This is a guest article by Dan Ripoll, the co-founder and CEO of Content BLVD, a crowdsourced content marketing platform enabling bloggers to publish more content and grow their audiences. This is achieved by connecting authoritative bloggers to a crowd of top notch contributors offering high quality, informative content.
For those who love blogging, guest blogging is a perfect opportunity to establish themselves as credible sources. (Illustration © Yury Zap – Fotolia.com)
It takes time to establish oneself as a blogger worthy of a guest blog opportunity on an authoritative blog. Many bloggers looking for guest blogging opportunities know that in order to reap the benefits of this type of chance to increase both SEO and online exposure it takes a good bit of concentrated effort.
Aside from the obvious necessity of establishing oneself as a credible source and connecting with possible host bloggers, one also has to follow certain online etiquette in reaching out for these opportunities and be able to deliver the exceptional content promised. However, some may not realize that guest blogging does not end once the article has been published. It is important to follow up, thank the host blogger for the opportunity, be engaged with any comments or feedback from the blog followers, and continue to nurture that relationship so that future guest blogging opportunities will be available to you.
Guest bloggers typically, if not always, maintain their own blogs. With one’s own blog it is always the goal to engage readers and create conversation. When posting to another’s blog as a guest blogger there is the same goal. A guest blogger has the opportunity to offer a fresh perspective on the blog’s usual theme.
This should result in activity from readers. This is where the guest blogging position continues to carry responsibility after the article has been posted. Respond to reader’s comments or questions. Stay actively engaged. This is the opportunity to showoff knowledge and gain more personal followers by using the guest blogging platform to the fullest extent. Also, it lets the host blogger see if you are a committed guest blogger, or were simply using the chance to increase back links.
Some comments may be critical, questioning, or even negative. If so, a response is still in order, but remember to uphold the same level of respect and civility that would be shown to one’s own followers. Guest bloggers must mind their manners as a guest in another person’s home would be on their best behavior. The host blogger has taken a tremendous leap of faith in offering up this opportunity; do not disrespect their generosity by harming their blog or insulting followers.
After posting to a host blog, a guest blogger has a responsibility to remain engaged with readers, as well as with the blogger who offered the opportunity. Send an e-mail to thank them, discuss what went well and make sure to say something along the lines of hoping to work with them again in the future. Hopefully, the host blogger will offer some feedback to give insight as to what was well executed and what to do differently if you work together again later on. In any situation where one is working independently, partnerships are a valuable tool to have.
Working with another blogger can not only provide a great sounding board to discuss ideas with, especially if both bloggers are in the same field, but increased exposure for both parties. Blogs with great content continue to grow and attract new readers, so the opportunity to be published as a guest blogger again in the future will only increase one’s online exposure even more.
Part of continuing to nurture that relationship is staying connected to that blog and the blogger’s social media. Bloggers have the responsibility of protecting their own reputations, so make sure the host blog continues to be a quality blog with an active readership. Also, make sure that there is still a relevant connection between the host blog and your own blog. Over time any number of changes can take place, so do everything to continue to be aware of that blogger’s image and if the there is still a viable opportunity for a blogging partnership.
Post from: eWritings - Online Public Relations
Guest Blogging: Following Up After Publication
