Why I’ve Decided To Allow Guest Posts On My Blog

Whether you know it or not, I’m a selfish person.

Not in real life, but definitely when it comes to blogging.

Let me explain.

When I launched this blog about a year and a half ago, I had absolutely no intention of allowing guest posts. My thinking was this. Since I wanted people to know my style, the best way to build my brand was by offering more of me.

Why I’ve Decided To Allow Guest Posts On My Blog

This meant introducing them to my conversational style of writing. Getting them to know what to expect, content wise, when they visit my blog. All that, and more.

But, I guess you can say, I’ve been doing things the hard way. Sure, I recognized the importance of guest posting on other people’s blogs but  I missed the boat by not realizing how powerful accepting guest posts from great bloggers can be.

But, that’s all going to change as of right now.

So, What Does It Take To Write For This Blog?

Can I tell you a secret?

Besides this post, it takes me, probably, 10 – 20 hours to work each post I come out with on this blog. Crazy, right?

Well, that includes everything from:

• Writing
• Research
• Coming up with a headline
• Image selection/creation
• Editing/Proofreading
• Etc

I have no problem with people who are able to write blog posts in an hour, but what I learned about guest posting is this. You want to make sure that your guest post is the absolute best content you come out with.

Why?

Because you’re being invited into someone else’s home — and you want to treat it, and their readers, with the utmost respect. That’s what I do when I guest post elsewhere and that’s what should be expected here.

“I’ll Be All Over You Like A Pitbull On A Poodle”

As selfish as I’ve been as a blogger, I also have pretty high standards as well when it comes to this blog. And I hold others to a higher standard than myself if they want to guest post on this blog.

So, what does this mean?

It means that you must be willing to take criticism. A lot of it … potentially.

This includes:

• If your headline isn’t captivating enough, you must be willing to change it
• If the introduction doesn’t persuade readers to continue and the flow, in general, just doesn’t work
• If your examples aren’t clear
• Etc.

Listen, we all have the same goals, right?

To build a popular blog?

And if we want to reach that goal, we have to make sure that we do what’s not only best for the blog, but what’s best for our readers as well.

And that’s exactly what I want for mine.

The 3 Most Important Things To Consider If You Want To Write For This Blog

1. You Must Know Your Topic Much Better Than I Do

Here’s the thing.

I, obviously, don’t know everything when it comes to blogging. Which is why it would make perfect sense to allow guest posts that’ll introduce new topics to my readers. Right?

However, you really have to know the topic. You have to be able to educate the readers on a subject that really provides them with some useful information.

Because I care deeply about my readers and don’t want them subjected to B.S. content. And let’s be honest. There are far too many mediocre content out there — and I don’t want any of that on this blog.

2. You Have To Be Good At Blogging

Okay, here’s what I mean by this.

Blogging is a completely different animal than traditional writing, and there are certain things you have to know.

Such as:

Certain language/terminology to use that readers will know and identify with
Correctly linking to content that’s relevant
Breaking down the content into smaller, easier to read, chunks through proper formatting
But, the most important thing you have to know is how to make your words convey the message you’re trying to send. This includes coming up with interesting perspectives on a topic and writing in a way that reaches the readers.

3. You Must Genuinely Be Trying To Help Readers With Your Content

Let’s be honest.

There are far too many people who try to guest post just to get a link back to their site. They come out with mediocre content that doesn’t provide any useful information at all. And you’re left wondering, “Why is this person even here? Why did the author allow this garbage on their blog?”

I’m sure you’ve come across something like that before, right?

I know I have.

And situations like that, the readers are the ones who ultimately suffer — because they’re subjected to the bad content.

Now, the readers of this blog know that every piece of content I come out with is aimed to helping them, or educating them, in some way. And any guest posts that are accepted on this blog, should be the same.

Final Thoughts

I’d like to think of this as a major milestone for this blog.

Like I said earlier, I was selfish.

But the more that I blogged and learned, the more it became apparent that nobody can make it, or have success, on their own. They need some help.

And allowing guest posts on this blog, is one of the best, and most important ways to help me grow it.

Mainly because:

• It showcases their expertise on a subject I may not know much about
• Their loyal community would follow them to read the guest post — which leads to potentially more traffic
• Allows more time to work on future posts and projects

Sounds like a no brainer, right?

I think so.

What do you think? Do you think I’m making the right choice? And if you allow guest posts on your blog, has having them helped, or hurt your blog? Leave a comment below to share your thoughts.

Also, if you are interested in guest posting for this blog, check out the editorial guidelines to for more in-depth information.

وصف

Sure, I recognized the importance of guest posting on other people’s blogs but  I missed the boat by not realizing how powerful accepting guest posts from great bloggers can be.