks I have found to be very helpful with securing guest bloggers.

Trick # 1 – Interact

Before you ask someone to guest post for you, get to know them. This sounds like perfect common sense, but I can’t begin to tell you the horror stories I have heard about bloggers getting star struck with some (perceived) A-List blogger and blurting out a guest post invitation before ever getting to know said blogger.

My hard fast rule: If I don’t know you – I shouldn’t be asking you to move into my house (blog).

Interact. Engage them at all points possible.

Their blog
Twitter
Facebook
Linkedin

I have met, engaged and developed a relationship with 99.9% of my guest bloggers on Twitter. I find it to be a place that you can find, learn about, support and promote great bloggers and business people.

I’ve seen guest post opportunities happen on Facebook and Linkedin as well.

My second hard fast rule: If I want you to support my home, I’ll support yours first.

Blog commenting has numerous benefits. You get to see your prospective guest on his turf. You can watch how she connects with her readers and community. You can get a feel for how he writes – with what voice, rhythm and style.

While only polite and in good manners, this technique is the best way to judge for yourself whether or not the blogger would be a good fit for your community.

Don’t be that guy – Interact before asking.

Trick # 2 – Feature them first

One of the best ways to get yourself a guest post (and maybe even a friend) is to feature them in a write up on your blog. People like to have the light shown on them. They (ok, often) like the attention. Many see it as a cheap way of promotion for their work.

Give them what they want.

Do an interview (audio and video would be cool)
Study their work and write a blog post relating what you have learned.
Review their recent ebook or study course.
Retweet their blog posts

Feature them first. Make a friend.

Trick # 3 – Ask

It all boils down to the fact that if you want someone to guest post – you are going to have to ask them to do so.

Here’s something interesting. I have never done the whole formal email thing to ask someone to guest post. All of my invitations have found their inception on Twitter. Most of them have come through some conversation I was having around a topic of interest.

Do what feels most comfortable for you, but know that the process can be as simple and straightforward as “Hey Joe, I love your stuff. Could I interest you in writing for me?”

Tip: Don’t be a schmuck – invite the newbie blogger and the A-Lister. Help them both.

Yes – even if you are just getting started, be bold and ask the “professional” blogger. I’m willing to bet that they put their pants on the same way you do each morning. If you have spent the time and formed a relationship. this should be no problem.

You have got to ask. It really won’t hurt.

Bonus Trick: Give them some structure.

Post length. Your posting schedule. Your right to edit for spelling and grammar.

Some will ask for a topic or a title or something of the sort.

Provide some structure.

I love guest posting both as a host and as the guest.

What about you? What can you add from your bagof tricks? Share your thoughts and comments below.

Image: Anna Spiro

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http://www.stacyknows.com Stacy

I love guest posters. Let’s face it, I don’t know everything. First compliment your prospective guest poster, it should be easy, why else would you be asking he or she to guest post. Second remember to promote your guest posters site.
- http://frankdickinson.me Frank Dickinson
  
  Thanks Stacy! Anything we can do to get the word out about our guest posters = WIN!
http://www.thesaleslion.com Marcus Sheridan- The Sales Lion

Good tips Frank. Personally, when someone I don’t know asks if they can guest post on my site I automatically say no. Also, you mentioned rules and guidelines– I always tell guest posters they are required to base their writings on a personal experience. It’s my only rule, but it forces people to write in the same style I write all my articles.

Thanks again,

Marcus
- http://frankdickinson.me Frank Dickinson
  
  I’m with you Marcus – If I don’t know you, you can’t come to my home – yet.
  
  I dig your rule – makes the writer “real” not a spouter of rehashed “wisdom”
  
  BTW – I’m loving your blog!
http://trafficcoleman.com/ TrafficColeman

Once you are friends then it becomes just that more easier to ask for a guest post..I’m fiends wit a lot of marketers and im starting to do more guest posting these days..

“Black Seo Guy “Signing Off”
- http://frankdickinson.me Frank Dickinson
  
  So true. Friends = trust – and that goes a long way in the guest posting realm.
  
  Thanks for stopping by!
http://markharai.com Mark Harai

Hey Frank, thanks for these tips – they’ll be great future reference for me when I get to that point : )

I love this tip: “Don’t be a schmuck – invite the newbie blogger and the A-Lister. Help them both”

And the spirit behind it too!

You rock Frank – have a great weekend my friend : )
- http://easypublicspeaking.co.uk/ Keith Davis
  
  “Don’t be a schmuck – invite the newbie blogger and the A-Lister. Help them both”
  
  I like that Mark, but how many of us are asking the newbie?
  
  I’ve tended to go for the big names but perhaps next time….
  - http://frankdickinson.me Frank Dickinson
    
    It i some much fun to see a new blogger tackle his/her first guest post. They are some of the best I’ve had on my blog!
- http://frankdickinson.me Frank Dickinson
  
  Thanks Mark. From all I’ve read i think you are well on your way to tackling guest posts and posters!
http://easypublicspeaking.co.uk/ Keith Davis

Hi Frank
So far I’ve just asked, or people have asked if they can do a guest post.

I’ve also asked people to do a video for a guest post… and they have all said yes!
Absolutely amazing.
Bloggers really do help other bloggers.

I’d got to know the people I asked so that does make a difference.
- http://frankdickinson.me Frank Dickinson
  
  Hey Keith! I asked Elizabeth Potts Weinstein to do a video for her post. She said yes without hesitation and knocked the post out of the park!
  
  It’s amazing what happens when you just get out there and ask eh?
  - http://easypublicspeaking.co.uk/ Keith Davis
    
    Hi Frank
    If you don’t ask….
    
    Put up a link to the Elizabeth Potts Weinstein video.
    - http://frankdickinson.me Frank Dickinson
      
      Here ya go:
      
      http://frankdickinson.me/2010/10/04/epw/
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http://www.websitemarketingguru.com/ jilianne @ website marketing tips

You should always give to receive and that’s how you can get more out from your guest posting campaign. Great round up Frank, very useful tips
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http://www.dancing-poles.co.uk Polly

The last point “give them some structure” is the most important. This makes it much easier for the guest bloggers and also helps to make you get what you were looking for. It’s a real shame when someone takes the time to write some thing for you and you can’t use it because it’s style is not in keeping with everything else on your website.
http://ariherzog.com Ari Herzog

If anyone reading this is interested in guest writing opportunities, I feature someone new every Friday. Frank is a former featured contributor.
http://www.josylad.com Josylad

Nice post Frank, but i think blog commenting works best. If you want guest post comment on others blog especially the A-list and from there you will develop good relationship.
Nikhil Bhalla

There’s one other trick, or rather way I can think of.
@Tip: Don’t be a schmuck – invite the newbie blogger and the A-Lister. Help them both.

If you really want to include newbies & others, have a “Write For Us! ” page with a separate form and ask for a snapshot of what they’ll write. This way you at least know whether he’ll be worth or not and you would not miss out on someone who could actually be an asset for your blog.

Again, I don’t think many people would do this! Thanks.