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6:26 am
May 25, 2013
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thefrugalmodel
| | New York City | |
| Member | posts 17 | 
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Hi guys – so I've been posting twice a week and I know that's just not enough.
The issue is that I really like keeping my content meaty and full of info. I also like keeping it light, funny and engaging. I've been getting a greater number of requests lately for people to submit guest posts, but I feel like it's difficult to find posts that can match the voice that I've built for the site. Plus, I feel like many requests also want a link back to some sort of credit building site or something which seems like a red flag.
Any suggestions on finding good guests posts? Also, does it matter if the person has already posted the piece to their own site? Thank you for your help!!
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6:47 am
May 25, 2013
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Michael @ The Student Loan Sherpa
| | Indianapolis, Indiana | |
| Member | posts 71 |
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I've recently had people approaching me with similar requests. I've created the following rules for people who want to guest post on my site:
- any link must be to a site that I deem reputable
- I have final say on all content (If I dont think your article meets my standards it wont get posted)
- The article can only appear on my site, if its posted elsewhere, it will be removed
- Articles must be a minimum of 500 words
- I also give google plus authorship credit
Last week I exchanged a series of emails with someone who wanted to guest post on my site. Unfortunately, I didn't think the writing was of the level of quality I want, so I had to reject the article. It was difficult, because I thought highly of this author and didn't want to burn a bridge, but I felt it had to be done. Its definitely possible that I am a control freak when it comes to this stuff, but its my name and picture on the website, and I won't jeopardize my reputation just to add a little extra content. I know I've guest written on other pages, and similar restrictions have not scared me away.
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8:49 am
May 25, 2013
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Daisy
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| Member | posts 271 |
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I'm all for helping out other bloggers by letting them guest post on my site, and usually the quality is high. Be careful though – lots of the requests are likely coming from PR companies or businesses who want some PR juice, and if you let them "guest post" then Google may have an issue with it – essentially if they don't pay, you are offering them free advertising.
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12:43 pm
May 25, 2013
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ConsumerFu
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| Member | posts 48 |
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Ashley, there is nothing wrong with asking a guest poster to match the tone of your site / content.
I like to guest post because I get to interact with a lot of different people and I get to know fellow Yakezie challenge members better. (I don't currently pitch sites that aren't members of Yakezie.) Several of the sites in this group have excellent guidelines for guest posting prominently posted on their sites. Check Club Thrifty, Couple Money and PrairieEcoThrifter for examples. Set the requirements to be whatever you want.
There is nothing wrong with sharing Google juice (do follow links) with someone who has worked hard on a post that is relevant to your site and that is well written – especially if the writer is attentive in the comments and helps market the post on social media. That's what we should all be doing for each other.
The flip side of that is we should always give our best content when guest posting and have thick skin if what we deliver requires editing or isn't ultimately acceptable to the site owner.
Now…if the person requesting the guest post isn't a fellow blogger or is just in it for the link and you don't think you will ever see them again after they post….that's a different story.
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2:30 pm
May 25, 2013
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PK @ DQYDJ
| | The Intersection of Politics, Economics and Personal Finance. | |
| Moderator
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To echo Daisy – many requests for guest posts are advertisers in disguise. Make sure you're dealing with a non-commercial interest before you toss out those valuable links.
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8:25 pm
May 25, 2013
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Money Counselor
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| Member | posts 233 |
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Ashley, you're the owner and publisher, so you get to call all the shots. (Isn't that cool?)
Regarding the writing quality, etc. of guest posts: I agree with Michael, et al, they've got to meet your standards, and don't be afraid of offending. There's no need to be super specific about your reasons for declining a guest post. "Not a good fit" is a fairly innocuous and vague rejection.
But what really turns me off, even if the writing is excellent, is a link to a business that in my opinion is garbage, like a payday lender or "credit repair" outfit. When I see something like that, I lose respect for the blog/publisher. (Not that they care.)
May I offer a suggestion to cut dramatically the number of guest post requests you're getting (which may become desirable one day even if it isn't today). I put guest posts into two categories: 1) from true bloggers, Yakezie brethren, etc., and 2) writers and fake bloggers employed by the marketing arm of companies in some sort of business related to money. For the latter (#2s), make clear in your Guidelines that any link in a guest post will be designated nofollow. Since all #2s want is to worm their way into a dofollow link on your site, if you make plain that's not how you do business, they'll treat you as if you have a plague that can be transmitted through email.
Of course you could also ask to be paid to make any links for #2s dofollow. If you make that a habit, Google's grim reaper may one day pay your blog a visit.
Also: Who says two excellent post per week is too few? That's at least one more excellent post per week than many blogs manage, including my own! 
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2:50 am
May 26, 2013
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jonrhodesuk
| | UK | |
| Member | posts 277 |
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Hi Ashley. Ultimately it is up to you what you post on your blog. If you are not happy with the post or the link then you don't have to publish it. I have refused way more articles than I have accepted. Like discussed before you can give your own guidelines to what you will accept, and this can include the type of sites they can link to. You can for example insist that it is only to blogs that contains useful information to your readers.
I was unsure before I started accepting guest posts, but I think it has worked out well for me. Initially I was receiving a lot of poorly written content, but that seems to have stopped now. I think the spammers have finally got the message that I won't just accept anything. I was getting content with no substance, in bad English, and under the word count. When I rejected them they would often ask me to make an exception – no chance! I could have written a better article in literally 3 minutes!
The cool things from guest posts is that you can have content on your blog in areas that are out of your expertise. So you can give more value to your readers. Also if you encourage them, most guest posters will share their article on their Twitter, Facebook etc. This gives your blog exposure to new people. Some posters will ask you what sort of topics you are looking for. I often use this opportunity to get some content in my weaker areas of expertise.
My blog is about ethical affiliate marketing, so I won't accept posts about any dodgy black hat practices. I also make it very clear at the beginning of the article that it is a guest post so they know it is a different voice. I don't think your voice will become diluted. This is a worry I initially had. However if you are posting twice a day, it is unlikely that you will receive anywhere near that amount of submissions. You will probably have a least 10 of your posts for every guest post, so this shouldn't really be a problem.
Hope this helps!
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8:36 am
May 26, 2013
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Sustainable PF
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Bang on with the advice that these "guest posts" are for marketing intent. These requests won't stop. Quite often I find that if I respond indicating that if the article will market/advertise/promote a business there would be sponsorship discussions to follow the "guest poster" will either offer to sponsor the post or go away and spam another 50+ sites hoping to find free placements for their clients. At the end of the day they are being paid to do what they do – you need to decide if you think you should be similarly compensated.
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9:44 am
May 26, 2013
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thefrugalmodel
| | New York City | |
| Member | posts 17 |
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Amazing advice. Yakezie is such a valuable tool, and I'm really grateful for all of your help. I'm glad that I can share an already published piece as well, since I often come across articles that I really love, but I fear that it will mess up my SEO or something if I share it on my site.
Thank you again!
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1:45 am
May 27, 2013
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Pauline
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| Member | posts 274 |
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I gladly accept guest posts from fellow bloggers, that have interacted a bit on my site, or that I "know" from around the PF-sphere.
Recently a blogger in disguise asked me to do a guest post, the site they wanted to link to looked ok, but then they changed it to a payday loan site. The post was good but I rejected.
I do accept sponsored posts, but not free guest posts from commercial companies.
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7:02 am
May 27, 2013
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saverocity
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| Member | posts 88 |
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Pauline said:
I gladly accept guest posts from fellow bloggers, that have interacted a bit on my site, or that I "know" from around the PF-sphere.
Recently a blogger in disguise asked me to do a guest post, the site they wanted to link to looked ok, but then they changed it to a payday loan site. The post was good but I rejected.
I do accept sponsored posts, but not free guest posts from commercial companies.
This is a good point – when you allow guest posts you allow them to back link. Even if you control copy and can see that the link is currently pointed in the right direction there is no reason why in the future they cannot change the copy of that site to make it into something less pleasant, or just drop the site so you link to 404s. One more thing to worry about.
I'm agreeing to guest posts from established bloggers now, but have some of the same rules as mentioned here, I own the content and it cannot be posted elsewhere. I would think that a minimum blog age is important too as many drop by the wayside, though I guess if that did happen, since I own the content I can edit to break the links and leave it just as a piece on my site….
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8:40 am
May 27, 2013
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WellKeptWallet
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| Member | posts 207 |
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I know how you feel. I have had two emails already this morning looking to write a guest post. Here is a link to my Guest Post Guidelines to give you an idea of what I look for.
I hope you find that helpful.
Happy Memorial Day!
Deacon
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10:17 am
May 27, 2013
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PK @ DQYDJ
| | The Intersection of Politics, Economics and Personal Finance. | |
| Moderator
| posts 361 |
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saverocity said:
I'm agreeing to guest posts from established bloggers now, but have some of the same rules as mentioned here, I own the content and it cannot be posted elsewhere. I would think that a minimum blog age is important too as many drop by the wayside, though I guess if that did happen, since I own the content I can edit to break the links and leave it just as a piece on my site….
I wouldn't limit it strictly on how long they've been around though. We were all 'young' once, heh. In my archives I have tons of links to blogs that no longer update (or don't exist). Yet, at the time, I thought they had interesting material…
I think it's best to limit (or, perhaps, charge) the commercial interests and help out the bloggers who you find interesting.
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6:16 pm
May 27, 2013
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riksace
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| Member | posts 22 |
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Guest posts can be great and just like anything there is the good, the bad and the ugly. Possibly create some strict guidelines on what type of content/writing style that you accept. In addition you can always ask for examples of past work and possibly give them a topic to write about(one that you deem relevant to your audience).
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9:33 pm
May 27, 2013
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Pauline
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| Member | posts 274 |
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saverocity said:
Pauline said:
I gladly accept guest posts from fellow bloggers, that have interacted a bit on my site, or that I "know" from around the PF-sphere.
Recently a blogger in disguise asked me to do a guest post, the site they wanted to link to looked ok, but then they changed it to a payday loan site. The post was good but I rejected.
I do accept sponsored posts, but not free guest posts from commercial companies.
This is a good point – when you allow guest posts you allow them to back link. Even if you control copy and can see that the link is currently pointed in the right direction there is no reason why in the future they cannot change the copy of that site to make it into something less pleasant, or just drop the site so you link to 404s. One more thing to worry about.
I'm agreeing to guest posts from established bloggers now, but have some of the same rules as mentioned here, I own the content and it cannot be posted elsewhere. I would think that a minimum blog age is important too as many drop by the wayside, though I guess if that did happen, since I own the content I can edit to break the links and leave it just as a piece on my site….
re blog age I don't worry too much, if the site is taken down, I have a broken links plugin that will warn me and can remove the links.
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