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The response to the eMoms at Home guest blogger series has been incredible. But none of these talented and great authors can compete with Glen Allsopp in regards to how far he’s come at the young age of 18! I’m thrilled to offer him this opportunity to spread his his own wings here on this site!
Seeing people like Wendy Piersall offer you the opportunity to make a post on her blog should be enough for most people to open up their favourite text editor and get writing, however, there’s a large majority of people who think that people asking for guest bloggers is partly lazy on the behalf of the official blog author, but that’s not always the case. To keep things simple and flowing I’m going to look at two sides of the story, the benefits for the blog and the benefits for bloggers.
So, what does the blog get out of it?
- Unique content that has not required them to do any work
- A blog post on something the official author has not been able to write upon or may have little knowledge on the subject
- The chance to ‘show-off’ new people in the industry and be respected for giving people a chance
Believe it or not, people don’t look for guest bloggers or ‘allow’ guest bloggers just because they have nothing to write or they have ran out of motivation. These people are likely to be experienced bloggers who are used to writing daily and on numerous topics so the above bullet points certainly apply.
Well, what does the blogger get out of it?
- The chance to write to a new target audience
- The ability to test their writing styles and post-types to a reader of different interests and often to more people
- A form of ‘credibility’ that is given to them after being recognised by a new community reader base
I like to think of a blogger writing for other blogs as a chance to spread their wings, give them new people to aim their content and ideas at to see the response, something they may not get from their newly created or less active personal ventures. Get the attention of the blog reader-base and even the main author and you may even be invited back to do more posts. The exposure to a large reader base can build your networking connections and not only that but also build your recognition in the industry.
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Glen Allsopp leads a team that offer Search Engine Marketing services, blogs about the latest news and tips on various blogs about Marketing your website for increased traffic and visibility.
Thanks for the opportunity Wendy, you’ve made a blog reader for life
Shucks, Glen, that’s the kind of comment that makes my day! You did a GREAT job with this post, I know you’re on the right track and will do really well as you grow your company!
Wendy, can we have a follow up post about how you find all these smart and talented bloggers?
I’ve seen similar posts to this before, but you did make a unique point. Getting to introduce people into the industry, can be very beneficial to both parties.
Glen. These are excellent points, and you’re right on that it’s a win win situation. And I would add that it’s a win-win-win situation when you add in the readers. They get exposed to some great new information without having to surf away from their favorite emoms blog!
Thanks Wendy, hopefully in a few years things will really take off.
Hey Alex, I heard you were at the ProBlogger meet-up last night, thanks for the comments. I certainly have respect for Wendy and the likes of Darren (ProBlogger) when they are comfortable letting others post on their blogs, gladly these people realise they can gain credit for doing so.
Hey Glen, great writeup, and congrats.
I think another slight twist on this that’s a great benefit for the blog is just injecting a little fresh blood, fresh perspective for your audience.
We haven’t been doing “guess bloggers” per-se on our blog, but we did recently start publishing articles from featured writers - folks in the industry who are well respected and put out content on par with the standards we hold ourselves to.
But I think it’s also very important to not overdo it, since blogs tend to be very personally identifiable animals.
Your readers have certain expectations of you and I believe consistency will keep them coming back for more. And your readers come back over and over again because they are drawn to YOU - your message, your voice, your perspectives, your zany whatever… that’s why they started coming.
That’s one thing I love about blogs - in large part YOU are your own brand. Gotta love it - you get to be YOU, not some mini “micro corp” that makes you sign everything with “we’d like to thank you”, etc.
Oh, just to cause a little trouble, John over at Finding The Money had a post recently on “Why Not to Have Guest Bloggers”:
http://findingthemoney.blogspot.com/2007/02/why-not-to-have-guest-bloggers.html
Ok, rant over - went longer than I planned. Shocking, isn’t it Wendy?
Have an awesome day!
Dan
Hi Glen, and welcome to the EMoms guest bloggers group. (we really need a better name than “Guest Bloggers” hmmm…contest?)
“The chance to ‘show-off’ new people in the industry and be respected for giving people a chance”
Yeah Wendy has an eye for the good ones. Good job Glen.
Dan, that’s a great counter-view, but I tend to disagree with John. I have been pretty picky about what I allow as a guest post, and I’ve both turned away posts, as well as asked for rewrites. It has been hard (and I think I lost one reader because of it!), but in the end, it doesn’t serve the author or the blog unless the guest post isn’t great writing.
In fact, I have been saving my own best ideas for Darren’s blog. When I’m in front of his audience, I want to put my absolute BEST foot forward. I don’t think any of the points in John’s post have apply very well to that scenario.
And besides, if I didn’t have guest bloggers, Glen would never have written on this site. And we would all have lost out, if that was the case!
Thanks Edward, its clear that Wendy has some very passionate readers here and I was honoured to write for the blog.
Hey Dan, great response to the post, and I completely agree with your points. I think it either works to do guest posts every now and then or a group of them at one time, but your right in thinking that it can be overdone.
Thanks Scott glad to be part of the ‘gang’. Something with a spin on Moms would be good I think, no ideas yet though
If Im completely honest I wasnt sure the kind of response I would get, people tend to respect people who are older but Im happy being the age that I am in the Industry that I am in, plenty of time to learn new things and I like to think I have a fresh view on the industry so thanks to everyone for the positive comments (I hope there were no deleted negative ones
)
I’m doing a short ‘review’ of the site now Wendy if thats OK, post should be published soon on our blog
Wendy - thanks for introducing us to another talented blogger.
Glen - I checked out your blog - I like your Google list that you have going. I’ll have to think for a bit then add mine to the list.
I agree that guest blogging is a win-win situation for all parties.
Hey Glenn, just saw your other comment - what’s this “in a few years” business?
The time is now! Just my take here, but … See success today and you’ll have it - see it “in a few years” and it’ll always be “in a few years”.
Good luck to you.
Have an awesome day!
Dan
“Oh, just to cause a little trouble, John over at Finding The Money had a post recently on “Why Not to Have Guest Bloggers”:
http://findingthemoney.blogspot.com/2007/02/why-not-to-have-guest-bloggers.html”
LOL, we’re all in his MyBlogLog window.
John seems to have a ‘case’ in some respects but that doesnt mean that I agree with them. Im pretty certain that Wendy wouldnt post information that she didnt feel her readers would enjoy, sports tips for e.g. or something that wasnt of any quality standards and thats something I think most blogs which allow guest bloggers would adhere to aswell
Hi Glen!
Welcome!
Being a late-comer to all the above comments and replies; I must admit: when I saw your age in Wendy’s opening paragraph, then saw your closing byline I immediately hopped over to your site and got lost there with all the great resources you have to offer! [Yes, I did read your full post too–good job
]
So, yes being a guest-blogger has many advantages to Wendy (the blog), the guest (Glen) and the reader (me). I remain loyal to Wendy, found a new friend in this glorious blogopshere (Glen)…and gained greatly from your knowledge and expertise…and, everyone needs to know about SEO.
I just relaunched my website 2 weeks ago, and still running around from all the opportunities coming from the new traffic.
I particularly like your ’seo tools’ in one place. Since I’ve been sharing them sporadically in separate posts (whenever I come across them), now I can direct my readers directly to your list. Thanks!
Ed, I’m always talkin’ ’bout the win-win-win situation whenever your building new relationships (aka ‘networking’)
Hee hee…Scott & Dan…hours later and Wendy’s pix is still up at John’s Finding the Money MyBlogLog.
Yes, and Dan *is* right! Use your age to your advantage Glenn, seize your opportunities now…you’re already doing great! Enjoy the ride!
Keep up the awesome work Glenn!
Thats really great a such a young age!