Guest posts are one of the hottest strategies for increasing online visibility. Like most marketing strategies, there are different opinions on how to do it right. I am not a fan of the do it this way, not that way mantra. You need to find what works for you. However, there are two sides to the guest post story – the side of the guest blogger and the one of the host blogger. And, therein lies the problem. If the two don’t mesh, it’s not going to happen.

The Host Blogger

I appreciated Jennifer Mattern’s guidelines in Accepting May Guest Posts. It provides clear instructions and sets the expectation of what All Freelance Writing accepts in the way of guest posts. I liked them so much, I plan on using them to develop my own Guest Post Policy.

I’ve been remiss in posting guidelines. Let’s be real. It’s only been fairly recent that I had any need to post a Guest Post Policy. I figure you can’t complain about the garbage requests you receive if you don’t let readers know what you accept. That doesn’t mean you won’t still receive garbage requests, but at least you’ve tried to provide guidelines.

Here are guest post recommendations for a host blogger.

1. Post your Guest Post Policy
2. If there are sites you do not accept, list them
3. Include your contact information
4. Identify acceptable forms for submission (e.g., Word document)
5. Include general instructions on content (e.g., fits one of your blog’s categories)
6. Specify an acceptable post length (e.g., 300 to 500 words)
7. Provide bio requirements regarding length/photo/links
8. Detail your acceptance of links throughout the post (e.g., see Jenn’s #3)
9. Advise of any expectations regarding the guest blogger responding to comments
10. Indicate if you accept/expect photos/images

Tip: Request the link of the image and spell out it should be from a creative commons/public domain site. Many newbies do not understand image Copyright laws. Sure, it’s not your responsibility to educate them, but a brief reference in your guidelines may raise awareness and protect you in the process.

You do not have to justify your Guest Post Policy. It’s your blog – your baby. For me, I think about it as if it was my home. Would I feel comfortable letting the person into my home?

One last recommendation – send a response to guest bloggers who follow your guidelines – whether it’s yay or nay.

The Guest Blogger

Shortly after reading Jenn’s post, I saw a guest post at Daily Blogging Tips, The Frustrations of a Guest Blogger. That got me thinking about the two sides of the guest post story. The guest blogger had some valid points regarding unclear guidelines and communication.

Simple, clear guidelines help eliminate frustrations on both ends. If you require a specific format for submission, say so. Do you want it emailed or submitted on your online form? Guest bloggers who ignore your guidelines are like guests who ignore the RSVP on your party invitation. They should not be surprised when they show up and find an annoyed host who guessed wrong on the number of servings.

The second point of the guest blogger about communication is a bit stickier. Spammers have made the online world more suspicious. In freelance writing years, I’m still a pup. (At my age, I love being able to say that). I did not start blogging until 2008, so I am not that far removed from newbie status.  I have empathy for the guest blogger who does not have a clear lay of the land. In the beginning, I answered every request for a guest post and even offered suggestions for improving their request. I’m either a frustrated teacher or a total putz – perhaps both.

My inbox creaks with the load of guest post requests. I admit that I have taken to ignoring the spammier-looking requests. Then my guilt sets in that maybe it’s a newbie. So, on behalf of newbies everywhere, here are some guest post recommendations for guest bloggers.

1. Look for a Guest Post Policy – if there – read it
2. Follow the guidelines
3. Do your homework – review the categories, read the posts, understand the audience
4. Suggest a topic(s) – provide a brief description
5. Explain why you think it fits the blog
6. Do not ask the host blogger for ideas (unless you know them well)
7. Do not take rejection personally
8. Thank the host blogger for ANY response
9. Before submitting a request, become part of the community
10. Leave thoughtful comments

For me, and many of my colleagues, those last two points are huge. Remember, our blog is our home. We want to know who you are before we open the door to a guest post. Have we ever made exceptions? Sure, but only if you follow our guidelines.

What are your recommendations for guest posts?

About the Author

Cathy Miller has a business writing blog at Simply stated business, a health care blog at Simply stated health care and her personal blog, millercathy: A Baby Boomer’s Second Life.

Getting The Guidelines

When you are writing for print, the guidelines for the publication are the golden rule you need to follow. Problem is…not every magazine puts these on the web for you. So where do you find them?

Here are the two things I do most often:

+ Send an e-mail and ask for them.

Keep this simple. Don’t go on about yourself or send half-baked pitches. Simply request guidelines and thank the person for their time. Don’t get sent to the spam folder by trying a clever subject line. Just put something in there like “guidelines request” or “guidelines for writers”.

Who do you send the e-mail to? Depends on who is available. An editorial assistant is fine, but you can also ask for them from a managing editor, or an editor. Don’t try an editor-at-large (they may not even work directly for the publication), and if there are many choices, it’s probably a good idea to avoid the top editor position.

+ Google.

Not all guidelines can be found this way, but many can. Also, if you are looking for one magazine, you might also find related publications that you can pitch an idea to if you’re lucky. For example, if you are searching for guidelines for “Chicago Magazine” you might also find info on the “Chicago Reader”.

Getting A Response

Once you send in a query, the next step is waiting for a response. This can be a maddening experience. Here’s how to survive it:

+ Wait the amount of time the guidelines state before following up.

Don’t be pushy. If the guidelines say that you should receive a response within three months, don’t follow up in two. Respect the time-frame. If you don’t, you might blow it.

+ Send a gentle reminder.

If you have followed the previous step, follow up–but gently. (And wait two weeks or so before you do for good measure.) Send the original e-mail with a brief follow-up, and don’t write too much. Simply state you are checking in on a query submitted (add the date) and request an update.

Getting Paid

When the article has been submitted and you are ready to get paid, there are some things you should be aware of first. Some publications require you to invoice them, others do contracts and still others simply send a check. If this is your first time working for the publication, just ask what they prefer if they haven’t already made it clear.

If you have worked with them before, be sure to follow the protocol. Some things to keep in mind if you invoice include:

• Dating the invoice
• Submitting all of the information for payment (name, address or PayPal addy, SS# or EIN# if applicable)
• Describing the work completed

For contracts, be sure to:

• Know what you are signing
• Do the best you can to protect your rights to sell the piece again
• Keep a signed copy for your records
• Send them in immediately

Do you have any suggestions for getting the goods in print writing? If so, please share them here!

As freelance writers, entrepreneurs and small business owners, we are constantly finding ways to effectively improve the marketing of our services and products online. Since most of us are not large corporations and cannot afford a team of marketing consultants and employees to do the groundwork for us, learning to formulate and execute new ideas on our own for as little money as possible, is essential.

Freelance writers are not web designers or SEO (search engine optimization) enthusiasts, but every freelancer has the ability to effectively improve his/her website’s performance, one step at a time. As writers, authors, editors, copywriters and anything else related to your services, the content on your website is your most valuable asset. The problem is, that as important as your content on your website may be, you may be overlooking some very fundamental aspects of SEO, that can dramatically impact the way your website is indexed and ranked by Google, Bing and Yahoo.

Here are a few quick and easy SEO changes that you or your web designer can easily implement to better your website’s exposure.

Pay Attention to Keywords and Keyword Terms

For those of you who are web savvy freelance writers, you probably already know that keywords in your content play a big role in user searches.

As an example: “We are a copywriting and marketing firm helping our clients achieve professional writing services.”

The simple sentence above includes keywords like “copywriting” and “marketing firm,” however they don’t pertain to any location per say.

- A simple easy fix would be adding a location you are trying to target.

The results: “We are a Boise Copywriting and Marketing firm helping small businesses achieve professional writing services.”

Now your keywords relate not only to your service, but also who and where you are trying to target. These tips are often times easily overlooked, especially when constructing your first website. And lastly, be careful not to get carried away and put too many of the same keywords in a paragraph or page, as Google will penalize your rankings. This is known as “keyword stuffing.”

Stay Relevant

Back in 2011, Google did a major search engine algorithm update, which put the importance of relevant and fresh content higher than ever before. What does this mean? All of those websites from 2002 that haven’t been touched or updated since then, will take a huge drop in rankings. Google continues to give higher-ranking power to websites that keep fresh and relevant content on a weekly basis. As writers, this means that now is the time to update your content and keep consistent with updates.

The best way to keep fresh content on your site is by utilizing a blog. For many writers, their website is a blog. If that’s already the case, try to always blog about useful and relevant information at least a few times a week. It is also important that whatever topic you find yourself writing about; make sure that it’s relevant to your online audience.

The most popular blogging platform available today is WordPress and is free to everyone. If you are using WordPress, be sure to take advantage of some free extensions that are available for you to download, including ones that help with the SEO of your site. These plug-ins are designed to do most of the in-depth work for you. They help optimize each post by allowing you to enter in the post title, keywords and a description of each page.

Relevancy of your content mixed with the importance of keywords will continue to play a huge role in your online marketing. Following these quick and easy on-page SEO tips will prove to make a difference with your website’s rankings.

About The Author:

Josh Olswanger is a web designer and owner of Thrive Web Designs, a Boise web design company who offers custom website design services, content creation and SEO for their nationwide clients.

What? More money? Do tell, right?

Some magazines also offer partial (or full) articles on the web as well as in their print version. And some of them will pay more for it. This is one example of how you can slant things in your favor and make some extra cash when writing for print. I had one mag pay me extra to run a shortened version of a piece I wrote–and more money for the photos too. It wasn’t a lot, but it all adds up…

If a magazine wants to use your work on the web in addition to the printed publication–but they don’t want to pay extra–what should you do? You could say no–provided the contract doesn’t include that as part of the deal. Or…you might want to consider asking for a byline that has a link to your website (you do have a website, right?) as a substitute for actual cash. Or have them run your bio if they don’t want to do a link. That way at least you get something out of it.

Another way to get more mileage out of your print writing is to re-slant an article and sell it to an online publication. That way you do the research once and get paid twice. I’m here to tell you that it feels good. Naturally, this works the other way around as well. Just look up similar magazines on the web and change the focus of the piece so you aren’t doing the same exact thing–unless you are selling a re-print. If that is the case, just make sure you have the right to do so. (Rights should be a part of your contract.)

You can also save yourself some money by using the web to get ideas for articles. Instead of driving to the bookstore and buying magazines to flip through, browse online publications and get a feel for what topics are hot right now. It saves you gas money as well as time and the cost of the magazines.

One caution–if you are going to pitch a particular print pub, be sure you have actually looked at it before. There’s no substitute for that step, because each publication has their own particular voice and style. But for getting ideas and narrowing your focus, the web is perfect.

Over time I’ve come to realize that the online magazine market isn’t the enemy. Although print writing is by far my favorite, I’m all about making some extra dough–and the web provides an additional outlet for my writing skills. There is no reason you can’t do both.

So the next time you are going to send out some queries, try thinking things through in a way that will maximize your income. This means not counting the web out as a possibility. Don’t worry, I’m still old-school, but I’m not going to recommend that you ignore the chance to make additional dollars just so you can say you’re a print writer.

If the opportunity is there…why not take it?

Do you have any suggestions for other writers in terms of how to combine print and web writing? Something that has worked well for you? If so, please do share!

After some reflection I realized what it was.

When I write for the web, much of my focus is on clarity and readability. I try to keep sentences and paragraphs on the shorter side, and I feel pressured to get my point across quickly. I don’t really think people read on the web–and studies actually bear that out. Instead of kicking back to get involved with an article on the web, most people scan it quickly and then move on to the next thing. If they finish it at all.

I must admit, that is how I read on the web. Generally I’m looking for information, and even if I come across something that is more of an “enjoyable” read, I give it a quick once-over and then go on to another page. Don’t get me wrong–I love the web–but it just isn’t where I read for pleasure. Even devices such as the Kindle and the Nook point to the fact that people aren’t excited about spending a lot of time lugging their computer around to read.

Not so with print. I’ll again use myself as an example. When I pick up a magazine, it is usually when I have some free time to devote to reading. I sit back, leisurely flip through the pages and search for an article I want to read. When I find something, I read it thoroughly; immersing myself in the experience of the writer, or in the information they convey. If interrupted, I’ll fold the page over so I can return later and finish it. I rarely bookmark a page on the web to come back  and read the article.

There is also something to be said for the layout. Even though photos are used on the web, there is just something about the way a print publication can position them to highlight the content that I enjoy more.

So when it comes down to it, I believe that print publications allow the writer a better opportunity to truly communicate with the reader. I think they are more likely to spend the time on your piece–really “listening” to what you have to say, rather than skimming it. And I personally enjoy writing with that level of detail. This is why I still do it.

I write for many different clients–and a lot of them are on the web. But some of my most cherished assignments are lifestyle pieces for print publications. Please do ask me to write about the arts scene in my hometown or author an article about a trip I recently took. I’ll spend hours and hours thinking about it and then enjoy every moment of creating the piece. I always feel like I’m speaking directly to the reader when I write for print.

When I write for the web, I generally strive to be direct, helpful and informative (naturally, depending on what the piece calls for). I want to convey information to the reader and provide them with good links to solid resources. I tend to feel a bit more pressured when writing this way–and formatting is always hovering in the background as well. Keep it short. Keep it clean. I understand it, and even agree with it, but I just don’t like writing that way as much.

That’s why no matter how great the jobs are, or how much the pay is, given the choice I’ll write for a magazine every time. I love the web, but when it comes right down to it, I’d rather sit back with a cup of coffee and read a long, in-depth article about someone’s trip to Hong Kong in a travel magazine–and all the pictures that go with it.

And if I decide to book myself a trip to see the sights there–I’ll scout out the hotels and get the tickets online!

When you write for an online publication it is fairly typical to never meet the person you are working with. Most contact is established via e-mail and subsequent information/instructions usually follow in the same manner. With print, this is not necessarily the case–especially if you start local as so many print writers do.

Getting clips usually means working for smaller publications in the beginning–such as newspapers, local magazines and possibly even writing PR or marketing collateral for area businesses. While this may not mean you meet the editor in person, they are often close by–giving you an opportunity to reach out and sit down with them face-to-face. Whenever you are able to do this; do it.

In the greater publishing world, editors bounce from one magazine to another with astonishing speed. You can get an article accepted by a newsstand publication and not have the same editor by the time you are done writing the piece. Sometimes you may even get a query accepted, only to find out that the new editor has decided they don’t want to publish it after all. It’s tough to keep up!

Local publications tend to retain their personnel a bit better. Sometimes the editor at a local magazine is also the publisher or owner. Those who work at a newspaper may leave to go to another, but not at the pace of people who work for larger magazines. It can be well worth your time to cultivate these relationships a bit so that you become the “go to” gal or guy.

Now this doesn’t mean you have to take the editor out for a fancy lunch, but I would encourage you to try for a cup of coffee. Don’t just drop by their office with a last-minute invite either–feel them out about their schedule and see if they have interest before going for “the ask”. Keep it casual and close to where they work if at all possible, and by all means, pick up the check. After all, if the time spent results in regular work, it will be well worth it.

Here are a few solid ways to build a relationship with a local editor without being too pushy–and yes, I’ve done them all:

• Send a quick e-mail every month or two just saying hello and reminding the editor you are available for assignments. Include a little banter, such as asking them how they are doing and commenting on the weather. In other words, be polite–don’t just ask for work.
• Remember them during the holidays and on or around their birthday if you know when it is. If you don’t know their birthday, put that on your “to do” list.
• Send a brief note regarding something you wrote for the publication. For example, “I picked up the latest issue of My Local Magazine and was really pleased with the way my article on local shopping looked. Thanks so much for giving me the opportunity to write it for you.” Keep it simple and sincere.
• Send pitches on a regular basis so that your name stays fresh in the editor’s mind.

Do you have any tips for establishing or maintaining a good relationship with the editors at your local publications? Feel free to share!

Today we’re going to talk about setting some goals that relate directly to a career in writing for print. Starting the NY off right can set the tone for the entire year, so it pays off to do a little “leg work” on the front end of things. Here are five great goals to pencil into January that will help you get set up:

1. Re-tool your resume(s).

Freshen up all of your resumes and include any print writing credits you haven’t yet added from last year. In print writing, staying current is important. Most editors will ask you for recent samples, so be sure you have them handy to send out. This also means checking in on your LinkedIn content, Facebook presence and any other online “resume-type” sites you belong to so that you can update them.

2. Reach out to editors.

This time of year most editors are just settling back into their routine, so it can be a good time to touch base. Shoot a quick e-mail to those you have already worked with and wish them a wonderful New Year. Then let them know you are available for assignments. You can also contact editors at publications you would like to write for–this works especially well for trade magazines.

3. Brainstorm and start a “tickler” file for the year.

A “tickler” file is a big list of possible article topics that you can flush out when you have the chance–or check for ideas when you are thinking about queries. Brainstorm a big list of ideas and keep them in one spot for times when you need some creative inspiration. Add to it as the year goes–when you have an idea, just pop it in there for future reference. It’s a very helpful tool!

4. Set a few goals and order subscriptions.

Choose a few publications you would like to land an assignment in for 2012 and order a subscription to them. Begin to get a feel for what types of articles they run, what their unique “voice” is like and what you might be able to contribute. Reading a publication on a regular basis is one of the best ways to get ready to pitch a query. You won’t duplicate what they’ve already run, and you will come across as having a thorough understanding of the magazine. Believe me when I tell you–editors really love that.

5. Set up your system for keeping track of queries.

No time like the NY to do this, and it really is necessary. Web writing typically does not have the kind of lead time that print writing does. You can send a query and the follow-up time can be as long as a whole year. If you have something that is already working for you…great! If not, think about what might help you stay on top of this organizational challenge and set it up. Outlook has a calendar feature that might work for some people, smartphones do as well. I use a big desk calendar so I can see the whole month at one time. It doesn’t really matter what you do, but having a plan is crucial.

Do you have any suggestions for print writers who are going into the New Year? Drop a comment below!

On a personal note–I really believe in taking the time in January to do some extra legwork and log the long hours. Getting things off to a good start has been one of the keys to my success as a print writer. I can’t emphasize enough how important I think it is to swing into the NY strong. And I wish you all the very best!

That said, you can use that time to get your foot in the door if you are smart.

This time of year editors tend to work ahead or put things off until there is more time. Queries move to the bottom of the “important” list, and your chances are not great in terms of getting attention for your brilliant writing ideas. So what’s a poor writer to do?

Introduce yourself.

I use the holiday season as a marketing period. Instead of trying to sell articles, I work on selling myself. Here’s how:

• Update all of your online pages. Freshen up your website. Check out the bio on your blog and make sure it’s current. Add to your LinkedIn profile. Go into the next year with all your info up-to-date and fresh.
• Send out holiday cards. This is a great way to maintain relationships with editors, other writers and those in related industries. They don’t have to be fancy, but take a little time to write a note inside and be sure to get them out early.
• Do a letter of introduction. This can be especially fruitful when it comes to trade magazines. If you are qualified to write for one, whip up a letter or e-mail that gives the editor a quick peek at your skills and credentials. Keep it brief, and let them know you are interested in being considered for work at their publication in the coming year. Be sure to include all your contact information.
• Be active on the web. This time of year is a good one to join writing forums, make comments on blogs and generally get your name out there a bit more. Visible is always a good thing, and since it’s hard to find time during the regular year to squeeze this sort of thing in, now’s a good time. And if you aren’t on Twitter yet–jump right on that bandwagon.
• Be a scout. You may not want to send out queries now, but you can do some research on publications and see which ones you are interested in approaching in 2012. It’s the perfect time to leaf through magazines, get a feel for the style and voice of different publications and choose the ones you want to target when things pick up.

The holiday season doesn’t have to result in a big slump. Use it to jump-start the next year in terms of business so you are ready to hit the ground running. And don’t forget to enjoy yourself a bit too!

Any tips for using this time wisely from those who have been around the block? Leave them below!

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Glossies and trade mags are all well and good, but there are other things you can do if you want to get published in the print industry. Here is a list of some of them to help inspire you:

Greeting Cards

Got a knack for delivering a message? You may want to try your luck at greeting cards. Although this won’t line your pockets with the big bucks, it can be a great way to make some extra dough. Birthday cards are always in demand, but there are also markets for holiday cards, anniversary cards and others. Why not try it out? Brainstorm some ideas and jot them down to smooth out and work through. It can be a fun change of pace.

Calendars

Some calendars have text instead of photos–or in addition to them. Again, this may not make your car payment, but it can round out your monthly bottom line.

Newsletters

Some businesses hire professional writers to author a newsletter for one reason or another. Sometimes it is an in-house deal, while other times it is more promotional.

Brochures

Marketing copy is another area you may want to consider. Brochures, press kits and other “collateral” as it is referred to in the industry is always in demand.

Custom Publications

Not quite a trade mag, custom publications are usually those written by a particular organization. Sometimes they are produced by the group itself, but they are just as often outsourced to a custom publisher to handle. Prove yourself here and you could make some nice money.

So how do you get into this stuff? Per usual, Google is your best friend here. Google “writers guidelines, greeting cards” or a similar phrase and dig in. It really is that easy–and that difficult. You’ll find you have to really target your pitch and make sure you position yourself properly to get a response. But if you do–you can really find yourself in a nice spot. These markets are generally not as competitive as the magazine industry, precisely because:

A. People don’t think to try them, and

B. They aren’t as prestigious

I have actually done all of the above in my career and have found some really rewarding jobs in the process. And made some pretty good money too.

A few last words on the topic…

For newsletters and marketing materials, you’ll have to work a little harder than just using Google. Think local. See what companies and marketing/pr pros you have in your area and either call or drop an e-mail. (I’d actually suggest doing both.) Make sure you have a solid pitch ready, and some work to show them should they ask.

Has anyone else out there made some money in one of these arenas? I’d love to hear about it!