In recent time, guest blogging has proven to be one of the most effective ways to drive targeted traffic and also get quality backlinks to any blog such that people like my friends Michael Chibuzor of Freedigitalphotos.net and Bamidele Onibalusi of Young Pre Pro and many others utilized the power of guest blogging to take their blogs to the level is now.
But, do you know that this same popular guest blogging that has performed lots of wonders for many people also has some side effects? Of cause, it’s very much obvious that anything good must also possess some bad side.
Today, lots of people both bloggers, armature bloggers and people that are just looking for links has jumped into the band wagon thereby making guest blogging a very unsafe method to get backlinks and if proper care is not taking, it can also result to the downfall of your blog.
Recommended Reading: Guest Posting| How to use it to Increase Your Blog Traffic
The other say, i was doing my usual posts hopping and i read somewhere that Darren Rowse of Pro Blogger and Daniel Scocco of Daily Blog Tips Has stopped accepting guest posts temporally, I don’t know if that is true but, I believe that there must be an iota of truth in it.
Most of the Articles from Guest Bloggers are Junk
You remembered some weeks ago when I was writing exam, I knew that I won’t be able to be updating my blog as I used to and I really wanted my blog to be updated even at my absence so, I now remembered about guest blogging.
I told some of my friends and they really wrote a very interesting post for my readers especially the one from my paddy…. King Babajide. At that point, a friend suggested that I go and make a request at bloggerlinkup.com so that more people will write for me.
I did that and before you know it, I started getting so many guest posting request even up till today but, the issue is that, when I started going through all the articles I received, I noticed that majority of them are just some piece of junk from non bloggers that are just looking for link and most of the links also appeared spammy :).
Do You Really Have the Time for Guest Blogging?
This is one of the questions you need to ask yourself before deciding on whether you are ready to start or to continue accepting guest posts. If you’re ready for it then, you must also be ready to do all the things that are required in order to make it worthwhile.
We all know about all the algorithms that Google has been rolling out all these while and we also know that one of the things that will make them to target your site is if you are building spammy links. Therefore, if you want to be accepting guest blogging then, you must make sure that you carefully check all the links that the guest author included on his post before hitting the publish button.
This is because, if he linked to a spammy site and Google want to punish him for that, it is likely to affect your own site as well. Therefore, if you discover such a link, its either you remove it or, you kindly reject the article for your own good.
Another thing you must be mindful of is the quality of the article. Some time ago, someone whom I will not mention here sent me a guest post and I was too lazy to read it and so, I hit the publish button not knowing that the article contains some grammatical errors.
It was later that a friend told me about the errors of which I had to go back and edit it. Now, if you’re ready for guest blogging, you must make out time to carefully go through any article a guest blogger sent to you and, if you discover any error on the post, you either edit it yourself or, simply send it back to the author to edit.
If you know that you won’t have the time to do any of these things then, guest blogging isn’t for you and you should not be accepting it else, it will simply ruin your reputation.
Your Readers Visits Your Blog To Learn From You
Now, do you know that those people that visit your blog are actually coming because they enjoy your writing and also want to read more from you?
They are coming because they want to interact with you and not with a stranger. This is why you should always try and write majority of your posts so as to keep the interaction going.
Recommended Reading: Why is SEO Vital in Internet Marketing?
If you must accept guest posts then, let it be from people that are already familiar with your blog and audience. If you accept a guest post whereby the author is just talking of something that does not interest your readers then, you will be a looser.
Therefore, if you leave your blog for guest authors, they will end up driving your readers away because they don’t have the same voice as you and it’s your voice that your readers want to hear.
So, be careful about how you accept guest posts as it can course you more harm than good if care is not taken.
Guest Blogging is not Dead
Now don’t misunderstand me, I’m not saying that guest blogging is dead and therefore, everyone should stop accepting it but what I’m saying in essence is that if you’re not careful, the articles you publish on your blog from guest authors will kill your blog.
I’ve read many articles that says that guest blogging is dead but, I personally disagree with that because, I’m quite cognizant of the fact that a lot of people are still using it for good.
Therefore, my final words are that we should try as much as we can to write majority of our posts especially on our authority sites. Both guest authors and bloggers that accept guest posts, all hands must be on deck so that our guest blogging efforts will not end up being in vain.
If you agree or disagree with what I said here then, tell me why or why not on the comment section remember, you are entitled to your opinion and that opinion of yours really counts :). Peace be unto you and, happy weekend in advance.
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Photo Credit: Freedigitalphotos.net
Evan says
I have to agree with a lot of what you are saying… I think that out of respect for the blog that people are guest posting on they should try really hard to write quality content, anything less is disrespectful!
I would think that if someone would like to show that they are a good blogger, even if they are guest posting, they would want to prove that by posting top notch quality posts.
Theodore Nwangene says
Thats right Evan
You’ve said it all and I’m glad you share the same view with me on this. Thanks a lot for coming and have a great weekend.
Enstine Muki says
Hey bro,
I agree with you here. I get bombarded every now and then despite making it very clear on my blog certain steps to follow. In fact, I ignore some of the requests I get. I don’t even reply to them. Some users are desperately stupid. I stick to my decisions. Strangers don’t post on my blog. You must be a constant reader and commentator to be able to make a post. No compromise!
Theodore Nwangene says
I’m with you on that Enstine,
Being a regular reader and commentator will make the person to leave a post that your audience will like so, thats a good thing to do and of cause, we must not accept all, we must be able to separate the wheat from the chaff :).
Thanks for coming/.
Ryan Biddulph says
If readers visit your blog they want your viewpoint. Smart tips Theodore.
Accepting guest posts here and there is a good thing; switches it up and gives you a break…but post the majority of posts under your name to keep your audience coming back for more.
Too many bloggers accept junk; I am picky with my guest post requests. Yes I want folks to send in their posts but I sift through with a fine-toothed comb.
Quality, quality, quality.
Thanks for sharing!
Theodore Nwangene says
A very interesting point Ryan,
Having your name on the posts is another wonderful thing to do so that readers will not think that you’re leaving your blog, i love that man. Yea, Its good to accepting them but, you should be picky 🙂 so that the efforts will be worthwhile.
Quality Quality Quality :), can’t agree more.
Thanks for sharing your awesome view with us and, do have a great weekend.
Pawan says
Hi bro,
Guest blogging is definitely not dead (like article directory submission sites) however one needs to be super careful in targeting the audience. The factors such as user engagement, authority of the blog plays critical role in deciding whether to guest post or not. It was a great read Theodore.
I haven’t opened my blog for guest posting yet since it’s very new and just catching up.
Theodore Nwangene says
I agree with you Pawan,
We really need to be very careful so that we won’t get our blog into trouble all in the name of guest blogging. Thanks a lot for your awesome contribution and do enjoy your weekend :).
Chadrack says
Hi Theodore,
This is actually something you see very often if you accept guest posts on your blog. At first, when I got article that were badly written but have a good message, I simply reworked the article and published it. But then I later discovered that most of those who were guest blogging were actually doing it on behalf of clients! When I discovered this I was actually angry that i was spending my time to re-write their articles while they go on to collect the money! From then I stopped rewriting any guest post submitted. I also re-worked my guest blogging terms of use and anyone who does not meet those terms is declined right away.
Besides, following the recent Google updates many SEOs now see guest blogging as a way of backlink building. Many of those who are guest blogging now do it for that reason only. Well. Because of that I’m now very picky when it comes to the type of guest post I publish.
Thanks for sharing.
Theodore Nwangene says
You’re right Chadrack,
I remembered some time ago when a lady sent me a guest posts which i know fully well that its for a client. Man, there were so many errors on the posts that i just went ahead and deleted because, i didn’t even know where to start from.
Its very much better to be picky as you’re doing because, they are no longer after the relationship but simply to build links.
Thanks a lot for your contribution, really appreciated.
Silviu says
Hi Theodore,
What a blog! What I stile! What a picture! You look more like a warrior than a blogger. You are staying there behind your computer with your sword in your hand ready to hit any spammer or link hunter that dares to come too close.
This post you wrote can really scare somebody who is totally new to guest blogging.
However, I feel that your intentions are good and you want to help. I agree that there are a lot of things you have to pay attention to when you accept guest blogging.
However, it seems that you have to do it anyway. No risks no gain. Win some, lose some. That’s the way it is.
Have a nice day Theodore
Theodore Nwangene says
No risks, no gain, Win some, loose some,
I really like those words Silviu. But as entrepreneurs, we should always take calculated risks instead of any kind of risk especially when we know that its harmful.
Yea, its never bad to accept guest posts as i said here but, its of utmost important to be very mindful of the posts you accept to ensure the health of your blog. Thanks a lot for sharing your valuable opinion with us. Really valued indeed.
Enjoy your weekend.
Liju Philip says
The number of guest blog requests that i receive on a week is too much to handle. Most of them i just dont reply back. Though lack of time, i dont get to go thru all of them.
Theodore Nwangene says
Thanks for your opinion Liju,
If you can’t go through them for any reason then, its better you don’t accept them in the first place. Thanks a lot for the visit.
Efoghor Joseph Ezie says
Theodore, it is really heart-breaking when you get some guest post offers only to open them and discover they are worse than what a primary school pupil could offer. The reason for this most times is because several of those posts are written for SEO companies that are only willing to pay about $5 per 500 word articles. So, the hungry writer collects the job and scribble some marks on paper for them in the name of guest post.
I still accept quality posts, but get bombarded with several offers on weekly basis. What I did recently to deter some of those writers was to increase the requirements for posting guest articles on my site. Funny enough, some of the offers I still get point to the fact that those authors hardly read your guest post rules before submitting their articles.
Theodore Nwangene says
You’re right Joseph,
And, thats why they always say that you’ll get what you paid for. They are trying to give the SEO companies articles that are equivalent to the $$$ they paid for the work while putting the blog owner they wrote the article for into trouble.
You’ve really shared another awesome points here Joseph. Thanks a lot for contributing on the posts, have a blissful weekend :).
Heather Stone says
Hi Theodore,
The whole key is to work with the right guest bloggers. Otherwise, the whole thing is an exercise in futility. Thanks for your great post and for sharing with the BizSugar community.
Theodore Nwangene says
Welcome back Heather,
You’re indeed right on what you said, Thanks a lot for visiting my again after a long time :). Have a wonderful weekend too.
Connor Harley says
I do agree with you that guest blogging is not dead, but it will not do any good if not chosen carefully. Blog owners should choose carefully what guest post they should accept.
Theodore Nwangene says
Thanks Connor,
I’m glad you agree with what i said, lets just be more careful in accepting and writing guest posts. Do have a great weekend :).
Rajesh Jhamb says
Hello Theodere,
Just because of these reason a friend of mine is n’t accepting guest post.
most of newbies are coming just for backlinking not for readers. so we should accept guest posting for those who are familiar with our blog.
Thanks again for this informative article. 😀
Theodore Nwangene says
You’re welcome Rajesh,
We just need to be very careful of how and from whom we accepts guest posts to ensure the safety of our blogs. Thanks a lot for coming and sharing your valued opinion with us :).
adesanmi adedotun says
Hi Theodore,
The power of guest post in blog traffic and backlink cannot be over emphasized but the fact remains that; are the guests post authentic, free from copy escape, ready to teach blog visitor or JUNKS ? Guest post need proper scrutine from a proactive blogger to protect his or her blogging image else guest post atimes can be so dangerous indeed as in tends to push loyal readers away when there are been deprived of the real information they are in need off.
Theodore Nwangene says
Hey Adesanmi,
Guest blogging is just a double edged sword. Just like you said, it can be good and can also be bad sometimes. It all depends on what you want.
Thanks for your valued opinion 🙂
kingofcontent92 says
I have a friend of mine who allow a guest blogging in his site and found it effective there is more traffic since it widens its connection. And he only allow the guest blogging to his reliable friend.
Theodore Nwangene says
Great to know that Kingo,
Thanks a lot for visiting my blog and, please remember to visit us again 🙂
Sergio Felix says
Hey Theodore, really great advice on guest blogging man.
I have never submitted a guest blog before nor I intend to do so anytime soon, I say this because you have to submit your best work for guest blogging. After all, who would want to submit a lousy article? You have to make quite an entrance since it’s the first time you’re publishing something in another site!
The positive side of guest blogging for me is the exposure to new eyeballs, I couldn’t care less about the links, I’m not playing the SEO game anymore, it changes so fast it’s just a waste of time to try to catch up (in my opinion).
This all comes from the author’s perspective, now from the reader’s perspective…
I don’t really like it when I go and visit a blog I like and find out that their latest article is a guest post for the same reasons you mentioned above, I come to your blog to read what YOU have to say, not some friend of yours.
I do understand the importance of guest blogging because I have found plenty of very interesting people like that in the past, I’m just not very fond of it.
My site is called “Marketing With Sergio” for a reason, the site is all about me, I AM my brand, I don’t want anyone else to be writing there because if you visit my site, you want to find out what the heck am *I* doing lately, not someone else.
Again, I don’t have any problems with guest blogging and I wish I could do it since I know I would get a lot more traffic and probably grow my audience a bit more but I don’t think it’s a fair approach to want to guest blog in other places and not allow guest posts in my own blog so that’s the exact reason why I don’t submit articles anywhere.
To sum all this up, I pretty much agree with your point of view too, take care and talk soon Theodore! 😉
Sergio
Theodore Nwangene says
Another wonderful and post like comment Sergio :),
Yea, when it comes to guest blogging, its always good to try and submit a top notch article so as to wow the blog owners audience which will propel them to visit your own blog.
Personally too, one of the main reason why i also guest blog just like you is to gain more exposure but, a lot of people has started spamming the whole thing in their quest for backlinks and, thats why it is becoming more like a child play lately.
I also hate visiting blogs where majority of the posts are from guest authors, this is why i no longer visit Problogger.net and Johnchow.com. I want to be able to interact with you whenever i visit your blog and not with some strangers.
Its never bad to accept guest posts but, its bad to make it an everyday affair whereby you no longer write articles on your own. Thanks a lot for updating this post with your comment Sergio.
Always like reading your contributions 🙂 Have a great weekend and, do extend my regards to your fiancee.
Vernessa Taylor says
Hey Sergio!
Always nice to read your post-length comments, as our host, Theodore, so graciously mentioned. LOL Like you, for a long time I didn’t guest post anywhere, since I didn’t accept them on my own blog. After a bit (a year or so), I was asked to guest post on some high-traffic blogs and decided to put my best foot forward and accept those invitations. While I only do so occasionally, I enjoy guest posting on highly engaged, ethical sites.
Until yesterday, I’ve still never had a guest post on my main site. After conversations with the potential author, I saw the excerpt of the post (which was well written), agreed it would fit well with a topic I’ve been covering lately, but I ended up mostly rewriting the post in my style because of numerous issues with it. It didn’t seem right to reject the thing *after* I’d already agreed to accept it. *sigh*
Theodore’s advice is certainly on target!
Sergio Felix says
Hey Vernessa, nice to see you here, long time no see and thanks for sharing your experiences with guest blogging! 😉
Maybe I’ll just bite the bullet and go for it but I have to sort a lot of things before even considering writing for other websites, I hardly ever write in my own blog lol
Take care and hope you’re doing good Vernessa! 😉
Sergio
Theodore Nwangene says
Thanks a lot for keeping the discussion going Sergio, really appreciate that 🙂
sherman smith says
Hey Theodore,
Great tips here. So far I’ve written all of my posts and I also started to get request for guest posting. These tips will definitely helped me to become more cautious on who to accept and who not to accept. Especially for when they have spammy links within their post.
I don’t know who saying guest blogging is dead, but from my point of view it isn’t. I’ve seen a lot of bloggers that allow a lot of guest blogging. Look at Ileane Smith for example. Most of her posts are from guest blogger and she’s doing quite well. I’m considering in having guests to write their valuable posts on my blog once in a while. I’m looking at it as a win/win for them and for me. As long as their providing value within my niche then it is all good.
Thanks Theodore!
Theodore Nwangene says
Thanks for this awesome comment of your Smith,
Yea, guest blogging is supposed to be a win/win game but, most people has started abusing it. I believe that anything that is worth doing is worth doing well so, if you must accept guest posts on your blog then, be careful and look out for the things i shared here secondary, if you must also submit guest posts for other blogs then, you must also make sure its top notch :).
Thanks for stopping by Smith and, have a great weekend.
Adrienne says
Well Theodore, you know my rules for accepting guest posts! It’s by invitation only so my readers aren’t spammy and they have quality blogs. I always read the posts and load them up each month.
I decided to go this route because I wanted my readers to benefit from being scene on my blog since it was gaining such popularity. I get a lot of requests from people who are obviously just looking for a link and some exposure. I can’t fault them for that but it’s pretty obvious to me that they could care less about thier reputation or they would think more before turning in such crappy content. Shame on them for even thinking that would pass the mustard. Then they don’t even reply to comments. Really!
I read that Matt Cutts had said that guest posting really won’t benefit you unless you’re a big time name and you endorse someone. Well how do you think people can even get to that status without putting themselves out there more and guest posting is a great way to achieve that. So whether that’s true or not I will continue to accept guest posts at least throughout the remainder of this year and then decide whether I’ll keep it up or not.
I love helping my readers and to me they’re my friends. For everyone else, they’re on their own. 😉
~Adrienne
Theodore Nwangene says
Thanks a lot for this awesome comment of yours Adrienne,
I really agree with all you said here especially the issue of having your own guest blogging only by invitation. It will ensure that the posts will always be a top notch :).
Just ignore those spammers and, let them go find other spammers like them to guest post for :). Thanks a lot for the comment Adrienne and, how was your weekend? Have a splendid week.
Vernessa Taylor says
Hi Theodore,
Your post excerpt on BizSugar got my attention. (I voted for it!) You’ve hit the key points here on what blog owners ought to look for when dealing with guest posts. Like I mentioned to Sergio in the comment above, I’m still not keen on accepting guest posts from strangers. I like Adrienne’s take on it: allowing people you know and trust to share great content with your readership because you know what they provide will be useful to your readers.
Nice to meet you; I’ll add you to my feed list so I can keep up with your writings.
Theodore Nwangene says
Thanks a lot Vernessa and, sorry for my late reply,
I’m really honoured to have here. Yea, its really important to take all the necessary precautions while dealing with guest bloggers if at all you want to accept them.
I also agree with Adrienne, allowing your readers alone to write for your blog is the best because, they are already familiar with your audience and, will know what best to give them.
Thanks once again for making it to my blog and, please visit again :). Thanks and have a pleasant week Vernessa
Dan Black says
For over a 1 1/2 I’ve had Monday’s open for guest posts on my blog. It’s been a huge success and my readers really enjoy reading the ideas and thoughts about leadership from different people. Though, I have to make sure the content is quality and up to my standard. I see the guest post as helping the person grow their online platform because it creates exposes to them and their blog. Great thoughts!
Theodore Nwangene says
You are right Dan,
And, i like the way you are doing it. Just keep it up and, always try to make sure the article is worth it as you are already doing. Thanks a lot for sharing your wonderful view with us.
Have a great week
Prince Ramgarhia says
this is just an awesome article i was thinking about to starting guest posting and you just aware me. thnx man,
Theodore Nwangene says
Thanks Prince,
I’m so happy to have you here. Just take your time before accepting guest posts :). Thanks for the visit and, sorry for my late reply
Harleena Singh says
Hi Theodore,
Sorry for stopping by late this time – just been busy lately catching up with a lot of pending work after returning from my little holiday, though I’m glad I’m here now 🙂
I agree with ALL that you had to say. Yes, most of us keep getting lots of offers from people wanting to guest post on our blogs, and some bloggers prefer giving other bloggers a chance without really checking out their blogs, links and other details and later suffer. Yes, the latest updates do have a lot mentioned about guest posts links that we need to take care of.
Speaking of myself, I call guest bloggers only through invitation, and they are only those bloggers who have been with my blog for sometimes – a way to honor them and also so that they know the others who visit the blog. I guess replying to the comments and the interaction becomes much more easier this ways. Also, I know the guest bloggers I invite well enough and am aware of their blogs and other details, so all of this makes a lot of difference. More so, I just put up one guest post per month, though I intend changing that to twice a month soon now – not more than that or else your blog loses your voice as you rightly said.
Your readers come to your blog for you mostly, and if they see more of other guest posts, they might just lose interest and not visit your blog again. So, you need to be careful of that fact too.
Thanks for sharing. Have a nice weekend 🙂
Theodore Nwangene says
Hey Leena,
No problem at all, i really understand and, I’m so happy you still made it irrespective of your busy time so, thanks a lot and, welcome back. Hope you brought something for us from your travel :).
Will be expecting and, i indeed agree with all you said in your comment.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful opinion with us and, do have a great week :).
David says
Unbelievable. I had no idea of this side effect of guest blogging. Thank you very much indeed for sharing this important information. Have a nice and fruitful week!
Theodore Nwangene says
You welcome David,
Its good you know about them now at least, you will be more careful with it. Thanks
Jan Koch says
Hi Theodore,
another excellent post 🙂
I agree that guest blogging can produce a lot of work for the blog owner, if you want to prevent publishing low quality content, SEO penalties and similar drawbacks.
Nevertheless I’m considering to start guest blogging on my blog, but only for bloggers I personally know and trust. I won’t ever let anyone submit an article.
I hope on this way I can ensure the high quality. If it turns out to cause a lot of work for me, I’ll most likely hire a VA to check the articles.
Best regards,
Jan
Theodore Nwangene says
Thanks a lot Jan,
Its a nice thing to start accepting guest posts on your blog but, you have to be very careful about what you accepts. Yea, if you cannot be checking the articles yourself then, its better to hire someone that will be doing it for you.
Thanks a lot for stopping by and sharing your wonderful opinion with us :).
Carlie Hamilton says
Right now I’m not accepting guest posts on my blog. I understand the advantages that it could bring, but right now I don’t have the time to focus on it.
That being said, I am actively seeking to publish my own posts on other blogs, as you know as I’ve guest posted here.
Both are great marketing strategies, that’s for sure. But, I can’t focus on everything. I’ve decided to do guest posting, maybe in the future I’ll off guest posting at my website.
Theodore Nwangene says
I agree with you Carlie,
Guest posting is really a great marketing strategy. Its good you’re not accepting it yet but, be more careful with what you accept when you finally made up your mind for it.
Thanks for your great opinion.
adesanmi adedotun says
Guest post is like a two sided coin and when not properly tossed, the probability of getting desire phase will definitely be very low.
Theodore Nwangene says
You’re pretty right Ade,
And i agree with you. Thanks a lot for visiting my site, really appreciate :).
Ashi says
Hey Theodore,
Thanks for that precious update and telling us about the importance of the guest blogging. I have done some guest posting and the overall result was decent. I think it can be helpful to create some new connections and relations.
You meet new people, new readers visit your blog and so on.
I would love to write more guest post.
Anyways thanks for the update , Have a nice day ahead 🙂 Keep posting more related content 🙂
Theodore Nwangene says
Thanks for the addition Robert,
I will surely check out bungeebones.com. Thanks for coming.
Ravi sharma says
Thanks for sharing this useful article.Keep sharing.
AArti says
Very informative post. Learn lots of new things from it. Thanks for the awesome share.