I would not do this at all. I think Darren, Jen and Phillip are exactly right. I do have a slightly different take.

The challenge of guest blogging for me resides in dealing with a wholly new audience. The way I usually solve that challenge is by reaching out to them directly. The last time I guest blogged I got the opportunity to post multiple times, and so I spent a good 5 posts highlighting posts of bloggers that made up the audience of the blog I was guest blogging at. I wrote about these posts in the style of the blogger I was replacing: very complimentary, providing answers to questions the posts raised that provoked more questions, and linking to other posts by the blogger whose blog I was on and the person I was writing about.

Even spending time basically doing advertising for the blog’s audience, working within their frame of reference as exactly as possible, it was a tough sell. The comment threads only picked up for my posts towards the end of the guest blogging stint. And none of the people whose posts I had highlighted cared to link back to my own blog or say thanks, save one. It was other members of the audience who actually checked out my blog, complimented me, and linked back.

I don’t think how fickle a blog audience is can be underestimated. One main reason why I do read the bloggers who blog about blogging is because it’s nice to be treated nicely by someone online for a change.

The main benefit of guest blogging for me is that I write something wholly different from what I usually write. To pay to post implies that I need to advertise myself not as flexible, but rather provide a “lead-in” to my own blog. I would much rather be blogging in the style of another blogger or catering to his audience in the way I’m catered to. I guest posted at blogs I read normally, and it was quite an honor to try and see as another blogger does, and appreciate how he tailors content to me and some others.

I would not do this at all. I think Darren, Jen and Phillip are exactly right. I do have a slightly different take.

The challenge of guest blogging for me resides in dealing with a wholly new audience. The way I usually solve that challenge is by reaching out to them directly. The last time I guest blogged I got the opportunity to post multiple times, and so I spent a good 5 posts highlighting posts of bloggers that made up the audience of the blog I was guest blogging at. I wrote about these posts in the style of the blogger I was replacing: very complimentary, providing answers to questions the posts raised that provoked more questions, and linking to other posts by the blogger whose blog I was on and the person I was writing about.

Even spending time basically doing advertising for the blog’s audience, working within their frame of reference as exactly as possible, it was a tough sell. The comment threads only picked up for my posts towards the end of the guest blogging stint. And none of the people whose posts I had highlighted cared to link back to my own blog or say thanks, save one. It was other members of the audience who actually checked out my blog, complimented me, and linked back.

I don’t think how fickle a blog audience is can be underestimated. One main reason why I do read the bloggers who blog about blogging is because it’s nice to be treated nicely by someone online for a change.

The main benefit of guest blogging for me is that I write something wholly different from what I usually write. To pay to post implies that I need to advertise myself not as flexible, but rather provide a “lead-in” to my own blog. I would much rather be blogging in the style of another blogger or catering to his audience in the way I’m catered to. I guest posted at blogs I read normally, and it was quite an honor to try and see as another blogger does, and appreciate how he tailors content to me and some others.

He’ll be viewed as pimping out his readership to make a buck. If it is disclosed, does it make any difference? The reader is still going to feel “used” by the blogger to make a buck.

There are two parts to this equation, without the readership, there wouldn’t be a buck to be made. So, if someone pays to guest post, many will ask why isn’t the readership being paid.

@Mark, such a site exists–Performancing.com.

Best,
Philip Liu

He’ll be viewed as pimping out his readership to make a buck. If it is disclosed, does it make any difference? The reader is still going to feel “used” by the blogger to make a buck.

There are two parts to this equation, without the readership, there wouldn’t be a buck to be made. So, if someone pays to guest post, many will ask why isn’t the readership being paid.

@Mark, such a site exists–Performancing.com.

Best,
Philip Liu

From an authenticity perspective though – it is usually fairly obvious when something is an advertisement (which I think paying to post would be categorised as.) When you read a magazine and all of a sudden you realise you’re reading an ‘article’ that seems awfully one-sided it’s not uncommon to see that little mention at the top corner of the page that says ‘advertorial’ and it all makes sense.

From an authenticity perspective though – it is usually fairly obvious when something is an advertisement (which I think paying to post would be categorised as.) When you read a magazine and all of a sudden you realise you’re reading an ‘article’ that seems awfully one-sided it’s not uncommon to see that little mention at the top corner of the page that says ‘advertorial’ and it all makes sense.

Income is always nice and hard to refuse–right? People who buy will want some type of control. Then you’d have to compromise your message and your purpose. It always helps to go back to your mission statement with these types of dilemmas.

Paying would also limit your audience to those who had $. You could possibly miss opportunities for up and coming talent who may not have $. You might also alienate some of your current readers.

Celine

Income is always nice and hard to refuse–right? People who buy will want some type of control. Then you’d have to compromise your message and your purpose. It always helps to go back to your mission statement with these types of dilemmas.

Paying would also limit your audience to those who had $. You could possibly miss opportunities for up and coming talent who may not have $. You might also alienate some of your current readers.

Celine

Very interesting idea. Based on Darren’s comment, I imagine that people are already doing this. I am sure this will catch on as it can be worthwhile for both the advertiser and the blogger.

Sure, it will be controversial, but ultimately it will be up to those involved to decide if it is good for their business.

Very interesting idea. Based on Darren’s comment, I imagine that people are already doing this. I am sure this will catch on as it can be worthwhile for both the advertiser and the blogger.

Sure, it will be controversial, but ultimately it will be up to those involved to decide if it is good for their business.

I’ve been blogging for money for more than a year now. Although I was happy with the pay, one thing that always bugged me was that I could generate the same amount of content for my own blog/s. Another thing that troubled me was that most of my posts that I wrote for my clients ended up on the first page of Google: it could have been me. So gradually I’m putting more effort into my own blog/s.

I’ve been blogging for money for more than a year now. Although I was happy with the pay, one thing that always bugged me was that I could generate the same amount of content for my own blog/s. Another thing that troubled me was that most of my posts that I wrote for my clients ended up on the first page of Google: it could have been me. So gradually I’m putting more effort into my own blog/s.

Personally, I don’t see it working too well. One of the reasons guest posting works so well is because no money is involved: it’s all about your networking and your relationships with other bloggers, and the trust that exists between them and their readers. That trust is transferred from the readers to the blog’s guest posters. I think money could kill that trust. The oversight required to prevent that from happening might outweigh any other advantage.

For some blogs it would work (John Chow, for example), but for some I don’t think it would work well at all.

Shall we try it and see?

Personally, I don’t see it working too well. One of the reasons guest posting works so well is because no money is involved: it’s all about your networking and your relationships with other bloggers, and the trust that exists between them and their readers. That trust is transferred from the readers to the blog’s guest posters. I think money could kill that trust. The oversight required to prevent that from happening might outweigh any other advantage.

For some blogs it would work (John Chow, for example), but for some I don’t think it would work well at all.

Shall we try it and see?