Today we shall take up the case of necessary checks and balances that need to be followed. There are certain commonplace mistakes that all of us indulge in. It's absolutely okay to falter before becoming a pro.
However, as a hosting website/blog, you do not have the priviledge to waste time nor are you being paid for to commit recurring mistakes. The bet with accepting guest posts can be that dicey a affair.
Guest posts come in all sizes and shades (personal views of the authors etc). As a person trusted with the responsibility of doing the 'pick-n-choose' job from the pod of writers, one needs to be aware of what kinds of mistakes generally take place. Don't they say "Precaution is better than Cure".
1. Write Before You Publish
This is the first thumb rule for both-the guest authors as well as the hosts. After a suitable topic has been zeroed in, the write-ups usually pass through a minimum two rounds of reading and editing before finally being published.
However, as is the common practise, many approaching guest authors already have written pieces in hand and blogs are hard-pressed for content. Nobody has the time to go through this ordeal which proves disastrous.
2. Research
However, as is the common practise, many approaching guest authors already have written pieces in hand and blogs are hard-pressed for content. Nobody has the time to go through this ordeal which proves disastrous.
2. Research
Doing a thorough research about the topic you are pitching-in is essential. All you need to know is what the concept is and if you can summarize it swiftly. That's the secret of guest blogging, you don't need to be a expert but self sufficient to write meaningfully. And by research we imply, going through a minimum of 5 to 7 related articles, blog pieces and expert opinions.
As a add-on tip, we suggest to the aspiring guest authors that concentrating on images and graphics will make your piece all the more enticing.
3. Narrow Mindedness
As a add-on tip, we suggest to the aspiring guest authors that concentrating on images and graphics will make your piece all the more enticing.
3. Narrow Mindedness
As a content writer, this is probably the most annoying thing I stumble across. Many of you, like me must have faced a similar situation where blogs reject your suggested topics because it does not fit their niche. Well personally I do not believe in having this narrow approach. But that doesn't mean you write/publish anything and everything under the sky. The point is basically to expand the purview of your domain. For example, E-junkie caters to Small Businesses. But we also cover and accept aspects of creative arts as well as all aspects of entrepreneurship - be it finance, optimization strategies and related aspects.
It is understandable that your website/blog is centred around a certain concept but having a open mind about things that come your way always adds a new tangent to your innovation and business development. So do not limit yourself to your domain.
4. Link Bait
It is understandable that your website/blog is centred around a certain concept but having a open mind about things that come your way always adds a new tangent to your innovation and business development. So do not limit yourself to your domain.
4. Link Bait
At the end of it all, the writing activity and social interaction comes down to link building. As the hosts you do not want to promote malicious sites or for that matter irrelevant ones. It is doubly important to check all the links that the guest author send you with the post. As part of the guidelines, do mention this essential pointer so as to keep the communication clear. And try not to fall for this triffling link building trap easily.
5. Articulation
5. Articulation
As 'brow-raising' as it's going to sound, writing is an independent art; a tool for honest articulation of thoughts. Even if it is a business-oriented blog/website, opinions do matter. The two tips in this regard are :
a. As hosts do not make the blog all about your opinions and products/brands. Accept opinions and research data of the author. The fact that they are writing or supporting a topic signifies its relevance and confidence of the writer to do justice to it.
b. On the other hand, as a guest author, do not be too vociforous in your opinions. Nobody actually gives a penny's thought to your personal opinion unless you are a established author. That's the hard reality, let's accept it. Your only defence is to substanciate your write up with well researched content and data-backed argument. Nobody beats that ploy!
6. Time Factor
a. As hosts do not make the blog all about your opinions and products/brands. Accept opinions and research data of the author. The fact that they are writing or supporting a topic signifies its relevance and confidence of the writer to do justice to it.
b. On the other hand, as a guest author, do not be too vociforous in your opinions. Nobody actually gives a penny's thought to your personal opinion unless you are a established author. That's the hard reality, let's accept it. Your only defence is to substanciate your write up with well researched content and data-backed argument. Nobody beats that ploy!
6. Time Factor
This is a key ingredient again for both the accepting and approaching parties.
As guest authors, one should contact website/blog only with a few reserve write ups in hand. Both the businesses and authors underestimate how time-consuming a write-up can be exactly. While some take a couple of hours, others might take up a good many days.
7. Completion
As guest authors, one should contact website/blog only with a few reserve write ups in hand. Both the businesses and authors underestimate how time-consuming a write-up can be exactly. While some take a couple of hours, others might take up a good many days.
7. Completion
As a author sending in his write-up, your piece should be clean and absolutely transportable to the blog directly. This means the post should have appropriate title, captions, images and formatted text. That's the mark of a professional. Additionally, try posting the article on your own blog and check it on different browsers before sending it.
We hope that these insights prove useful to all our readers. If you have additional tips to add, you may leave us a comment in the section below.
Stay tuned with E-junkie for the rest of the guest posting tips and tricks series.
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