From time to time the request comes in: can I guest blog on your blog? In most cases, the request is for my automotive blog a site that I started a few months after this blog, but one that contains nearly two hundred more posts then The Article Writer. Although I appreciate the interest, I routinely turn down almost every request as I usually don’t seek a guest blogger unless they have something to say that could add value to my blog. Some bloggers routinely open up their blogs to guests while others would absolutely never consider this practice. Let’s take a closer look at guest blogging and whether you should consider allowing others to blog on your site.

When Guest Blogging Makes Sense

There are a number of reasons why allowing others to blog on your blog makes perfect sense. These reasons can include:

Sleeping PuppyYou are a new blogger and could really use the input and interaction another blogger could provide for your site. Typically, in these situations, your blog has yet to achieve PageRank and it is relatively unknown to most other bloggers. A blogger with experience can provide a well written post and bring traffic to your site. Expect to pay this blogger for their work and allow a generous share of back links to their site as part of their service to you.

The time you can reasonably spend on your blog isn’t enough to keep it viable. Now I know what you may be thinking: why have a blog if you don’t have the time to blog? Blogs are an excellent way to receive search engine recognition (e.g., SERPs, back links, PageRank, etc.) and they can play an important role in establishing your brand. Bringing on a guest blogger can help fill in the gaps, while hiring a freelance blogger will allow you to concentrate on other aspects of managing your business.

When hiring a blogger make certain that you spell out what you expect from them and state what you will give in return: use of author’s name, financial incentive, back links, etc. Require that the information to be blogged be original material and get at least a thirty-day soft license where the article will be exclusive to your site before it can be used elsewhere. Pay a little extra to waive their right to reprint it at a later date.

When Guest Blogging Could Be A Poor Choice

Having a guest blogger can be more harmful than helpful, perhaps in ways you would never had considered:

Playful KittensYou are an established blogger with a strong brand name. Any articles on your site not written by you might detract from your brand no matter how well they are written. On this blog I don’t allow guest blogging for one simple reason: I have branded The Article Writer and I use my blog as one way of pitching my work to prospective clients. I must maintain a consistent voice throughout the blog as this site is one way I showcase my writings — I consider this blog to be part of my online curriculum vitae.

Your reputation is muddled. Relating to my previous point, having too many guest bloggers can confuse what you are attempting to say to your readers. I have visited blogs where multiple bloggers successfully work in unity to promote their brand, but I have also visited blogs where just one guest blogging article seemed to take away from the blog. If you choose to use the services of a guest blogger, it might be wise to add in a disclaimer stating that the views of the guest blogger aren’t necessarily your own.

For some blogs, a guest blogger could be a direct competitor. Although your guest blogger may have something of value to share, is it worth having their input at the possible expense of losing some customers? Your guest blogger doesn’t need to say anything overt to steal away your customers, but by just having their article and name on your blog could pique the interest of one or more customers who just may decide to click on the back link and head over to your competitor’s site. Know your guest bloggers and determine if they are a competitor or colleague.

Blogging: Not What It Used To Be

As it has been all along, anyone can start a blog and add articles to it immediately — that is the beauty and freedom with this type of journalism. However, over the past few years we have been witnessing an increase in the number of serious bloggers — online journalists who write with passion, clarity, and with a recognizable, brand-able voice. In other words, they are legitimately recognized by their blogging peers as leaders in their area of expertise.

Inasmuch as bringing on a guest blogger may appeal to you, carefully weighing the pros and cons of taking this action could be essential to the long term success of your business.