Want great content for your blog? Ask for it!

In the perennial quest for content, there are many sources to choose from. While most business bloggers create their own original content, sometimes, it's just not possible.

Case in point. I'm going on vacation for three weeks. I have too much on my plate to queue up the equivalent of 2 to 3 posts per week for two blogs (that would be 6-9 articles to write in advance). What to do?

I solicited guest posts. This is how you, too, can fill the content gaps when you can't do all the writing yourself for one reason or another. Don't be shy. When you ask, you'll most likely get a positive response.

I sent an email to about 10 trusted colleagues and asked for help.

I told them about my social reach: blog subscribers, twitter followers, Facebook fans and friends, LinkedIn connections, etc. My content is syndicated to a lot of places so I let them know there would be some good exposure in it for them in addition to helping me out.

And boy, did my friends come through for me. Most sent me 2-3 articles to choose from and not one person said "no." I have more than enough content to cover three weeks on two blogs.

This is the other side of guest posting. Rather than you posting on other people's blogs (which is important too), open up your blog to your colleagues, vendors, customers, and experts in your niche. You win, your colleague wins and your readers win by getting exposure to new perspectives and ideas.

Before you solicit guest posts, jot down any requirements you have for the content. I left it wide open for my friends. They are all involved in online and social marketing so I knew their content would fit. And, I did not require original, previously unpublished content as many bloggers do. I wanted to make it easy for them to say yes. Be sure to get a photo and bio info for the author so you can promote them and mention their business as well as link to their site. That's a courtesy since they're helping you out.

And, there's one more benefit for you...some of your guest authors will probably drive some traffic to your blog since they want to let their own community know where to find one of their articles. It's a win all the way around!

If you want to learn more about guest posting, check out Chris Garrett's Guest Posting ebook. I heard this week that over 2,000 copies have been sold in just 8 months! It's that good (and a steal at only $17).

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Comments

[Susanne Myers]

Great post and I'll definitely second the Chris Garrett recommendation. I got his Guest blogging ebook a few months ago and picked up quite a few great tips.

Another good read is Nicole Dean's Blog World Tour Guide.

[dotCOMreport.com]

Enjoy vacation. Will miss your posts but it sounds like you've got a great lineup waiting for us. Anyone else have recommendations? Chris Garrett is a great pick.

[christinajeanne]

That is a great idea. I usually write my own blogs but lately I have trouble figuring out what I want to write. But, the content on my blog is pretty varied so that helps.