Are You a One-Night Stand Guest Blogger?

Many people will only write a single guest post for any one blog because they are writing the posts only to get the links. They are only interested in one-post gigs. This was always a flawed idea, but with the latest search engine algorithm changes, it is potentially disastrous.

Why are you writing guest posts?

Why would a blogger publish your post?

Are you writing so you can get as many links as possible to your site?

Are you still looking for do-follow links?

Rethinking Time

The rules have changed. When search engines speak, all the little guys listen and take notice. Doing anything for links that pass on authority to your website is now a great way to get your website excluded from search engine results.

To be honest, it was always a pretty spammy tactic. Nobody likes to be used and when you do that you are trying to use the blogger, who knows what you are doing, so his hackles are immediately raised.

A link back to your website is a fair reward for contributing your thoughts, but it doesn’t matter if it is no-follow or do-follow because your main objective is to get people to click on the link and visit your website.

Bad News for the Blog

Having 500 posts from 500 different writers means that there is no consistent voice or message. Consistency is what makes blogs worth reading, without that the readership will be small and irregular.

Educating 500 writers in the blog’s guest posting rules is time-consuming and time is something that bloggers do not have a lot of.

Blog readers expect posts to be written by a few writers who they come to know, in the same way that a newspaper has columns by regular journalists.

Bad News for the Blogger

One-gig posts are not good for the writer either. You may have a link, but that’s it. Your post will soon be buried in the blog’s archives, so your link is not going to get you many readers.

Being promiscuous in your writing is hard work because you are constantly pitching to new bloggers, constantly looking for new blogs to contribute to.

A Better Way

There is a better way.

Guest blogging is alive and well, as long as you do it right:

1. You have to have something original to say
2. The writing has to be top quality
3. You need to work with the blog owner; make a pitch, send a first draft and amend as necessary

Develop relationships with a few bloggers, contribute regularly to their blogs and let the blog readers come to know you. They are far more likely to follow your link if they have read a few of your posts; they are also more likely to go looking for previous posts you written in the blog archives.

There are other advantages to developing long-term relationships with a few bloggers; things that do not happen if you are a promiscuous writer, spreading yourself around.

• Many bloggers will give you an author page, giving you another chance to let people get to know you and enhancing your reputation.

• Bloggers will give you feedback on your writing, which will help you to improve as a writer. It is in their interest as well as yours to improve your writing.

• Guest blogging will also improve your reputation, as you become better known in that niche.

Conclusion

If you are still promiscuous in your writing, forming short-term, superficial relationships with any blogger who will post your articles and give you a quick link, then it is time to reassess your strategy. Long-term, stable writing relationships help both bloggers and writers to develop and grow their audience.

If you are a good writer and willing to contribute regularly to a blog then most bloggers will welcome you. They know you are in it for the long-term benefits of increasing your readership and reputation, rather than just a link to improve your own search engine ranking.

Interested in joining the Compukol Connection guest bloggers team? Visit our Guest Bloggers Program page to apply.

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