In Consideration of Guest Blogging
Wednesday
Jun 4, 2008
I’ve had the opportunity to blog as a guest for a few blogs now, and I’ve been approached by other bloggers interested in guest posting on this here blog. It’s a weird subject for me. While it might be nice to put the reigns down every once in awhile and get a fresh take on some content, I also feel like people come here for my opinion. Perhaps that’s self centered of me. But allowing a rival gang member onto my turf makes me uncomfortable.
Perhaps it’s not about rivalry. Perhaps it’s about cooperation towards a shared goal.
When thinking about what to write for a blog that I could guest post on, for some reason I get nervous about that too. My education in writing started out from a very journalistic place, so I feel the need to really write a professional, newspaper quality article when writing for someone else. I don’t feel nearly that amount of pressure when writing for my own blog since this is my publication - I’m solely responsible for it and have no one else but myself to blame for it’s success or failures. So while the exposure of guest blogging for someone else would be a definite pro, the pressure I’d put on myself in crafting the “perfect” article might overwhelm that.
To return to cooperation, it’s always a shared goal when guest blogging. The blog owner gets the benefit of a fresh outlook and a lighter work load while the guest gets the benefit of more exposure of their name and style which might drive some readers to check out their blog as well. There’s always more room for another feed in your feed reader of choice. And as the blog owner, you have complete discretion over what gets posted on your blog - very much like the managing editor of a newspaper or magazine. If the article isn’t up to your own standards, you have the freedom to ask for changes or just reject it outright.
As someone who works full time and then blogs, it’s a bit difficult to consider guest blogging just from a work load standpoint. Working all day, then coming home to develop content for my own blogs AND guest articles is a lot of work. I guess my biggest question is, is it worth the amount of work put in?
So speak up… have you written guest posts for blogs? Do you accept guest articles for your own blog? What have your results been?
Comments
Andrew Wee
June 4th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Erm, why would you see a guest blogger as a “gang member from a rival gang?”
If they're posting great content, isn't that a credit to your brand?
If they're an A-List and are asking you to publish some dubious content, I'd say “no” in a heartbeat.
It's all about managing your brand, isn't it?
And co-opetition can be a valid asset in the space.
TrishaLyn
June 4th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Hey, I never said my argument was sane or reasonable lol that's just what's in my head about it. Good points, of course!
Nishadha
June 5th, 2008 at 1:17 am
If your guest post is adding value to readers then it is perfectly ok to allow a guest post.
GetSmartGal
June 6th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Guest blogging I think benefits both parties. When a guest blogs for you they typically bring over some of their peeps while also being exposed to some of your readers and vice versa for you as a guest blogger.
I do understand that added stress factor in guest blogging, I want my guest post to rock for my buddy blogger, so I get a little critical/crazy about it being a good post.
Christopher
June 6th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Seesmic video reply from Disqus.
JEMi | InMyHeels
June 12th, 2008 at 10:30 am
I've written for another blog before and plan to do more of it. I am always careful though - I want to make sure I am providing quality content in my own voice .. I never want to make someone's blog look bad
I accept guest posts but I am rather selective. My site is my baby
and I work very hard to provide a high quality to my readers. I want my site to grow and be known as a resource of sorts. I think people have a lot to offer so I will definitely read an offer.
It helps but I think blogs who have too many guest posts (unless thats the actual point) hurt its readership because there is no consistent voice to count on.