I think we can all agree that we would like more readers. No? Maybe it’s just me, but I know when I look at my google analytics, I get really excited when I see the number of unique visitors coming to my site each month rising.

I want to share with you one strategy that I used when I began blogging that helped me land new readers. That strategy is called guest posting.

What is guest posting?

Here’s a little visual comparison between regular blog posting and guest posting.

Guest posting is when you write an article for someone else’s blog and they post it on their site with a link back to your blog. Hopefully your article will be captivating enough that people will be dying to know more about YOU {the guest poster} and click on the link.

What does that mean for you? New readers. New eyeballs. New followers. Google analytics unique visitors goes up.

It’s as easy as that.

Are you ready to start guest posting now?

Here are 3 tips that will help you maximize the guest posting strategy

1.  Start Housekeeping

No, I don’t mean bust out your vacuum and dust rags and start sweeping your floors. I am talking about housekeeping on your blog. Make sure your blog is presentable. Would you host a party at your house without it being in “good order”? Then why would you invite people to come to your website if it’s a hot mess.

• Make sure you have a good header or logo.
• Create a detailed “About” page that really illustrates who you are and what your blog is about.
• Have your social media icons easily visible so that readers can follow you. 
• Make it simple to find your most popular posts so that you are highlighting your best content.

 

2.  Make Yourself Known

This tip will help you land guest posts on some of the bigger blogs out there. Before you submit a request to guest post on someone else’s blog make sure that they know you. Show them your an interested reader by:

• Commenting on their website frequently.
• Following them on twitter, facebook, google+, etc.
• Engaging with them via social media.

You want to make sure that you are not a stranger to them. The amount of emails and requests they get on a daily basis is overwhelming. Make it known that you are a true fan of their site if you want a chance at them even reading your guest post submission request.

3. Do Your Research

It may sound ridiculous that I would even need to say this, but read their site first and learn about who they are before you bombard them with, “Oh hey, can I guest post on your blog?”

I can not tell you how many guest post submissions I have received over the last few years from bloggers who clearly have never even read my blog. It’s almost absurd. Why would a blogger want to have you on as a guest if you know absolutely nothing about their site or what their readers like?

Also, make sure that you are providing unique content. Don’t send them over a generic post that can easily be found anywhere on the web. Search their blog and find topics they are passionate about. You can alway write something that highlights another article they have already written as long as you give it your voice.

In my first year of blogging at Good Financial Cents I wrote over 30 guest post articles for some of my favorite sites. It’s a great way to gain readership and has helped me land thousands of new readers.

Here are two examples of emails that I have received for guest post submissions.

A quick look at what NOT to do…

An example of an acceptable request…

Guest posting is a great strategy to grow your subscribers and I hope you found these tips to be helpful.

If you want so see what it took to get my blog on the map when I first started, just out my guest post on Pat Flynn’s blog Smart Passive Income where I share my guest posting strategy. It was A LOT of work, but it also resulted in a big payday. You’ll have to read the post to find out. 🙂