Guest Blogging Etiquette: What to Do Before and After Your Post Goes Live to Become a Guest Blogger

Guest blogging is an excellent way to build your personal brand, drive traffic, and establish authority in your niche. However, it’s more than just submitting content and hoping for approval—successful guest blogging is about building relationships, maintaining professionalism, and adding value to the blog and its readers. Practicing proper etiquette before and after your post goes live will increase the chances of your post being accepted and lay the foundation for long-term collaborations. In this article, we’ll cover the key steps to follow before and after your guest post is published to ensure a smooth and professional guest blogging experience.

Before Your Post Goes Live

1. Research and Respect the Blog’s Guidelines

The first step to successful guest blogging is carefully reviewing the blog’s guidelines. Each blog has its own set of rules, and they typically include information about:

• Topics: What the blog focuses on and which topics are off-limits.
• Tone and style: Whether the writing is formal, casual, or somewhere in between.
• Formatting: Required word count, image usage, subheadings, and internal links.
• SEO requirements: Blogs may ask for certain keywords or specific types of links.

Failing to follow these guidelines can result in your post being rejected, no matter how well-written it is. Blog owners appreciate contributors who take the time to understand their expectations and deliver accordingly.

Action Tip: Bookmark or save the submission guidelines for each blog you’re targeting and review them multiple times before submitting your post to ensure you’re meeting all the criteria.

2. Personalize Your Pitch

When you reach out to a blog editor, avoid sending a generic, one-size-fits-all pitch. Instead, take the time to craft a personalized message that shows you’ve done your homework. Mention specific posts from their blog that you enjoyed or refer to a recent discussion they had on social media. This not only demonstrates that you’re genuinely interested in contributing but also shows you understand the blog’s audience.

Keep your pitch brief and to the point, but also make sure to outline the key points of your proposed guest post. Highlight how your content will add value to the blog and its readers. Most importantly, be respectful in your approach, and avoid coming off as overly self-promotional.

Action Tip: Include 2-3 potential topics in your pitch, giving the blog owner options. This shows flexibility and gives them more reasons to consider your contribution.

3. Write High-Quality, Original Content

Once your pitch is accepted, it’s time to create a post that reflects your best work. One of the biggest faux pas in guest blogging is submitting subpar or duplicate content. Plagiarism or spinning existing articles will not only get your post rejected but could also damage your reputation.

When writing, make sure your content provides fresh insights, is well-researched, and adds value to the readers. Tailor your tone and style to match the blog’s audience, and include actionable takeaways that readers can apply. The more value your guest post offers, the more likely it is to be well-received by the blog’s readers.

Action Tip: Incorporate original examples, case studies, or personal experiences to make your guest post unique and memorable.

4. Optimize for SEO Without Overdoing It

While optimizing for SEO is important, guest blogging is primarily about offering value, not manipulating search engines. Blog owners appreciate SEO-friendly posts, but keyword stuffing, over-linking, or pushing promotional content can hurt your chances of being accepted.

If the blog owner allows backlinks, make sure they are relevant and contribute to the flow of the content. Place keywords naturally and ensure that they enhance readability. Also, avoid inserting promotional links to products or services unless explicitly allowed by the blog’s guidelines.

Action Tip: Use 1-2 well-placed internal links to the blog’s own content. This shows you’re adding value to the site by promoting its other resources.

5. Provide Supporting Materials

If the blog encourages visuals, offer high-quality images, infographics, or relevant charts that enhance your content. Not only do visuals break up text and make the post more engaging, but they also increase the chances of your post being shared.

Additionally, when submitting your post, include a professional author bio. This is your opportunity to introduce yourself to a new audience. Keep it concise, mention your expertise, and provide a link to your website or social media profiles. If the blog permits, include a call to action in your bio, such as a link to a free resource or newsletter sign-up.

Action Tip: Provide multiple versions of your bio (a short and long one) in case the blog editor needs flexibility when formatting.

After Your Post Goes Live

1. Promote the Post on Your Own Channels

Once your guest post goes live, you need to amplify its reach. Share the post across your social media platforms, email lists, and any other relevant networks. Promoting the post not only drives traffic to the blog, but it also demonstrates to the blog owner that you’re committed to contributing to the success of their site.

Additionally, tagging the blog owner or editor in your social posts can help strengthen your relationship with them and increase engagement. Always express gratitude to the blog owner for allowing you to contribute when sharing the post publicly.

Action Tip: Create multiple social media posts promoting the guest post over the course of several weeks. Share it more than once to maximize visibility.

2. Engage with the Blog’s Audience

Your guest post is an opportunity to build your personal brand and connect with a new audience. One of the best ways to do this is by actively engaging with readers in the comments section. Answer questions, acknowledge compliments, and address any feedback or concerns in a helpful and respectful manner.

Being active in the comments section shows that you care about the readers and are open to engaging in conversation. It also increases your visibility and can drive more traffic to your own website.

Action Tip: Set aside time over the first week after your post goes live to check the comments regularly. Respond promptly and thoughtfully to any interactions.

3. Thank the Blog Owner Personally

While it’s important to thank the blog owner publicly when promoting the post, it’s equally essential to reach out privately. Send a personal email thanking them for the opportunity to contribute and for their time in publishing your post.

This simple act of gratitude can help solidify your relationship with the blog owner, increasing the likelihood of being invited back for future guest posts. A good rapport with blog owners can also lead to long-term collaborations, such as becoming a regular contributor or even landing referral opportunities.

Action Tip: Mention how you enjoyed the process and express your interest in contributing again in the future if appropriate. Always leave the door open for future collaborations.

4. Monitor Traffic and SEO Benefits

Track the performance of your guest post by monitoring the referral traffic it sends to your site. You can use Google Analytics or other tracking tools to see how many visitors clicked through from the guest post. Also, keep an eye on how the backlink from the guest post affects your domain authority and search engine rankings over time.

This data will help you gauge the effectiveness of your guest blogging efforts and adjust your strategy for future posts. If your post performs well, it can serve as a case study to pitch other blogs.

Action Tip: Record the key metrics from your guest post, such as referral traffic, social shares, and engagement levels. Use this data to improve your guest blogging strategy moving forward.

5. Build Long-Term Relationships

Guest blogging isn’t a one-and-done strategy. T0  Become a guest blogger cultivate long-term relationships with blog owners, editors, and fellow contributors. After your post goes live, stay in touch with the blog owner. Share any positive feedback you receive about the post, and express your interest in collaborating again.

Building relationships with industry influencers and bloggers can open doors to more guest blogging opportunities, partnerships, and referrals, boosting your credibility and expanding your reach over time.

Action Tip: Consider sending a follow-up pitch a few months after your first guest post, offering fresh ideas based on current trends or new research.

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