I am Natasha, an Internet Marketing expert and a full time writer. In the couple of years of my web writing career, I have probably written more pieces for others’ blog (in capacity of a guest writer) as compared to my own websites.
I like guest blogging for many reasons and links are probably the last thing on my mind. The idea of reaching out to reputed blog’s readership is quite enthralling, and every time my post goes live, I always feel thankful to the blog owner for giving me the opportunity to speak to their readership (even if I have spent hours on writing and proofreading that post).
However there are some things that I have always found objectionable with the blogs accepting guest posts, some are quite common while others are not, let’s have a look.
Too many Ad Blocks:
Many blogs are run solely on the income coming from Adsense (or any other similar program), and it only makes sense to see a couple of Ad blocks somewhere on the blog, however the blogger’s eagerness to get a click out of each and every visitor who lands on their blog can easily become a nuisance when ads take the center stage and your post starts appearing as a paltry thing.
The Ads have become even a bigger switch-off after the Google Panda and page layout algorithm, with Google penalizing webpages with too many ads and thin content, it means that the blog is a likely candidate of a penalty, and there’s every chance that your links will be devalued sooner than later.
Acting as if they are doing a favor:
In the starting paragraph, I’ve categorically stated that I am always appreciative when a reputable blog opens its doors for guest bloggers. However, hardly any of them is doing it for charity purpose, since they are always getting outstanding articles in return.
It is primarily a give and take situation with both parties going home with one thing or two. Therefore, when blog owners starts acting like they are doing a favor by not responding to the emails in case a guest blogger is requesting a change in the author’s bio, or snubbing the writer when they ask for an estimated date when the post will go live, and the likes.
You might be getting a lot of spam, dozens of emails, and everything, but that’s the part of package, and you should learn (and plan) to deal with it instead of getting unmannerly in your communication.
Losing the track:
Some blogs that used to be pretty good ones for guest posting have recently turned into a desperate attempt at making money. Maybe because of management change or because of a change-of-mind on part of the blog owner, who is tired of “helping out” and “networking” with the community?
As a result, every second post you see blatantly promotes an affiliate product, or targets a particular set of lucrative keywords (e.g. xyz coupons), or there are too many paid links scattered everywhere on the blog.
As I’ve earlier mentioned, you’ve got every right to make money via your blog, but going the desperate route will actually hurt your money making prospects as well. And as far as guest blogging is concerned, such blogs are a big no for me.
Getting Abandoned:
This one is not common but still there are some blogs, which have totally stopped publishing any posts whatsoever, and the blog is lying dumped for quite some days.
I am not really sure what’s the idea behind totally boycotting the blog, because even if the owner needs some break, they can easily find some volunteer editors and keep the blog going.
Asking for money:
This is a practice getting more and more common now day, some bloggers will ask for a payment straightaway while others would call it a small fee for doing the editing and all, no matter what’s the disguise, asking for money for publishing a guest post is something that should be discouraged by all and sundry, especially because it will give the practice of guest blogging a bad name.
So, every time I get a response from the blogger, asking for some bucks in a sugar-coated manner, I politely refuse and withdraw my post.
Hello Natasha
Your article makes a great point with regards to the presence of too many ad blocks on any given page. It of course raises the age old question what is too much. I suppose this answer will vary from person to person.
I have a lot of request for guest blogging on my site, I read all the articles I am sent and publish only a fraction. Whilst I don’t charge for putting someone’s article on my site with a link to another site, I spend quite some time reading these articles and I can understand that very busy blogs may want to charge money in order to offset the costs.
Thank you for a great article
Natasha,
I have a lot of guest bloggers who write on my blog. One of the things that I have found that makes a difference is to set clear expectations for both sides upfront.
Most guest bloggers just want to know what the deal is. Standard rules for every definitely helps.
Andy
Well, Natasha, if nothing else, this was a little bit of an education for me. I’ve heard of guest blogging but am not overly familiar with the concept. I certainly have come across some bloggers that SHOULD be using a guest blogger instead of trying to write their own stuff, that’s for sure! Thanks for the info and insights into some of the exisitng issues.
Hi Natasha,
Thanks for sharing your view on guest blogging. Good point about the ads. I have accepted guest blog posts and done a few guest blog posts but I mainly focus on providing good content to the readers. It should not be a blatant advert.
Thanks again,
Aidan
Natasha,
I have written several guest blog posts and have not experienced many of the things you site here. However, in my article writing at reputable article sites, sometimes the ads are overwhelming. Even the links can be intrusive within the article. But some of these sites do get a lot of traffic and my author’s resource box benefits me with lots of traffic. I also enjoy having guest bloggers and I appreciate when they return a few times to respond directly to comments.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
Hello Natasha!
I would agree with just about every one of your objections here when it comes to guest posting. Too many ads, patronizing, asking for money, not enough focus, not enough support etc on part of the blog owner are all no-nos for me.
It’s too bad that a blog owner would act is if they’re doing you a favor when the reality it’s you’re doing each other a favor. It’s a win-win. Every serious guest poster ought to read this post and ponder on these very real issues.
Great article Natasha,
I happen to be at both ends in this scenario as I have a blog that accepts guest posts and I myself am a guest blogger for other blogs such as Smashing Magazine. Luckily I don’t encounter such problems in either case (as Smashing are truly professional and helpful).
In my blog I give as much exposure as possible. It is true that I am giving my bloggers exposure to a steady readership but then again they are writing the articles. The fact that I know how time consuming and tough it is to write an article helps me understand my guest bloggers’ needs. I think blog owners should stop and remember that one time they were like the guest bloggers, trying to break through! This would surely create a more fair environment for guest bloggers.
Cheers,
Justin
Natasha this is a great post and I’ve considered guest bloggers for a couple of my sites. I am an affiliate marketer, but my video marketing posts are very good imo. I also have blogging tutorials for anyone to use with step by step help. Do you agree with an 80/20 or 90/10 rule for content along with affiliate marketing? Just curious. Thanks so much and I’d love to have you write alongside me. Very well done
Too many ads is a good one. Sometimes it can take awhile to hear back from a website owner you submit guest blog posts to. I agree with you that guest blogging is a great way to expand interest in your writing/work.
Denise
I havn’t actually taken on writing guest blog posts for anyone. Thank you very much for this concise list of what to look out for when dealing with potential partners.
I hate when you are checking the posts in a month and see nofollow links…
Hi Natasha,
I have just accepted and published the last guest post on my blog. What I see from guest posters is that they think they are doing me a favor in many cases. I love it when a regular reader of my blog submits a guest post but too often I get guest submissions from people who send me weak content and just want to get a backlink to their blog.
Yes, I have seen too many bloggers abandon their blogs. It’s a shame in my eyes.
Hi Natasha,
I am considering guest blogging only in a win win modality so that both bloggers get more visibility and encourage their people to visit the blog of the other persons.
When ads come into the picture the whole spirit is diluted, I agree with you.
I believe that great content done by a blogger or bt a guest blogger is what keeps people coming back to learn and enjoy the tips offered.
Thanks!
I’ve never heard of hosts asking guest bloggers for payment, but I have heard of guests bloggers who expected to be paid for their work. I suppose either arrangement could be acceptable if the policies are clearly stated on the host blog, i.e. “We will pay $xx for quality content” or “To have your post published on this blog requires a fee of $xx,” but generally speaking it should be mutually beneficial without the need for compensation by either party.