Networking Opportunities Made Possible by Guest Blogging
Just like in the offline world, sometimes it is “who you know” that counts. In online business, there are many ways to network with other business owners. One way is through guest blogging.
You are building your business and making your mark in cyberspace. As a complement to your business, you start a blog. It is a place where readers and customers can interact with you, find out about new product offerings and get business information.
Networking is important for business owners. You can find new partners for business ventures, resources for upcoming product launches and ways to increase your visibility. Those who you give a chance to may turn around and offer you a helping hand one day.
There are two facets to networking through guest blogging:
- You as guest blogger
- Guest bloggers on your blog
You as Guest Blogger
Through your work, you make contact with suppliers, clients and other business people. Everyone that they know is a potential new contact for you. One of your clients or those in your business circle may ask you to guest blog for them. If you know the person and their reputation, this may be a no-brainer.
With their influence, you are opening yourself up to a new audience of business owners and other readers who can be of use to you. Always bring your best work to a guest spot just as you would on your own site. You want to be remembered (in a good way).
- Interact with your audience. Ask questions in your posts that they can respond to via comments. Answer comments with advice and a friendly voice.
- Add a website or blog link to your bio box so interested readers can find you.
- Post links to the guest blog posts on your website to interest your readership. This builds trust and expert status.
Guest Bloggers on Your Blog
Finding the right guest blogger is not easy. Getting the cream of the crop is even harder, especially if you are not well-known. Even so, only extend the invitation to those that you trust and have read their work.
- Ask friends who have blogs or online businesses and clients with expertise to blog for you. They can give your readers a new insight into what you do. Besides, you are also bringing their readers to your place for a look see.
- Set down ground rules: No foul language in posts or comments. Stick to the topic assigned. All work is to be reviewed before publishing. A bad incident could get you labeled and cause the larger, more influential bloggers to shy away from you.
Networking is needed to get your name on everyone’s screen. Use both sides of guest blogging to make your own networking opportunities with those who can benefit from a reciprocal relationship.
Thank you!
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Thanks for sharing this information, it’s a great idea and I look forward to experiencing both sides of this invaluable coin
Hi Maeve, thank you so much for your comment.
Guest blogging is a great thing. And as you say, both sides of the coin!
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Claus, I think guest blogging can be a really great way to strengthen relationships and get more exposure. But at what point in a blog’s growth would it be appealing for outsiders to guest blog? Our blog is rather new, and I’d love to invite people to guest blog, but I always think “but there’s not that much traffic”. Is that not the right way to think, or would people still like to be asked? What do you think?
Hi Bonnie,
Thank you so much for your comment… If your blog is new, you might not have some “big shot” to guest blog, but I don’t see a problem with asking people to guest blog on a new blog. Actually, for some people, it’s easier to promote their blog if it is someone elses post they are promoting, so having a great guest post would give you an opportunity to really promote your blog by telling about this great guest you have invited to write for you. I can tell you , that I have my highest number of visitors when I have a guest blogger. Simply because I promote it differently that when I promote my own posts.
I hope this is useful.
Claus
That does help, Claus. I hadn’t thought of it as a different opportunity to promote the blog. You’ve done great with your blog, by the way! I can see you’ve put a lot of effort into it. Way to go!
Thank you, I’m glad you found my answer useful
[...] Networking Opportunities Made Possible by Guest Blogging One way is through guest blogging. You are building your business and making your mark in cyberspace. As a complement to your business, you start a blog. It is a place where readers and customers can interact with you, find out about … [...]