In this digital age, blogs have evolved into dynamic
platforms that bring all sorts of benefits. From sharing creative insights to
building a personal brand, blogging is all about connecting and sharing engaging
content to a global audience. The act of blogging, therefore, opens doors to a
world of opportunities and rewards.
Running a blog isn't easy, especially for entrepreneurs and
small business owners. Not only does it take a lot of time and effort, but it
also requires out of-the-box thinking. Moreover, you must stick to a consistent
publishing schedule, which can be difficult when you hit writer's block. You
need to be able to provide insightful and engaging content to your audience. If
you are knowledgeable about your niche, you can start a blog and write
interesting content that your readers will love and end up wanting to read
more. Through this, your blog has the potential to grow its reach. If you feel
that you are not so clued up about a certain article topic, but you feel
creating this article will have a lot of potential on your blog, you can then
host a guest writer to write a specially tailored article on your blog.
Guest writers can help you diversify your content and breathe new life into your blog, saving you hours of hard work. In exchange, they will get exposure and reach a wider audience. The challenge lies in knowing when to say "yes" to potential guest bloggers. Make sure to provide guest writers with a guideline that outlines all the specifications that need to be met, if they want to post an article on your site.
What Is Guest Posting?
About 60% of B2B companies use content marketing to drive customer loyalty.
Approximately 50% leverage this marketing strategy to nurture their audiences,
whereas more than 40% use it to generate sales. Similarly, B2C enterprises
publish content online to attract, nurture, and convert prospects.
Content marketing encompasses a wide range of activities,
including guest posting. This strategy involves publishing articles on other
websites and blogs to drive brand awareness, build credibility, and gain
exposure online. It also plays a key role in search engine optimization, or
SEO, helping guest writers build high-quality links and get website traffic.
Feeling confused? Let's say you run a website that sells
sports supplements or workout plans. In either case, you can publish relevant
content on non-competing websites and blogs to grow your reach. For example,
you could reach out to Men's Health or SELF and offer to write about the
benefits of weight training. Your guest post will include one or more links to
your site or social media pages, plus a short bio. This practice can boost your
SEO and marketing efforts, as well as your reputation.
But if you have a website or blog, you can also accept guest posts from other small business owners and entrepreneurs. This brings us to the next point...
Why You Should Accept Guest Posts on Your Blog
Most entrepreneurs have a full plate, which leaves little
time for blogging. It's common to see business websites and blogs that feature
just one or two posts or haven't been updated in years. Sure, you may hire a
writer or outsource content creation, but the cost can be high.
One solution is to partner with guest writers who can provide value to your audience. By doing so, you'll find it easier to keep your blog fresh and up-to-date, increase brand awareness, and engage readers. Other potential benefits include:
1. Diversify the content on your blog
2. Boost your search engine rankings
3. Reach a larger audience
4. Save time and resources
5. Build relationships with other professionals
6. Ensure a consistent flow of content
It's also worth mentioning that guest writers often bring unique perspectives to the table. Some of them are entrepreneurs or industry experts who can provide valuable information. Their work can add value to your blog, increasing its appeal to potential customers and business partners.
How to Find Guest Writers for Your Blog
Most guest writers want to see their work published on
high-authority websites and blogs with a large following. But if your website
is new, you'll have to reach out to bloggers and other professionals willing to
share their insights.
For starters, join industry forums and chat rooms to find
experts in your niche. If, say, you provide marketing or SEO services, register
on the Warrior Forum to connect with content creators. Another option is to
join Help A Reporter Out (HARO), submit a query, and wait to hear back from industry
experts who wish to contribute to your blog. Alternatively, join Quora and
relevant Facebook groups to find potential contributors.
When reaching out to writers, be clear about what's in it for them. For example, you can allow them to link back to their websites, pay for their work, or give them a discount or freebies.
Know When to Say "No"
Guest blogging can be a fantastic opportunity to diversify
your content, but you need to do it right. The key is to publish high-quality
original content that resonates with your audience. Therefore, you can't accept
every submission you receive.
Some writers are not that skilled, and their work could
reflect poorly on your brand. Others may want to submit previously published
posts or articles unrelated to your niche. Keeping that in mind, set up a page
for potential contributors. Let them know you're open to guest posts that meet
certain requirements in terms of word count, writing tone, grammar, and so on.
You may also list some topics you'd like to cover, such as "How to Become
a Blogger" or "Top 10 Small Business Apps."
Be clear about the type of content you want to see and
provide relevant examples. Mention the number of links to be included, as well
as other details, such as specific keywords or sourcing guidelines.
Last but not least, research the guest writers you're interested in. Look up their names online to see what else they have published and how they promote their work. As a rule of thumb, accept only those guest posts that are unique, insightful, and relevant to your audience.
Build Meaningful Connections and Keep Your Blog Fresh
Whether you're a freelancer or small
business owner, you can leverage blogging to grow your reach. The best part
is, you don't have to do it alone. There are hundreds of guest writers who'd be
more than happy to contribute to your blog. What matters most is to team up
with those who can bring value to the table. Ideally, build lasting
relationships with them so you can tap into their expertise for years to come.
And who knows, at some point, those writers could become part of your team.
