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Jan
17

How to Avoid Insulting Bloggers When Writing Link Requests and Guest Post E-Mails

Bloggers are a sensitive bunch. I should know – after all I am one.

We’re egotistical (why else would we think the whole world wants to hear what we think?) and we’re not great at working with others (why else would we do a job that doesn’t require us to put on pants?) and as such we are easily offended when we get e-mails out the blue taking up our precious time and telling us what to do.

And this is bad news if you’re one of those people who are trying to get a link or a guest post published on someone else’s site – because it means that more likely than not your request is just going to annoy them and get deleted.

Unless you go about it the right way that is.

So let’s look at some tips to help you with that…

Be Personal

I’m not encourage you to say mean, personal things – because obviously that will only make you more likely to insult the blogger you’re trying to woo. What I mean by being personal then is to forget those auto-generated messages that some spammy-SEO types send round and instead to spend time reading their blog and to then make it evident that you’ve done so when you write to them.

That means writing their actual name, commenting on their blog, and then addressing why your content or a link to your site is a perfect fit for them. Tailor your approach to fit your chosen blogger and you’ll be much more likely to be successful. If it’s a guest post you’re after then better yet you should write a guest post that actually responds or follows on from a post or article they already have published on their site.

Choose Wisely

Of course though there are only certain blogs that you can realistically tailor your requests for. You won’t have any luck if you have a bodybuilder site and you’re trying to get a link on a website about insurance because it’s just not a natural fit and it will look as though you haven’t spent any time looking at the site you’re targeting, which is insulting.

Don’t Presume or Badger

As a sensitive blogger myself I can tell you one of the things that really winds me up when I get it in my inbox – and that’s being told that they’ve ‘gone ahead and posted a link to [my] site’ on theirs, or that I should ‘respond ASAP’. These people want something from me, and yet they have the gall to act as though they can call the shots.

Don’t be Picky

Likewise I don’t like being told not to use ‘nofollow’ or to keep the ‘exact keyphrase’. If you’re punching above your weight trying to get your link onto someone else’s site then you should be happy with what you get. Most of the time they won’t include the nofollow and they know that you want the exact wording – but if they don’t that’s their prerogative and you should be happy you got a link there at all.

  • Image License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://www.andertoons.com/

Mike is a well-known seo blogger. He has written an article on how to get on the first page of google on one of his blogs which has garnered many positive responses from his followers. He is an internet marketing consultant by profession.

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About Kiesha Easley

This is my blog - where I love to encourage bloggers. My hope is that you'll leave this blog with more than you came with; you'll learn something new or will at least be engaged and entertained.
In addition to teaching others how to blog, I'm also a college instructor who teaches students how to write for mass media.
I've guest posted on Problogger, DIYThemes and many others. I'm also the author of Highly Favored, a blog devoted to Christian inspiration & encouragement. Please follow me on twitter @weblogbetter or on Facebook.

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Comments

  1. Great tips Kiesha, I try to be as polite as possible and mention an article I enjoyed on their blog.

  2. Nice article :). Nice tips, how ever, as everything that is good, getting those quality links needs time!
    Sebastian Koch recently posted..Cómo Saber qué theme y plugins tiene una web de WordPressMy Profile

  3. awesome post!!

    you have well command on this topic ” How to Avoid Insulting Bloggers When Writing Link Requests and Guest Post E-Mails”, you have strong point .

    Thanks.
    Manisha Singh recently posted..SEO: URL OptimizationMy Profile

  4. i always get these mails. when someone wants their guest post to be published. if i find it interesting i allow them to submit their posts otherwise i say “no”. nice post, worth sharing
    prabhat recently posted..HTC M7 Specifications and Features: The New Smartphone from HTCMy Profile

  5. Hello,
    Many thanks for the tips, learned something new again.
    thank you again.

  6. It’s important to give due respect to bloggers, while approaching them for link exchange.
    Pankaj recently posted..Mobile Recharge SoftwareMy Profile

  7. This is a very helpful. Though, I have question….do you have any suggestions if you don’t hear anything no response, no email, nothing after an email for a guest blog post. Would you suggest maybe just one more follow and try and than just move on or do you have any suggestions or thoughts?

    Thanks for your post and time,

    Eric
    Eric recently posted..13 Successful Blogging Tips For YouMy Profile

  8. After reading this article, I have an idea to avoid insulting bloggers. Thanks for sharing this useful post.

  9. After, reading this article I have an idea to avoid insulting bloggers. Thanks for sharing this interesting article with us.

  10. the truth is this s really one of the most challenging post, though i never message anyone for link exchange, i think with this steps am gonna give it a trial…
    King Globalwalyy recently posted..How to get Rids of your Pimples with ToothpasteMy Profile

  11. amazing article . Keep is real and people will keep it real with you
    rahul recently posted..Coaching in Management for UGC NET in DelhiMy Profile

  12. Today we have attached strongly with social media so it is necessary to avoid insulting bloggers. thanks to share this blog
    dauly recently posted..How to prepare for CCNA?My Profile

  13. Good topic Mike,

    You never can know what will “insult” an uber sensitive trendy blogger these days.
    The best strategy is to work your plan.

    Fishermen don’t expect to catch a fish every time they cast their line and you won’t make a connection with a blogger on every email.

    Just remember, Prince used to open for Rick James.
    Darnell Jackson recently posted..#ThrowbackThursday Running Jackets for Professional Bloggers.My Profile

  14. Great post. Keep is real and people will keep it real with you. There are no short cuts and in this game it is tit for tat. No one is going to just hand over good links unless your content is worthy of the links and you treat other how you would like to be treated. It’s not hard, but people make it hard by trying to take short cuts. It doesn’t work that way.
    Michael recently posted..How to Avoid Insulting Bloggers When Writing Link Requests and Guest Post E-Mails My Profile

  15. One thing that I know increases success rate with guest post requests is being a known member of the host blogger’s community. Just as in real life, the rules change when we are dealing with people who make up our inner circle. Try this next time…

    Become one of the top three commenters on a blog and then make a pitch (of course, taking into consideration all the points noted in this article) and you’ll see how the blogger would respond — Positively even if they don’t grant your request.
    Chimezirim Odimba recently posted..How To Make $10k Every 90 Days — Smart Hard Work RequiredMy Profile

  16. Great post Mike!

    I was looking around the warriorforum and found your site. I haven’t tried to contact any other bloggers for guest posting as of now, but it is something that I would like to use in the near future.

    Thanks for sharing some of the etiquette that you would like to see from fellow bloggers. I’ll keep your tips in mind when contacting others for a gust post.

  17. Really interesting article, now I know how to go about getting links to my blog.
    Social lifestyle recently posted..Types of Home Heating Systems: Which One Is Best for Your Home?My Profile

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