Your post did get me thinking about the fact that being approached to be a guest blogger is flattering as the host has considered and respects your style of writing. but also got me thinking about the criteria should we use to evaluate if we should accept the invitation to be a guest blogger in the first instance.

Being a guest blogger is a great way to build your brand online, extend your reach and hopefully if people like what you write they may subscribe to your blog.

But not carefully managed it could work against you.

Your post did get me thinking about the fact that being approached to be a guest blogger is flattering as the host has considered and respects your style of writing. but also got me thinking about the criteria should we use to evaluate if we should accept the invitation to be a guest blogger in the first instance.

Being a guest blogger is a great way to build your brand online, extend your reach and hopefully if people like what you write they may subscribe to your blog.

But not carefully managed it could work against you.

Being a guest blogger can be risky; consider the last 2 posts on JohnChow.com that were done by a guest blogger. His first post was not favored by many ["too long", "boring", "commercial", etc] and his second post is still being criticized. The guest blogger is trying, though I am sure that shows John that having a guest blogger can mean that the content quality and style, no matter how good, may not be favored by your regular readers if someone new starts blogging on your site all of a sudden. John is still trying and has good content, and the guest bloggers are doing their best also. I guess many readers want to read the kind of posts they are already used to.

I think writing in your guest blog post something like “This is my first post here and I am not used to writing for you all, so if I write something boring, please go easy on me and let me know how I can improve. I will do my best to impress you in my next post!”

Courtesy, preparation and collaboration: good summary. I guess I should look forward to other aspects of guest blogging.

Thanks for sharing, Chris. This makes me want to guest blog or find guest bloggers even more.

Being a guest blogger can be risky; consider the last 2 posts on JohnChow.com that were done by a guest blogger. His first post was not favored by many ["too long", "boring", "commercial", etc] and his second post is still being criticized. The guest blogger is trying, though I am sure that shows John that having a guest blogger can mean that the content quality and style, no matter how good, may not be favored by your regular readers if someone new starts blogging on your site all of a sudden. John is still trying and has good content, and the guest bloggers are doing their best also. I guess many readers want to read the kind of posts they are already used to.

I think writing in your guest blog post something like “This is my first post here and I am not used to writing for you all, so if I write something boring, please go easy on me and let me know how I can improve. I will do my best to impress you in my next post!”

Courtesy, preparation and collaboration: good summary. I guess I should look forward to other aspects of guest blogging.

Thanks for sharing, Chris. This makes me want to guest blog or find guest bloggers even more.

With regards to guest blogging, do you think that there is any good or proper way for the guest blogger to approach more prominent bloggers in their field offering guest content?

Is it considered ‘polite’ to offer guest content or is that seen as self-serving and you should wait until the more prominent blogger offers you a spot/requests content?

I’m curious about this, because I see guest articles on a number of blogs I read but rarely any requests for content. I’m wondering if these are bloggers that are generally approached for guest content privately or if they just send in a nice, personalized email offering the content in exchange for a backlink.

With regards to guest blogging, do you think that there is any good or proper way for the guest blogger to approach more prominent bloggers in their field offering guest content?

Is it considered ‘polite’ to offer guest content or is that seen as self-serving and you should wait until the more prominent blogger offers you a spot/requests content?

I’m curious about this, because I see guest articles on a number of blogs I read but rarely any requests for content. I’m wondering if these are bloggers that are generally approached for guest content privately or if they just send in a nice, personalized email offering the content in exchange for a backlink.

I like lifehack, it seems to be doing the right things IMO

I like lifehack, it seems to be doing the right things IMO

These are some great points to consider. I’ve been a guest contributor over at lifehack.org for several months, and I think Leon does a great job of managing it. I think “Write to the audience…” is one of the most important.

I’ve also been approached by a couple of people who asked about guest blogging on my site. I’m considering it, but I had some of the concerns you address here.

These are some great points to consider. I’ve been a guest contributor over at lifehack.org for several months, and I think Leon does a great job of managing it. I think “Write to the audience…” is one of the most important.

I’ve also been approached by a couple of people who asked about guest blogging on my site. I’m considering it, but I had some of the concerns you address here.