[EDIT 2/13/12: I won't be updating the blog this week.] I’ve gotten several emails from people in the last few weeks asking about guest posting here. I’ve said no to all of them, and here’s why.
Almost all of them say something like this:
Hi,
I was surfing the web and I ran across your blog and I think it’s great. I was wondering if I could guest post on your blog. I’ve written blog posts here, here, and here.
Regards,
John
This isn’t an exact email, and I just randomly chose the name John.
There are two main problems with this message.
Problem 1
It’s spammy. I can tell that you’re using the exact same message to inquire about guest posting on other blogs, too. Copy and paste, copy and paste. It’s impersonal. You don’t mention my name and you don’t mention my blog.
You’re being too self-serving. Remember that the bloggers you’re approaching can write another blog post in half an hour. They’re doing you a much bigger favor by publishing your post and giving you exposure to their audience (that they’ve built up over months or years) than you are by writing a single blog post for them.
Solution 1
Be a real person. Use my name and my blog’s name. Just give me 2 real sentences instead of copying and pasting from a template.
Problem 2
I don’t care about what you’ve already written. I don’t care what sites your guest posts have appeared on. The only way I can know if I’m comfortable with you guest posting on my blog is if I see what you’ve written for me. Don’t send me an email asking me if you can write for my blog, then send me another email with the topic you’re going to write about, and then another email with the finished article.
Solution 2
Just send me a finished copy of your blog post, asking if I’d be willing to publish it. I’ll either say yes, it looks good and I’d love to publish it on this date, or I’ll say sorry, I just don’t think it’s the right match for me. It’s quick and easy for both of us. If I don’t publish it, you’re of course free to pitch it to someone else, so it’s not like you’ve wasted time writing it.
Final words
I kind of feel dumb writing this post. Geeze, this isn’t freaking rocket science. Just be a normal, amiable person!
End rant.
[PS: I'm generally not looking for guest posts and am very picky with what I publish here. But if you have something great to say that is beyond simple "How to get Twitter followers", "Top 5 WordPress SEO plugins", and "How social media will benefit your business" stuff, I'd love to see it.]
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
This is pretty lame way of asking. I have gotten quite a few of these request which has exactly the same format. Some even goes to the extent of “Please publish my post here” “I just need a backlink to my site” Well don’t think i am asking a favor here. They should get more rejection from bloggers and learn from their mistakes. It’s good that you have pointed it out and lets hope they read this.
Seriously, it’s annoying! And I’m glad I’m not the only blogger who thinks so. Thanks for the great comment, Lye.
Hey Tristan,
People actually do that? ;) I recently wrote a post on what should one be doing before actually suggesting to guest post. The biggest mistake is probably emails like this. It does make you look spammy and what I don’t get it, if I don’t know you, why would I even bother clicking your links. If I am familiar with the person (a regular on my blog, I am a regular at their blog and so on) I would definitely be more interested.
Familiarization is important. Come, get to know my blog, let me know what you think, have opinions, debate, discuss.. all this just adds on to one’s credibility as a blogger. Show me what you’ve got, pitch in ideas, offer something new and I will be interested in having them over! :)
Yes, sadly, people actually do this :)
For me personally, familiarity isn’t the most important factor. As long as the person can write a great article, I don’t really care if we’re best friends or if we’ve never met before. I can see where you’re coming from though.
Thanks for the great comment, Hajra!
Often this kind of things can happens with you specially when you had become famous blogger and i think you are give the perfect solution to keep away from guest posting.
But beside that guest posting can prove good idea to stay keep in touch with your readers when you need some rest.
For sure, it can be great to have guest posts on your blog because it gives you time to rest. I’m not against guest posts in general, just against people that expect me to publish everything they write.
I’m inspired to comment for the first time Tristan. I usually receive 10 – 15 guest post pitches on daily basis, but barely anyone succeeds.
I wish guest bloggers should read this page to learn. BTW: You’ve a great blog, quite similar to my theme.
It’s annoying, isn’t it?! Man. I can understand their eagerness to write for another blogger but they need to remember that it’s a privilege, not a right.
Thanks Michael!
Geez, who would actually do that? “Sigh…”
Unfortunately, a lot of people would and do!
Tristan,
I actually LOL’d when I read your “sample” email from a “guest blogger.” It’s what I’ve been dealing with for the past few months.
Maybe I’m getting famous (as Goa resorts suggests)? That would be nice. Alas, I think I’ve just been targeted by spammers.
What’s also a bit annoying is when I HAVE said, “sure, I’ll consider it, send me what you’ve got” – what I’ve received has been sub-par and illiterate. Gee, doncha think it would be a good idea to put out a quality post if you’re trying to get published?
Anyway, so far no one has put forth anything worthwhile.
I agree with your idea about “just send it, we’ll see if I accept it, and move on from there.” It’s simple, clean, and wastes very little time.
Yay! I enjoy learning from your articles. And on this one, I agree with you 100%.
“Gee, doncha think it would be a good idea to put out a quality post if you’re trying to get published?”
Seriously! Ugh. It bothers me so much. “Why would I want to publish this garbage?!” I think the problem is that a lot of these people don’t think of it as “publishing.” They think of it as just a tool to get traffic or backlinks. Their post + my blog = success. That’s just how it works, right?
Thanks for the great comment, Sandee!
I have received a few emails like this for my real estate law blog. I think it’s funny, because frankly, I haven’t been blogging that long there and don’t have much of an audience yet. But generally I’ve sent them an email back that says I don’t publish many guest posts (except from other lawyers in my firm), but if you submit something, I’ll take a look at it. I tell them I want them short, relevant to my readership (and NOT an ad or sales pitch for their business/service), etc.
Those are great criteria, Laura. Especially the no ad or sales pitch part. Unfortunately, that’s all these people have in mind and don’t think about quality. Sad.
Thanks for the great comment.
I agree, Tristan. And of the people who’ve approached me, after I’ve sent my standard reply as noted above, only one of them has actually followed up with a proposed guest post. Hers met my criteria, so I published it.
Thanks for blogging about this. Worthwhile topic; hope the people who need to hear these things find it, read it, and take it to heart.
Well – that’s the mistake I’ve meet. Thanks for the share and helps us fix this.
No problem, Trung. Thanks for commenting.
Tristan,
I agree with you absolutely. So many people want “confirmation” before they write, but I agree with you. I would much rather look at a finished product and decide if it fits, than an idea and have them disappoint.
If you write quality guest posts and try to offer them to the “right” blogs (IE subject fits) chances are very few will be rejected.
Obviously some of these guys (and gals) use a psychological trick. Once someone says Yes to a post, they are far less likely to reject the final product, even if it is lower quality than they would like to post.
If all people offering guest posts were to follow your simple rules… well I would be a lot happier to receive guest post offers. ;)
i do agree with you but the way i feel is that familiarity isn’t the most important factor. im more interested in the content interest factor of the article, in time we may become friendly through blogging
Hi Tristan,
Your sample email template above demonstrates how some people just don’t have any common sense at all. They are not imagining being in your position. Would THEY oblige such a request?
When Madonna wanted to sample an ABBA song, she didn’t ask Benny and Bjorn’s permission, because she knew she would be turned down. She went ahead and recorded the song, let them hear it and THEN asked their permission. (OK, she was slightly famous at this point, but still…!)
Hey Tristan,
Agree with you :)
I used to get these kinds of emails with my old blog (I don’t get it anymore since I shutdown my old blog and started a new one). Anyways, I think these guys are just trying to get back links from us – and nothing else. When guest posting, I try first to get involved within the site – by commenting, sharing and interacting with the blog owner, and I think all guest posters should do the same.
By the way, I was going over some of your old posts – on commenting and I have decided to take up commenting challenge – to post 100 quality comments everyday for 5 days – so, 500 comments in total. I do have enough time to do it (and I really hope I can).
Anyways, thanks for the post – and for inspiration to take up commenting challenge :)
Hi Tristan!
Its true, and its so sad. Some people do this simply for self-interest. They don’t want to spend time and share opinion for the benefit of all. They’re mentality is more on accumulation. Thanks for sharing, very enlightening.
all the best,
Avatar
Thanks for the advise I am now looking for a few places to post as a guest need to know what to look out for.