How To Host A Guest Blogger

If you’ve missed the previous posts in this series, we’ve already discussed how to make guest post submissions and how to recruit guest bloggers for your own site.

Now you’ve received a guest post proposal. Fantastic! But before you get on your bike to celebrate here are some matters to consider.

What To Do Now You’ve Had Expression Of Interest

Respect The Potential Guest Blogger

Have you ever submitted a guest post only to wonder if you’ve been forgotten, ignored and missed? You were all pumped up sure the post was a winner. And you’ve been greeted with S.I.L.E.N.C.E.

Bit shattering isn’t it?

Here are some ways to ensuring your guest bloggers submit awesome content again and again.

Be Responsive

Respond to submissions as soon as possible. No, it’s not always possible to respond within 48 hours but do your best. Consider putting a ‘response timeframe’ within your guest post submission guidelines so bloggers are not crushed by the weight of unknowing.

Guide Where Possible

If the submission is not to the standard you hope for and/or off on a tangent give the guest blogger constructive suggestions and encourage them to resubmit. Unless of course the post is beyond repair – an infrequent challenge. Just use your imagination and focus to bring the post into line with your needs.

The very first guest post submission I received for Better Business Better Life was a beautifully written post but not what my readers want. I felt terrible going back to the blogger but it worked out to be the best for both parties. My guest blogger wrote another fabulous article that was perfect for this blog and was pleased to use the first submission on her blog.

Express Your Appreciation For Their Efforts

Make sure your guest blogger is aware just how much you appreciate his or her efforts. It could be a quick email, a card via snail mail or even a small gift. Whatever you choose put a heartfelt message in it.

Create A Win-Win Situation

There are a variety of benefits for you as the host of a guest blogger including exposure to their audience, gaining expert content and time saved. The guest blogger also gains exposure to a new audience and the opportunity to be recognised as a thought leader.

Really, guest blogging is a win-win situation so why not maximise the benefits?

Both Parties Should Promote The Post

Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, email marketing, forums…there are so many opportunities to promote the post. StumbleUpon, Digg, Google+… take the chance to promote the post far and wide.  The greater effort you put in, the wider the audience it is likely to reach meaning great exposure for all.

Be sure to consider where you audience hangs out and when. For example, if your post is about taxation laws in Australia you will post in a very different time and place to a post about the best choc chip cookies recipe.

Introduce The Guest Blogger To Your Readers

When you have someone new posting on your blog make sure you introduce them to your readers. Explain why you’re hosting a guest blogger and what the benefits are. A change of voice that could turn readers off may in fact be well received with an appropriate introduction.

Allow A Biography With A Link Back To The Guest Blogger’s Site

If a blogger has generously written a post for your blog the least you can do is publish a short biography and include links back to their site. This rewards the blogger for their efforts as well as enabling your reader to find out more about the person whose work they’ve just read.

Enjoy And Reap The Rewards

You are now aware that recruiting and hosting guest bloggers is a quite involved yet very rewarding process. Yes, mistakes will be made and some partnerships won’t work out as expected but for every challenge there will be ten fantastic results.

So take the opportunity to learn from your guest blogger’s ideas and know how. Don’t let your readers be the only ones to benefit from the guest post. Apply the knowledge and lessons to your own efforts.

Finally, celebrate a successful effort. Take time to review the impact of the guest post on your blog and think about future collaborations. Ask the guest blogger to make another submission or consider a post swap.

Now, do your happy dance and enjoy!

Have you hosted a guest blogger? What was your experience?

 

Pic Source: 1. Epsilon68 2. SashaW 3. Katerha