Where do you blog? The obvious answer is “on my blog,” right? That should only be one answer. The real answer should be, “wherever anyone will let me.” You should be posting your message everywhere like blog grafitti.You do this with a method called guest blogging.

When I suggest this I get one of two responses; “Why would someone let me write in their blog?” and “Why would I want to write for someone else for free?” These questions are often followed by a bunch of other little questions that simply support the idea that they just don’t see the point in guest posting. Guest posting is an easy and most awesome way to get in front of a new audience and possibly grow your own traffic.

So how do you get traffic by guest posting on blogs?

1. Identify blogs that jive with your style

What blogs do you currently read?  Identify what blogs you love the most. You probably read several that are related to your own niche, that’s where you want to get started. If you are part of the audience of that blog then you are also most likely similar to other readers of that blog, who in turn would likely enjoy your blog.

2. Peruse topics previously posted on said blog

Make sure you are super familiar with the blog’s tone, subject and previous topics covered. How can your expertise complement that blog? Is there something that would fit in but isn’t there? Take note of what’s missing or hasn’t been covered but relates to that blog’s niche.

3. Start writing and write well

If you have an idea for a good blog post, simply write it up. Write it for the target audience of a specific blog. Make sure it’s your best stuff however. Don’t be greedy and save it for your own blog. After all, more people will read it on the blog you are hoping to guest post for, right? Make sure you also include a photo to illustrate your topic.

4. Create a great tagline with a link to your site

Write a short summary bio of who you are and where people can find out more about you. This is a great way to get a quality backlink to your site.

5. Pitch the post

Email the owner of your intended blog and let them know you have a blog post written that you would like for them to consider running on their site. Attach the post (and include it in the body of the email in case they can’t open the attachment). Tell them it’s exclusively theirs to use as long as they let you know they are interested in using it within 3 weeks (or whatever time limit you want to set). Tell them that after that time you will assume they are not interested and therefore will pitch it to other bloggers.

6. Put great posts on your site

If your guest post is accepted make sure that you find out the approximate day it will run and post some really awesome stuff on your site that day. You should be posting awesome stuff on your site anyway, but this day put y0ur best effort forward.

7. Reply to comments about the guest post

Be all over your guest post on the day it runs. If anyone posts a comment, reply to them. This is a great chance to interact with potential readers.

8. Repeat often

Guest post anywhere someone will let you. Readers will start seeing you everywhere and the thinking will generally be that you must be somebody, that you are an authority on your subject. Soon you’ll have your own readership base and people will be asking you to guest post.

 

Shelly Cone is a journalist, public relations professional, and press release writer. She is also the owner of Beach Betty Public Relations, a California lifestyle design company offering press release services, media relations and collaborative marketing events to help you design your life by growing your business.