Following the Penguin and Panda Google Updates, guest blogging has become a massive part of online life.
Do you use guest bloggers to produce content?
Have you shied away from using them due to lack of quality?
Do you feel that guest bloggers are only after one thing?
The truth is that guest bloggers can be useful. If you have a relatively small team for writing then guest bloggers are able to produce the additional content you need to push your website that step further.
Some excellent contributions from
guest bloggers really can enhance your blog or website, and if you have a regular pool of quality contributors, you can have a bank of content ready for you at all times.
10 ideas for getting the most out of your guest bloggers.
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1 – Request IdeasIf you have an offer from a potential writer to guest blog for you then first of all request some ideas. They may be able to provide you with some samples of former content and some really good ideas that fit well with your website. If they don't get your website, they won't get you decent content so say "thank you very much but no".
2 – Get Topics Agreed Before WritingOften we find that our guest posters produce content that's very good but doesn't work with our website. It's therefore important to agree beforehand the themes and topics within the pieces to ensure that you get what you need. Synergy is key.
3 – Select Bloggers CarefullyThere are so many people out there looking to guest post on good sites that the volume makes it easy to be selective. You have to have a process in place to ensure that you wean out the lower quality bloggers and develop a bank of high quality contributors. Be willing to say "no" or ask for a re-edit.
4 – Be Clear About ExpectationsIn our business we receive many posts that are run of the mill standard posts without an angle and without any interest. Explain exactly what you expect on your blog. You may want thousand word plus posts with no links in the content, and no promotion, but allow a link in the bio. Whatever your expectations ensure that you are clear about them in your communicated criteria on your site and in responses to guest posters.
5 – Request Images and MultimediaOften websites get guest posts that are excellent but just miss the mark because they don't have infographics, statistics, images, or anything that raises the tone of the content to the premier league level. Ensure that you ask your guest bloggers to contribute these additional resources and that you get resources that are royalty free and therefore can be used.
6 – Quiz Them about Your WebsiteIt's well worth finding out how much the guest bloggers know about your website so that they can communicate to you that they have actually understood what you are all about. By understanding the audience on your sites guest bloggers will hit the mark and will help you to enhance your brand. If, however, they really don't get what you are all about, their content will not be received very well by your website audience.
7 – Work with the Guest Blogger DirectlyIt's always best to work directly with guest bloggers who are looking for a place to put their content. When you are working with PR agencies or SEO companies you'll often find that the content gets written by people other than the person you're speaking to. This means that you have to constantly reiterate points and the relationship that you are building in is not with the person that is actually developing the content.
8 – Don't Waste Your TimeDon't waste your time on guest posters that aren't going to cut the mustard. You can set your expectations and standards, make some suggestions, but if they are not getting it then just move on and say "no". There are plenty of guest bloggers out there looking to contribute for your business so ensure that you find those; spend time getting the best of the best.
9 – Ensure ExclusivityYou should always ensure that the content that's going up on your website is unique for you and not being recycled or used on other websites. Duplicate content can be penalized in Google and certainly will have little merit in terms of your website brand development. It could even be worse, as you may get associated with another website that contains the content and damage your brand through this association process.
10 – Provide FeedbackIt really is important to get feedback in any walk of life. As someone taking guest blogs it is your feedback process that will lead to improving content and improving relationships with your guest bloggers. Demand change requests and enhancements but do so in a constructive way explaining that you want the best content you can for your website and that you want to develop an ongoing relationship where the guest blogger understands what you want, what you need, and what you expect.
Using guest posters is a great way to get high quality content on a regular basis. Formalize a process for your online properties, and make the most of the opportunity to use highly talented and knowledgeable writers without having to spend a penny.