If you run your own blog or are thinking about starting one, you have probably begun to realize the importance of the guest post. For one thing, it is a great way for new writers to get their name out in the blogosphere and begin building up a portfolio of posted work that they can then direct prospective clients to.
It can also be very handy for those that are looking to bring more traffic to their own blog since most hosting sites will allow you to add your link at the bottom of the post (especially if you’re supplying free content). In addition, you are providing an invaluable service to another blogger who may be overwhelmed by the demands of running a busy blog (or several). That said, as someone looking to guest post, you should be prepared to face the inevitable: rejection.
Heed this warning: You WILL be rejected, at least once, but probably frequently. If you’re a beginning writer, chances are you have a lot to learn about the fine art of tailoring your text to the specifications of each site. Even seasoned writers may find it difficult to meet the demands of so many different bloggers.
It’s not easy to be versatile, but it can be done, so don’t let a few rejections stop you from trying. It’s all part of the learning process. Of course, it couldn’t hurt to start by selecting sites that cover topics that are interrelated to your area of expertise. There’s a far better chance of acceptance, in some cases, if the blog owner you are soliciting feels that his or her readership will find your article interesting and relevant.
You should also be aware that some blogs, whether because they are very specialized (think tech, medicine, etc.) or very popular, may not even consider a guest post from someone unknown, regardless of your writing skills. They may prefer noted specialists or celebrities, so for a better acceptance rate, try to choose blogs that you may actually have a prayer of impressing. And don’t forget that there are a lot of other people out there trying to do exactly the same thing as you.
Now is an excellent time to be a freelance writer, especially if you are resourceful and well-versed on a wide variety of topics, but don’t forget that you have competition, and there’s always someone who is better or works harder. The point is, you have to hustle if you’re going to promote yourself. “Resting on your laurels” is reserved for those rare few who have won the Nobel Prize.
If you’ve been at it for awhile and still find that you are having a tough time gaining entry into the wide world of guest posting, take a long, hard look at what you are doing. Maybe you aren’t really cut out for this type of writing, or maybe you just aren’t ready.
Keep in mind that most people who are running a successful blog of their own have paid their dues in one way or another, just like you, and they are doubtless adept at spotting an effort that is substandard or sophomoric. So if you’re going to continue to petition blogs for guest posts, be professional! In other words, don’t get sloppy or neglect the small stuff. Use spell check. Get a proofreader. And most importantly, take the time to familiarize yourself with what a site offers and their standards for posting. This, more than anything, will help to ensure you don’t waste your time (or theirs).
Guest post by: Sarah Harris of Zen College Life where you can browse online degree programs and locate the best online colleges.
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About Guest Author
Twitter: CollegeoContent
says:
running your own blog and creating guest posts at same time is very challenging. It’s recommended that if guest posts get rejected, you value a chair writing style and make necessary changes. Resubmit your guest post to see what’s good on potentially getting approved. If your guest post continues to get rejected, still evaluate your writing style, and perhaps publish your guest post to your own blog, as it would add to the unique content of your own blog site. And as they always say… Never give up!
Well I was starting to try my hand at guest posting and I found that you are right. I got rejected most of the time. I am still trying to get more approvals that rejections. I appreciate the insight to post approval and will try harder.Thanks
You should not stop writing posts until you got approval. ;)
organic SEO is always the best coz google likes natural link building~’;
Organic SEO is always the best as Google likes you to optimize your page in an organic way.“’
Yeah, guest writing is not easy as some people think. You need to know what the webmaster want. You fulfill the requirement, your post will be published.
I believe most of us have experienced the guest post rejection and learned how to deal with it and then find a way on how to improve!
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Nasrul,
I’ve definitely had my share of rejection :) Although, what’s worse to me is when my guest post is ignored completely with no response about whether it’s been accepted or decline. I hate that limbo feeling. Then it seems like as soon as I decide to publish the post elsewhere, that’s when it suddenly gets accepted – too late!
I remember the first ever guest post I sent out…to Mr ProBlogger himself.
And he said ‘yes’. Within a matter of hours of me sending the post, it was live on Darren’s blog.
I received a few hundred visitors as a result.
(I tried again a few months later and he said, ‘too busy, sorry!).
Can’t win them all!
Andrew
.-= Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..Avoiding The Pitfalls Of Internet Scamming =-.
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Andrew!
Wow! That’s still an amazing accomplishment to be proud of. But you’re right, can’t win ‘em all. But it doesn’t hurt to try! :)
My main blogs are all in german. From my experience it is so much harder to get the opportunity to guest post where I am from (Austria) than on a normal blog in english.
Don’t know why but it seems as you said that you already need to have a “name” in your niche to get the chance.
Despite the high rejection rate when you get the opportunity you get great links most of the time.
.-= Alex @ Zahnbleaching´s last blog ..Zahnseide FAQ: Wie verwende ich Zahnseide richtig? =-.
Guest posting really is a good way in increasing reputation and to have quality backlinks as well. But what are the factors that may result for a submitted blog to get rejected? The competition of bloggers in a certain niche is really tight, and chances of getting rejected is much higher than being accepted, in most cases particularly to those who are just starting to blog. Hmm, hope you can discuss this things on your next entry Sarah :)
I never tried guesting on other blogs yet, since I’m still doing well with other organic SEO methods. But just to be safe, I’ll be glad to ask this things from experts, apparently you are one of them :)
I’ve both been rejected and have rejected others posts to my sites. For me it’s always much harder to have to do the rejecting than to get rejected.
When something I write gets rejected I either scrap it or try to improve it (or use it on my own blogs) but when I have to reject someone’s article I feel bad about it. I always try to include a specific reason why I’m rejecting it as well. At least then they can try to fix the problem.
But here’s a fact that everyone who gets rejected should consider. Book authors, except for the very rare occasions, go through years of rejection letters. They take each one in stride and improve their work. They don’t just turn around and try to pawn it off on the next schmuck down the line.
.-= B. Durant@Pet Snakes´s last blog ..Pet Snakes answers your emails (week 3) =-.
Rejection is always a part of the equation. What matter most is the lessons it will give us and how we handle the situation. Great post Sarah!
Some of the nice mention tips Sarah.
One thing I would like to add here, as we must think like the owner of site where we are going to submit our article. As to what quality post we should publish on our personal blog.
.-= Hami´s last blog ..Beautify Your Twitter Profile Backgrounds in Seconds =-.
There have been so many blogs that I have wanted to guest post for, but my experience does not match the quality of the sites. So as you said rejection is inevitable.
As a beginner at blogging area, we need to make much preparations for being rejected when we submit our guest posts to those popular blogs.
.-= Calking@ Online Business Guide´s last blog ..Online Business Directories Vs Printed Directories – 4 Advantages for Business Owners =-.
You should not stop writing posts until you got approval. The only possible way to improve your writing skill is to write and write.
Thank you for the great comments! In regards to Chris…yes, you’ve figured me out…I am doing it for the links but I am also doing it for the love. I don’t write about topics that I am not passionate about.
I have written a couple of posts for blogs on topics that I didn’t get to choose and those didn’t go so well. Now I just stick to the topics I know and love.
Thanks again!
Lovely, I have been rejected a few times and I think of it as a test, if it gets rejected, then it means you need to work harder and reach a level that you are able to pass the test.
.-= Gautam Hans @ Blog Godown´s last blog ..Traditional SEO vs Social SEO =-.
Hi Sarah,
You are totally right in my book. That’s the downside to blogging. One would have to develop thick skin when setting out to guest post for different bloggers. Especially blogs in niches that you’re not experienced in. I think you gave some great advice on picking blogs with topics that we’re familiar with. Great stuff.
thanks for sharing!!
.-= Jarrod@ Optimistic Journey´s last blog ..Speak Your Destiny Into Existence =-.
I’ve found most of my guest posting efforts have not really paid off at all actually.
At least in terms of converting new visitors to regular readers at my own blog.
I think most people these days are just guest posting for links and I assume the same could be said about you Sarah (based on the keyword links in your bio).
The EDU lead generation space is a high paying one though so best of luck in your rankings.
.-= Chris Guthrie´s last blog ..MaxBlogPress Ninja Affiliate Review =-.
Very useful tips, although I have received a lot of guest posts on our multi-authors blog I didn’t reject posts by the mean, I prefer to have a little chat with the blogger by mail and tell him what he should do or I even edit some part of the article by myself to make things work better, I do this for three reasons:
- Help the blogger to understand how guest blogging could work better for both of us!
- to get the post published and NOT rejected, I really don’t like to disappoint anyone!
- It’s not good to reject posts as this will reduce guest blogging on our blog!
I just wanted to talk about the topic from another perceptive, thanks you for the good read!
.-= Hesham @ Hot to Blog´s last blog ..Why Guest Blogging is NOT Working for my Awesome Blog =-.