Monday 3 June 2013

9 Ways NOT to be a Guest on Someone's Blog

1. You email a blog owner asking to guest post without even knowing the blog owner's name.

2. You ask what kind of post the blog owner wants when the guidelines are written on their blog.

3. You forget which date you've been booked in for, and email the blog owner to remind you. Whoops, it was TODAY? Omg ...

4. The blog owner gives you a second chance, slots you into another date, and scurries to find a replacement for your missing post, only to reach the new date and you still have not sent them your post. Instead of apologizing, you totally ignore the blog owner. (It's not just a blog. This is business. This is your career. Keep your reputation intact.)

5. Rely on the blog owner to send you reminders. (It's not their responsibility, it's yours. Write your appearance date down. Get your post to them by the date they specify. I can't stress enough: it's YOUR responsibility.)

6. When the blog owner is kind enough to send you numerous reminders and is courteous and understanding that life can often become overwhelming, you reply to their emails with one sentence. No greeting, no sign off, no thank you. (This is disrespectful.)

7. If a blog owner asks how you are in correspondence, it's nice to ask them how they are too. (Common courtesy, folks.)

8. If a blog owner asks for a guest post, don't just send them your book blurb. (Despite this not being what the blog owner asked for, how exactly is just posting a book blurb [unless it's really freaking awesome and impossible for anyone to ignore] going to get you noticed?)

9. You don't stop by to comment on your guest post. (I think a simple, "Thank you for having me." is good enough. But it's even better if you reply to commenters. Show them that you are real. Human. Interested. This will only make people like you. And that's really what you want, right? Being liked, leads to followers, and maybe leads to readers.)

Overall, behave how you would expect others to treat you. Kindness, common courtesy, and a little organization can go a long way. Blog owners are doing YOU a favour by hosting you, so make it as easy on them as you can.

How do you keep up with your guest appearances?

31 comments:

  1. Agreed. This is a great reminder for many. Common courtesy and being polite goes a long way and like the image states, it doesn't cost a thing.

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  2. I try and follow the 'good manners' rule.

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    1. Me too. You'd think it would just be automatic. But surprisingly it's not.

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  3. It seems, at times, that there is a lack of common courtesy. There have been several occasion where it would have been nice to get a little thank you note when I've sent a gift, or gotten a responce to that RSVP... Making nice-nice can go a loonnnng way.

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  4. Great post and reminders, Jessica. I've had someone cancel out on me at the last moment for a QT post, and I was left scrambling to write a replacement one. Totally not cool!

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    1. Not cool at all. I've experienced many of these, and it's not nice!

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  5. I can't imagine approaching a blogger, offering to guest post. Maybe I'm just not famous enough. That said, if I ever did, I'd damn sure follow through on it.

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    1. I've got that Wednesday feature which is open to everyone, so all they have to do is ask. I would too, Matthew, or at least give a decent amount of notice if you have to cancel.

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  6. Now, does this ring true as the basic "golden rule," regardless of any religious leaning, if any? As noted by several, this is just a matter of courtesy and respect!

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  7. Nice reminders to a good topic! Have a wonderful week Jessica!

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  8. Excellent check list, Jessica! And I've seen those broken. I know I had to cancel a post with you and hope I gave you enough warning. I hate having to do that though.

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    1. Oh you gave me plenty of warning. No sweat, Alex! :)

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  9. I'm shocked that people would actually do most of this. I dunno, people are crazy i guess?

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  10. I think this kind of behavior only happens from people who are so full of themselves that they think they're famous. At that point, they just want to use people. It's the same behavior on twitter. "Hi I'm Kim Kardashian and I've got a billion followers and never need to follow you because you need to follow what I do."

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  11. Like so many things I think most of it boils down to a strong sense of professionalism.

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  12. Book blurbs should never be used as a guest post. They are just filler.

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  13. Slightly related to this, an anecdote: I once requested a blogger I had been following and commenting on for quite some time (also a professional/commercial writer with big money behind them) and who did interviews with fellow writers if they'd like to interview me. Took a bit of courage as I've never been interviewed before. The reply I got was 'I'm definitely up for doing a blog interview feel free to email me some questions whenever you like -' This left me puzzled and gave an impression as if this writer was wishing to be interviewed in turn on my blog. Needless to say, after ages trying to rack my brain how to put it without sounding forward or egotistical I didn't bother confirming.

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    1. It sounds like they just skimmed the email, Rehan. Which is an example of impoliteness coming from the other end. As blog hosts we should also be careful to behave with common sense.

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  14. People seriously do this stuff???

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  15. Hi Jess - essential reminders to all in life .. I do hate it when people don't at least acknowledge soemthing .. but if I was having that hassle re a guest post - I'd be doing my nut, especially if they'd asked to do a slot ..

    What are they going to do with their agent, book tour, etc etc etc .. let alone customers ..

    Breathe Jess, Breathe ...... and cheers with a cup of tea - Hilary

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  16. Thanks, Karen. I did actually. And it's not a nice feeling. I can see that life can get overwhelming sometimes, so I am understanding when things like this happen. But if you do lose track of a guest post and need a nudge, be polite about it.

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  17. This is a great set of rules for guest posting!

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