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Guest Posting: Watch Out for Complaints
Welcome to Day Four of our series on guest posting. We’ve looked at one easy way to land a guest post gig, how to better your chances of approval , and how to blow your chances of success.
Today’s post looks at some reader reactions to guest posting and some tips on making the arrangement a success.
There’s a trend happening around the Internet. Work smarter, not harder. Don’t burn yourself out trying to post a ton. Ease up on blogging. The solution? Fill your blog with guest posts! Take a vacation! Hell, bring a new blogger onto the team and split the work forever!
Good strategy? Mmmmmm, maybe not.
People subscribe to blogs for a few reasons:
- They like the information, advice or entertainment
- Everyone else seems to be subscribed
- They’ve heard it’s a top blog
- They’re monitoring the blog’s content or its growth
- They’re friends with the blogger
Readers quickly develop favorites, a bond with the blogger and familiarity with the person’s level of content and style. Blogs create a personal connection. With each new post that delivers what readers expect and want, the blogger reinforces trust and loyalty.
People like consistency and they resist change. They become comfortable and develop expectations. They even get selfish and demand continuity of what they’ve come to expect. Disrupting that comfort zone causes defensive resistance.
A guest post can shake stability, creating unease with readers.
The first guest post sends a small rumble of change. The readers think, “Hm. What’s this?” The reader’s interest is piqued. He or she may nod approval politely, comment and then visit the guest blogger’s home page
Generally, though, readers expect their Beloved Blogger to return soon. A day off is fine. Beloved blogger will come back tomorrow.
Let’s say that a few days later, another guest post pops up. Now readers think, “Hm. Again?” They read politely, comment, visit… but they’re not sure they like this. Beloved Blogger is coming back, right?
By the third guest post, readers start to wonder. “Is this guest posting here to stay? I’m not sure I like this.” If the guest posting keeps up, the thought processes are pretty simple: “I want my idol back.”
The protests begin. Readers might complain. They might start to dislike the trend. They wonder what’s going on with Beloved Blogger. Does Beloved Blogger not love them back?
It’s risky business.
Reader loyalty is fickle and trust is easily broken. A reader who feels betrayed will find somewhere else to go. The person seeks out a blogger who offers consistency and commitment. Why stay if Beloved Blogger isn’t hanging around much either? Readers didn’t sign up for guest posts to begin with.
Think of the situation like a favorite fruit. Readers who enjoy bananas shop for bananas. When they find a good banana vendor, they expect good bananas.
When they get apples, they’ll shop for their bananas elsewhere.
Introduce Change Carefully
If you decide to accept guest posting on your blog, introduce the concept to people before making a move. Loyal readers deserve to know that change is coming, so give them a heads up and warn them. That helps give them time to accept and adapt when guest posting begins.
Screen Guest Posters Carefully
Be sure to choose guest posters that reflect the tone, style, level of information and type of blog that you have. If you’ve always given five-star content, guest posters who offer only three stars aren’t going to do your blog any favors. Choose guest posters wisely and carefully for what they offer.
Create a Pattern
People like consistent, expected patterns and stability. If guest posting will be a regular occurrence, establish a pattern. Choose specific occasions when you’ll accept guest posts, a particular day of the week for guest posting or one regular guest poster with whom readers can become familiar.
Listen to Feedback
If your readers start to grumble, listen to their feedback – and welcome it. Yes, it’s your blog, you can do what you want, and you can’t please all the people all the time, but you do also need reader support and praise. If readers are still complaining after a few weeks, change the situation. Find a way to compromise or a new method that works for everyone.
Pay Attention to Commonalities
If there is negative feedback about guest posting, pay attention to common threads of complaints. Most likely, readers aren’t protesting the concept of guest posts. They may be unhappy with certain posters, the quality of the content, the level of instruction or the poster’s tone and style. Make changes and reestablish peace.
They do say that any press is good press. Personally, I don’t think the boost from bad press is worth losing readers. Keep your readers happy, listen to what they have to say, and find a middle ground that suits you and suits them.
Are there times when you should accept guest posting? Yes indeed, there are. Our next post will look at some of the reasons to accept guest posts – and some of the reasons you shouldn’t.
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I hadn’t even thought of that, but at least I did include your solutions to the problem in my new plan for the blog. Phew!
Alex Fayle’s last blog post..I Really Like to Work
This is the most original post on guest-posting I’ve ever read. If you have a loyal readership, you absolutely have to watch out for these. Good stuff.
Michael Martine’s last blog post..The SEO Ninjas Slip Away Quietly into the Night
Nice stuff, James. I’m reading your post on location in Karachi, and this is actually quite timely information.
I have held off on taking any guest posts for some of the very reasons you outline, but will probably be accepting a few carefully screened ones in the future. I appreciate the guidelines you’ve provided here!
Chris Guillebeau’s last blog post..Scaling Up Your Business or Your Life
Kelly’s last blog post..Inspiration Points: Would You Laugh More Today If You Didn’t Need the Money?
“People like consistency and they resist change.”
I believe this sentence explains well any dissatisfaction or resistance to a guest post. If people want change they want to initiate it themselves and feel as though they have some control over it. A heads up to the readers with an introduction to the guest poster is good form. Also I think an inclusion as to why you selected the guest poster and his/her content as it relates to your blog content goes a long ways.
Your point:
“People like consistent, expected patterns and stability. If guest posting will be a regular occurrence, establish a pattern. Choose specific occasions when you’ll accept guest posts, a particular day of the week for guest posting or one regular guest poster with whom readers can become familiar.”
Patterns can be very important indeed, as it becomes part of the routine. Thus, “change” becomes “the norm” and more easily accepted.
Good points, Barbara
Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach’s last blog post..SURVIVING the Circle of Love (and smashing your fears to teeny tiny bits)
This is a good series. It seems that the issue of accepting guest posts is tied up with issues of blog growth. Sometimes growth can disaffect your core audience.
I don’t know how much editing usually goes on between host bloggers and guest bloggers, but it seems that some of these concerns can be addressed that way. Especially by making sure that guest posts complement the blog’s overall style and tone. That’s easiest by picking the right guest blogger but can also be achieved through collaborative editing so that a promising blogger learns how to write for that blog.
At least that’s the way it usually works in print publications. I think the same would hold more or less true for blogs.
Bill K.’s last blog post..Getting personal about this blogging business
When I hit subscribe on a blog, it’s usually because I find something interesting or unique, or engaging with the voice of the author. It isn’t likely that a guest post is going to share that voice. Guest posts are fine every once in a while, in fact, they can be a nice diversion. But if they become the rule rather than the exception, it’s pretty natural to get turned off.
Writer Dad’s last blog post..You Can Keep the Thrilling Rides, I’ll Take the Floating Rock
I agree–I like consistency, too. And I prefer my change to be announced in advance. “We’ll be on vacation/we’re having a baby/we’re invading Sweden, so there will be guest posts for the next couple weeks.” That kind of thing. Those kind of interruptions in the blogging I know and love I’m more than happy to deal with.
Otherwise? I’d rather only see guest posts once in a while. I don’t know why, exactly, but I’d venture something like this–I read blogs for two reasons. First, for the person writing the blog, and secondly, for the content. If I expect both and I only get one, and it happens too often, why keep coming back? Even if the content is sterling, if I’m not hearing from the person who got me to read in the first place, well, I can get content anywhere. (Theoretically speaking, of course!)
–Deb’s last blog post..How to Be Convincing
I have to admit, this post hits a little close to home for me. When I took on a new job in June, one of my “responsibilities” was to contribute to my new boss’ blog.
Oh, did I mention his blog is listed by Mack Collier and AideRSS as one of the top 25 blogs in marketing and social media? No pressure to perform there…
Jason has had folks guest post before (and has had additional guest posters chime in since I’ve come on board, like today), but I’ve worried quite a bit that people who have gotten used to his … outspoken… personality might not like my slightly lower-key, quirky style.
On the whole, the readers at Social Media Explorer have been really positive, but I think it’s largely because we’ve done most of your suggestions.
J gave his readers a heads up that he was hiring someone, and that someone would be posting at SME on an ongoing basis. He screened me pretty carefully, since it was for a full-time position, not just a guest post. We quickly developed the pattern that I post on Mondays, and he covers Wednesdays and Fridays (unless he gets hold of breaking news for Monday). And so far, we haven’t really had any negative feedback.
Great post–and if I might suggest it, I’d love to see one that went even deeper on the subject of moving from a single-author to multi-author blog.
KatFrench’s last blog post..You are not behind.
I think that the methods of guest posting, proportions of its occurrence and currently-morphing views of it make this post a rather important one. A year ago, guest posting occurred, but not in the way or level that it does today. I assume that guest posting will also continue to change for a while as the blogosphere evolves.
@ WriterDad – That’s the problem. I know myself that I’ve unsubscribed to certain blogs when the owner seemed to be stepping away and posting guest posts that didn’t really reflect the blog’s tone, style and level of info.
I do, however, evaluate the posts before deciding to do so and try to figure out exactly what it is that I don’t like. Blog owners do have reasons for moving into guest posting and sometimes they’re very valid ones, so I need to take that into consideration. Do I like the content? Or did I just love the blogger?
@ Bill – Sometimes, a LOT of editing goes on between a guest post and publication. I’ve heard many people who accept posts breath a sigh of relief at a post that they don’t have to basically rewrite.
@ Barbara – Oh, good point! Smart on you! It’s like a blog that changes its theme each week – the change becomes something people expect and welcome. Well done!
@ Mark – I’m writing some of our thoughts on our stance on guest posting. You might find it interesting. Upcoming
@ Kelly – Backatcha, babe.
@ Chris – I think you too will find my upcoming post about our take on guest posting interesting. I’m glad this one helped
@ Michael – And if you have a smaller amount of readers than 46 billion, then you have to pay extra attention.
@ Alex – Hey, our job is to make you think
@ Deb – Excellent point – Quality content is free for the taking these days. Another reason people need to remember that readers read because of who they’re reading – not just why they’re reading.
I’m with Deb. I’ve stopped reading a few blogs with too many guest posts. The reason I go to those blogs is for the unique voice of the blog owner. There’s generic content all over the web and there’s only so much time in the day to enjoy blogs.
Karen Putz / DeafMom’s last blog post..Kids At Camp?Mom is Partying!
Exactly–coverage for vacations or family emergencies is helpful and gratefully accepted by me, in my role as part of the voracious reading public, but if I wanted to regularly read the guests, I’d be reading THEIR blogs.
Maybe, if a blogger wanted to regularly use guest-bloggers, it would be “friendlier” to the reading public to have it on a regular day. “Guest-Blogger-Friday,” or something like that? The blogger gets a break, the reader gets continuity … and their “preferred” writer the other 5 or 6 days a week!
–Deb’s last blog post..How to Be Convincing
I know that I strayed away from Zen Habits when Leo started having Guest Posts up all the time and…to be truthful, although I’m just now thinking about it and didn’t do it on purpose, I haven’t really even been back. And He was the first blogger I started reading on a daily basis. I was hooked on him. But there are just too many other good bloggers to choose from. Even the really big guys aren’t exempt from needing to be cautious about this.
Wendi Kelly’s last blog post..A Lighthouse in the Storm
I like this series, alot.
The best thing that is being examined here and being so beautifully underscored is quality and care. Care for both personal intent, and for consideration of audience.
I think that blogging as a discipline has enormous potential, but like so many other things, the quality and future of that medium is directly proportional to the care of the individuals who choose to use it.
Blogs are currency. It is glaringly apparent here that the most valued currency at MwP is relationships. So if and when we consider any of the many guest posting options, look at what they are saying, have a care. Make sure the trust built is carefully considered so that that trust is amplified, perpetuated, not undermined by bringing someone in, or going out there yourself to another blog.
Not a bad thing to think about at all.
Janice C Cartier’s last blog post..What Color IS an Island Shore?
Okay the suspense was worth the wait. Good follow up on yesterday’s post. I now look forward to the future posts which are more to the point for me.
Nicole Price’s last blog post..Custom T-shirts
@Janice: “quality and care” – those are two words that leapt out at me from your comment – I agree completely. I use MWP (both the blog and their services) to help me ensure that I’m providing a high quality blog and that I’m taking good care of my readers.
Alex Fayle’s last blog post..I Really Like to Work
James — Just wanted to say I have enjoyed reading your guest posting series. I wrote out a lovely response last night to your previous posts, then lost it. I was too tired then to try to retype it, and too tired now to remember what it was I said. Just know I am enjoying it.
Amy Derby’s last blog post..Should You YouTube Your Freelance Writing Resume?
I subscribe to blogs because of voice. If I want info, I ask my bloggy buddies for suggestions, or do a search. If I’m reading a blog, it’s because of the person writing it, not because of the subject. I recently unsubbed from a top blogger because he farmed out sometimes 2 or 3 guest posts a day! Rarely did any of them have a voice worth listening to, merely beneficial information (most of which had already been covered on the same blog). That’s not enough to keep my attention.
wordvixen’s last blog post..Winner of Irish Dreams
“Reader loyalty is fickle and trust is easily broken.” This sums up why blogging is so darn challenging. Readers make it so. (You readers!!!!!!)
But, this is the way it should be. All the competition out there pushes us to strive to go the next level. We have no choice; there are other bloggers out there racing to catch up. This means, we have to constantly strive to be at our very best – which requires a lot of planning, work and thinking.
Guest posts never bothered me, as long as the material was excellent. Of course, it also depends on the nature of the blog itself.
Bamboo Forest’s last blog post..11 Requirements to be a Mad Scientist
Alex- well, think about it… it is that space in between our personal intent and acceptance from an audience where we are constructing a virtual world. The nature of that can be quite emphemeral in many respects. But it is that very intuitive, emotional mutuality where nifty things can happen. So having care and delivering quality, whenever there is a choice, resonates…..not a bad thing at all.
Having a pattern of guests who match tone and intention, or finding a slot where our own work can add to someone else’s is an enlarging ripple. Like this we say, ahh, here’s some too…that kind of thing.
I hope that makes sense.
Janice C Cartier’s last blog post..What Color IS an Island Shore?
Okay, by this point, I am feeling incredibly blushy and all, “Aw, shucks,” which is completely uncharacteristic and should be put down in history’s tomes.
@ Karen – Oh, god, there is SO much generic content that it makes my job a bore to research and a pleasure to do better than many others. Thank you for being a reader
@ Deb – Picking a special day for it is perfect.
@ Wendi – I had Zen in my feed reader for all of two weeks while I tried to figure out what was so great. Never looked back since.
@ Janice – Okay you just took my whole series and summed it up in those two words. I both hate you for doing that and want to make you my new best friend for saying all those nice things
@ Nicole – Oh, you’re just looking for a point? Well, DAMN.
@ Alex – Your newfound leap into the blogosphere shows that you’re putting advice to good use. You’ll also see a difference once we get your design up and make you not only sound good but look good too
@ Amy – It’s the thought that always counts with me.
@ WordVixen – I’ll borrow the American term and plead the fifth.
@ Bamboo – You made me think, actually. Reader trust is something that I hold very high in value, because if a reader trusts me, it means that I’ve done something very right and good to deserve that trust. That’s important. Now, how to do that once I hit 40 million readers…
@ Janice – Lay off the coffee, hon. You’re using words with more syllables than I have fingers.
WordVixen,
I hear you. There’s this very popular blogger whose voice I just love, upon whom I place the blame for my blogging, who began farming out more and more over the course of several months. If it weren’t for the fact that I also love some of his guests I’d have unsubbed by now, because I find myself longing for what I originally came there for.
I used to get excited to click through to his posts, but they’re so rarely his anymore, that I don’t hurry.
My feeling? I love bananas. If I know from the beginning that it’s a mixed fruit basket, okay, maybe, but I’m unlikely to become a loyal reader. It does have a lot to do with trust and a stated policy, though. If apples show up without warning, I might get a bit piqued.
Unless the apple is Harry. Then I’m good. Where is my Delicious apple?
Regards,
Kelly
Kelly’s last blog post..Inspiration Points: Would You Laugh More Today If You Didn’t Need the Money?
The problem is LACK of coffee, darlin’…. I was up late thinking about big words over at BlogRivit.
And for those two words- Oops, or yes. Whichever one you like, Quebecois.
Priceless stuff here you two.
Janice C Cartier’s last blog post..What Color IS an Island Shore?
Very timely advice, as the Lion and I have come up with a Guest Posting Hosting strategy. Fortunately, it falls under your do’s and avoids your don’ts. Nice to know we are on the right track.
P.S. You are a very clever man telling me that you only remember to come to my site because I post on yours, and that triggers a visit to mine. Now I have to keep coming over here and commenting, don’t I? Clever, clever man! And since you will be triggered to head over to my site, I did respond to your last comment about the banner. (Clever, clever girl. Now James has to go to your site for sure!)
Urban Panther’s last blog post..A little sidetrip
I don’t really care for this series!
Ah ok, just kidding! Everyone loves it and I just wanted to toss a stone in the water. I actually enjoy this series more than you know because this is one area on the web I am totally unfamiliar with.
Thanks James for sharing your knowledge for free. I think this would make a great eBook for you to sell.
John Hoff – eVentureBiz’s last blog post..Allowing Readers To Subscribe To Your WordPress Post Without Commenting
(John- or “guest post grooming”, a sign up class, ahem, don’t you think?)
Janice C Cartier’s last blog post..What Color IS an Island Shore?
@ John – *interest piqued* Oh is that so, eh? Ebook, hm?
Hey everyone. Whatcha want an ebook about?
@ Panther – And see? It worked. Your comment went up, I said, “oh shit! Must go check her posts!” Commented and read, went over to Lion’s, commented and read, and the world is a happy place for James
It’s perfect.
@ Janice – for some reason your comment had me seeing a golden retriever being brushed . . .? Sometimes I just have to wonder about my mind.
Yeah wow, what a great concept. Kinda like the “Teach Sells” curriculum, James can have the “Guest Post Your Way To Success” studies.
John Hoff – eVentureBiz’s last blog post..Allowing Readers To Subscribe To Your WordPress Post Without Commenting
@ James – uh, I assume when you went to Panther’s blog you “read then commented” and not the other way around. If it was the other way around, write an eBook on how you did that! Guaranteed winner! hehehe
I think an eBook on this series is a great idea but probably not one that will make you “rich,” yeah I know that’s not the point, but of course as an entrepreneur you still want to hit a home run. But if there was some kind of added value to it?
Just make sure it wouldn’t only read for copywriters, but something any blogger could use.
Hmmm…I’ll think more about topics.
John Hoff – eVentureBiz’s last blog post..Allowing Readers To Subscribe To Your WordPress Post Without Commenting
John-
“Yeah wow, what a great concept.”
Thanks.
I saw horse in stalls maybe…..but seriously, if there was a supported package and someone who knew what they were doing took you through all the jumps , well, I could see that as a short term commitment with a high ROI… it ’s the edting support that would be the added value. You actually work from posts you want to “groom” and put out there.
Just some thoughts.
Janice C Cartier’s last blog post..What Color IS an Island Shore?
But I was actually thinnking of haberdashery.
Uh oh big word , big word.
Janice C Cartier’s last blog post..What Color IS an Island Shore?
@ Janice – I worked as a groom and stable manager. May I just say that it’s not as glamorous a job as it looks?
@ James: my fantasy ebook: “Too sexy for your shirt: How to be the female equivalent of Men with Pens when you’re only a fantasy editor.”
steph’s last blog post..Tagline Tag
@ Steph – Too Sexy for Your Sheets: How to Use Editing and Land a Date with an Agent.
@ steph – HEY! That’s exactly mine too!
LOL
John Hoff – eVentureBiz’s last blog post..Allowing Readers To Subscribe To Your WordPress Post Without Commenting
I bet not. Although, I always loved brushing and currying horses, but wouldn’t want to do it full time.
Time for a beverage I think …I have some more ink drawing I must play with but I refuse to “Stay thirsty” .
Janice C Cartier’s last blog post..What Color IS an Island Shore?
Okay. Definitely time for a beverage. Now that song is stuck in my head. I blame Steph….I’m too sexy for my shirt, too sexy…….. definitely time for a beverage.
Janice C Cartier’s last blog post..What Color IS an Island Shore?
James, John, Janice: LOL!!
Catchy isn’t it?
EditQuest: So sexy it hurts.
(er, but in a good way)
steph’s last blog post..Tagline Tag
James: Okay, actually, I *like* that title!!
steph’s last blog post..Tagline Tag
I think what would make a great eBook is:
“How To Finish A Baby Blanket While The Baby Is Still A Baby”
….inside joke
@ Lindsey – Auuugh!! *waves of guilty*
You’re tricky. *waggles finger* Verrrry tricky. I haven’t forgotten, you know. And I’m 37 and still use a blanket. So there. I have time.
Wonderful timely advice. For me it comes down to the blog’s image and vision. It would be more damaging to my reputation to ruin someone else’s blog than to spout off on my own.
@Leslie–That’s much easier if you’re an obsessive knitter! (grin)
–Deb’s last blog post..Blog Showing
@Kelly- I’ve more or less solved my “this post is not the post I’m looking for” on a lot of popular bloggers by unsubbing from their feeds, but subbing to their twitter feeds. Most of them tweet new posts, and I can see if the post will interest me or not without getting that guilty feeling I get when not opening a post on my reader.
wordvixen’s last blog post..My Virtual Writing World
Interesting timing
I’ve got a guest posting on my blog today, coincidentally. For me, guest post placement is an ad hoc sort of thing, more than a plan: I occasionally run across a blogger I like, for one reason or another, and want my readers to meet, and so I give an invitation… like that. It doesn’t happen often, but it doesn’t happen on a schedule either. You’ve made me think of something, though, and I had to check back through my records to see if my memory was right (which it is) — that I’ve never published a guest post from someone who approached me out of the blue. Seems to me, that feel just a bit like setting your sister up with a guy you’d never met… wouldn’t it? Isn’t a guest post placement, in essence, a personal recommendation of this guest by Beloved Blogger to readers?
rjleaman’s last blog post..7 Ways to Optimize To-Do Lists
@ RJ – All of our guest posts (count ‘em! Three! or was that two?) are all posts that come from writers we asked personally. Heh, it’s funny to watch them just about pass out. “But you don’t accept guest posts!!!” “No, we don’t. Would you like to write one?” “HELL YES!”
That said, people should *never* wait to be asked. It may never happen.
James Chartrand – Men with Pens’s last blog post..Guest Posting: After You Get the Yes
“That said, people should *never* wait to be asked…” applies to, oh, just about everything in life, doesn’t it?
Just need to (a) find the courage, (b) put best foot forward, and (b) hope for good timing to get that “HELL YES!” in response…
rjleaman’s last blog post..7 Ways to Optimize To-Do Lists