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There are a bazillion bloggers who have talked about benefits of making guest appearances on other blogs. One of the best reasons to write guest posts is to reach new audiences and grow your own blog.
But sometimes when you write a guest post for another blog, things happen that weren’t even in your brain. You see, the thing is, you never know who is reading your post. And that makes guest blogging unpredictably fun.
For instance, just this week, my guest post for Write to Done showed up on the Holy Caw! All the topics that interest us page of Guy Kawasaki’s mega-popular site alltop.com. (If you didn’t know, alltop.com is now the authority in sorting through the flood of blog posts and articles that are published daily. Their goal is to filter through all the stuff and aggregate the best for you.) Because of the Holy Caw appearance, my guest post was shared on Twitter a whole bunch of times and got tons of traffic.
The next day, I got requests for an interview from a national magazine for writers and for quotes for an e-book. So what’s my point?
It is this: You never know what will happen when you guest post.
Mid-Summer Links: My Top 5 Guest Posts
Because I know that many of you are new subscribers, (and I am not always as good as I should be in promoting my guest posts on this blog), I’m sharing the five I had the most fun writing here. I figured, since I’m taking a little overnight birthday getaway this week, what better time to leave you a little light summer reading? :
Write to Done: 5 Steps to Telling Engaging Stories on Your Blog
My take on why stories always connect with our blogs’ readers and how to use them to pull readers in and engage them with our content.
The Top 10 Blog: The Top 10 Things Your Blog Visitors Wish You Knew
There are certain things your blog visitors wish you knew. If you could sit down with them, they’d tell you at least 10 things that make them jump ship before they have a chance to get hooked on your blog.
For Bloggers By Bloggers: The Most Powerful but Underused Blogging Strategy: ‘Sticky’ Storytelling
Stories stick with us because they make us feel. They appeal to our senses. They create images and emotions that stay with us long after the story is over. Here they are, 5 tips for telling ‘sticky’ stories on your blog.
Storyfix: Your Blog as Stage: Building a Believable Author Brand
Branding is simply the feeling you want your readers to experience when they see your name—the emotional connection they feel with you. You’ll find tips here on using your blog as a branding stage.
For Bloggers By Bloggers: 10 Reasons No One Notices Your Blog Comment
Why do so many smart, creative people freeze up when it’s time to make a blog comment? Have you ever left a comment that was lost in the crowd? Didn’t gain the blogger’s attention? Was not recognized by other readers? Here they are, 10 reasons why no one notices your blog comment.
Oh, and a special heartfelt thanks to the amazing Bill Dorman, who bestowed on me (and five others) a Kreativ Blogger award this week!
Wait. One more thing. I am migrating my social media accounts to my new author name. I am now @JudyLeeDunn on Twitter. If you already follow @CatsEyeWriter, you’ve been automatically moved over. If you are on Twitter but not following me, I’d love to connect with you there! Just go here to follow @JudyLeeDunn.
So, what about you?
Have you jumped into the guest blogging waters yet?
Have any happy surprises come your way as a result of guesting on someone else’s blog?
About the author
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That dude is amazing, isn’t he?……………….:)
I have had some really good successes w/ guest posting. However, I don’t seek them out and actually have 5 requests that I really need to do before accepting any others; so why don’t I do more of it, huh?
I still have hesitancy because if you are guest posting, you want it to be some of your better work. In the back of my mind I’m thinking if it’s that good, then why didn’t you already think of it for your own post, huh?
Too much thinking, right?
Good post ma’am and happy birthday to ya.
@bdorman264 I know what you mean. But the guest posting thing is on my list of priorities this year, as I move closer to finishing my book. I know I need to do it, but somehow it keeps dropping off my to-do list!
Interesting question there. And I would say that, yes, any guest post you write should be the very best post you can come up with. I am amazed at the possibilities for new subscribers when I put my best stuff out there. I will agree, though. Sometimes I say, “Damn. I should have written that for my own site.” : )
Thanks for the birthday wishes.
Some of my favorite writing moments come from guest posting. It forces you to change up your thinking and that can lead to all sorts of interesting places.
@TheJackB I wonder why that is. I seem to be more inspired when I’m a guest on someone else’s blog. Go figure.
Happy, happy birthday Judy! May your day be wonderful and filled with giggles – and the cake not go everywhere when you blow out that ‘cluster’ of candles
– And yes, you do need to let their spark of life die for the greater good of your day…
I love guesting as it actually allows me to write in a voice closer to my own. As Jack B said, it often stretches you into places in yourself that you’ve not inhabited before. For some odd reason (and I think we’ve chatted on this before) I find it easier to write truer to my heart and voice in a guest post than I do on my own blog – yeah, go figure. But, I’m hoping that the inspiration you gave me (from your WTD guestie last week) will morph my business blog closer to my much-loved storytelling style. That ‘should’ then help me straighten out my curly condundrum….
@Di Mace | Word Swords Haha. There will be no cake. But there will be walks along the ocean, glasses of wine and a fine dinner. (Bob promised me that.)
That is interesting that you find writing a guest post often gets you closer to your own voice. Sometimes I am the opposite. What if they don’t like my voice? What if they want something different? I think we bloggers are all paranoid! : )
@JudyDunn Oh yessee do we are paranoid . I think its the ‘seeming’ void we bloggers talk to – there’s that constant worry there’s no one there and they don’t like us – it’s like waiting for an echo to return to you in a canyon
No cake…..sniff, sniff. I love cake…even if only to look at. Make sure you have some fab wine to make up for it .
(And for the record, your voice is clear as a bell and recognisable without seeing who’s the author – no matter what blog you’re on.)
@Di Mace | Word Swords What a great thing to hear, Di. Voice is the constant, no matter what blogs we write for. That’s for sure.
And on the birthday dinner out, I am sure there will be a dessert of some kind. Who knows? It just might be cake!
I’m so pleased to see the excellent guest post you did at my place in your list Judy as it’s one of my favourites too, I’m looking forward to checking the rest out.
One other benefit of guest posting or hosting guests – the wonderful, long lasting friendships that can be forged by the collaboration!
Sending you good wishes for your birthday, I hope you and Bob enjoy your break
@TonyH Boy, you said it, Tony. I have met so many cool people through guest posting (and you were one of them!). Thanks for tweeting about this post. (and for the birthday wishes).
@rgeller: Thanks Bob