Networking Etiquette: How (not) to ask for a guest spot
I don't post too many writing/publishing/marketing articles on this blog anymore. There are enough people today giving free advice, but yesterday pushed me over the edge. I've got to say something about networking and self-promotion.
A week doesn't go by that I don't get emails from strangers asking for a spot on my blog, links, promo, and one poor confused soul who wanted me to publish his book.
Really? Publish your book? He even spoke (illustriously) about himself in the third person. Now I understand why agents reject badly written queries. I can't imagine getting hundreds of queries like this one.
For me, the worst offenders are people who keep asking for guest spots, even after I refuse. It boggles my mind how many people assume that I should be happy to host them--total strangers who don't comment on my blog, know what my blog is about, or even write me a proper email introducing themselves.
Lately, the last few emails have been verging on belligerent, insisting that I need them.
Um...no, I don't. If you can't offer me a post that's useful or entertaining to my readers, I don't need you. If someone sounds insincere in a private email, how are they going to come across to my readers in a blog post? You guys are my first concern. I owe you a good post in return for your time.
This isn't a promo circus. I don't host anyone unless I'm assured quality work. This is where the networking part comes in. I know who can deliver the goods because I've been in this playground for a while.
Likewise when I write a guest post for someone else. I never pimp. Never. Those of you who've been with me for a while and have followed me to guest posts know that I always offer something of value, whether it's an insider's look at cover design, or insights into some facet of writing or publishing.
Even when I do something self-serving like an interview, they're not your run-of-the-mill interviews. I always add entertainment value to them so you don't stab your eyes out with a fork. Good eyesight is a gift, after all.
When I ask for a guest spot or review I always:
1. Research the site I'm interested in so that I can at least look well-informed.
2. Offer something of value in return, usually information, entertainment or potential new followers to their blogs.
If you ask for a favor, be it a cover reveal, guest spot, interview, or review, do your homework. Read that person's blog to see if you're a good fit. Write a good query letter--especially if you don't know that blogger. Introduce yourself like a civilized person and be sure there are links to your blog/web site in your email signature.
Case in point. I got an email from someone who claimed to have written a lot of content for other blogs, yet he neither provided proof or even a link to his own web site. Why should I believe him, right?
I shouldn't be so ranty on a Monday, but last week was a conveyor belt of ill-mannered emails. So this is more of a PSA for anyone thinking of asking for favors from strangers. Be nice. Ask politely. And write an excellent post.
***
Last week wasn't a total wash. I did get one very nice email from a popular book reviewer. Not only did she review Mistress of the Stone--(I asked her not to post it until after the print release in July)--but she wrote me a personal note telling me how awesome it was.
How great is that?! I don't know what her review says about the book, but I was awfully touched that she took the time to write me a note. That went above and beyond.
***
I know some of you have popular blogs. Do you get a lot of requests for guest spots or cover reveals? How do you handle the people you don't know?
Friends are easy. It's the people who just show up at my doorstep that make me scratch my head.
How do you ask for a guest spot/review from someone you don't know?
The Name the Goat contest is still going on for another week. Enter as many times or as many names as you'd like. I've been bowled over by the suggestions. This is going to be harder than I expected. Greg will make the final decision next week.
A week doesn't go by that I don't get emails from strangers asking for a spot on my blog, links, promo, and one poor confused soul who wanted me to publish his book.
Really? Publish your book? He even spoke (illustriously) about himself in the third person. Now I understand why agents reject badly written queries. I can't imagine getting hundreds of queries like this one.
For me, the worst offenders are people who keep asking for guest spots, even after I refuse. It boggles my mind how many people assume that I should be happy to host them--total strangers who don't comment on my blog, know what my blog is about, or even write me a proper email introducing themselves.
Lately, the last few emails have been verging on belligerent, insisting that I need them.
Um...no, I don't. If you can't offer me a post that's useful or entertaining to my readers, I don't need you. If someone sounds insincere in a private email, how are they going to come across to my readers in a blog post? You guys are my first concern. I owe you a good post in return for your time.
This isn't a promo circus. I don't host anyone unless I'm assured quality work. This is where the networking part comes in. I know who can deliver the goods because I've been in this playground for a while.
Likewise when I write a guest post for someone else. I never pimp. Never. Those of you who've been with me for a while and have followed me to guest posts know that I always offer something of value, whether it's an insider's look at cover design, or insights into some facet of writing or publishing.
Even when I do something self-serving like an interview, they're not your run-of-the-mill interviews. I always add entertainment value to them so you don't stab your eyes out with a fork. Good eyesight is a gift, after all.
When I ask for a guest spot or review I always:
1. Research the site I'm interested in so that I can at least look well-informed.
2. Offer something of value in return, usually information, entertainment or potential new followers to their blogs.
If you ask for a favor, be it a cover reveal, guest spot, interview, or review, do your homework. Read that person's blog to see if you're a good fit. Write a good query letter--especially if you don't know that blogger. Introduce yourself like a civilized person and be sure there are links to your blog/web site in your email signature.
Case in point. I got an email from someone who claimed to have written a lot of content for other blogs, yet he neither provided proof or even a link to his own web site. Why should I believe him, right?
I shouldn't be so ranty on a Monday, but last week was a conveyor belt of ill-mannered emails. So this is more of a PSA for anyone thinking of asking for favors from strangers. Be nice. Ask politely. And write an excellent post.
***
Last week wasn't a total wash. I did get one very nice email from a popular book reviewer. Not only did she review Mistress of the Stone--(I asked her not to post it until after the print release in July)--but she wrote me a personal note telling me how awesome it was.
How great is that?! I don't know what her review says about the book, but I was awfully touched that she took the time to write me a note. That went above and beyond.
***
I know some of you have popular blogs. Do you get a lot of requests for guest spots or cover reveals? How do you handle the people you don't know?
Friends are easy. It's the people who just show up at my doorstep that make me scratch my head.
How do you ask for a guest spot/review from someone you don't know?
***
The Name the Goat contest is still going on for another week. Enter as many times or as many names as you'd like. I've been bowled over by the suggestions. This is going to be harder than I expected. Greg will make the final decision next week.
Comments
As a point in fact, when Gwen and I did our blog tour last year, we made sure to visit each blog before writing up posts so we could form content fit for their readers. It took time, but it made it better to provide something that particular blog's readers could enjoy.
And no, I don't think sending some braggy e-mail to a stranger is a good idea for asking for guest posts.
SMH -_-
Now bloggy friends or people I know... as long as the book isn't erotica or 50 Shades type stuff, I will never turn anyone away. :)
Hey, congrats on the Mistress of Stone review!!
And I'm not opposed to posts from "not-friends-yet" people, but they gotta throw me a bone first. At least visit the blog and leave a few comments so I know they're not trolls.
This is it.
Don't push my buttons or I'll sic the goats on you. :o)
Oh well.
I would think if you were to guest on someone else's blog, you'd want that person to KNOW you or your work! Otherwise, why bother?
And hey, rant away. We all deserve one.
This has been useful, because the two who have emailed me were very familiar with my content and offered great articles. For that reason, I post link backs to their sites and add their covers and/or photos at the end of their guest post. I also provide links to their articles on my contact form for future guest posters to see how I would promote their work as well.
When people check out your guest articles and formats, they'll hopefully attempt to follow the same etiquette.
I'm with you. There's no room for rude self-promoters. I like to promote an entire community, not just another rude person.
I don't want to be rude, but sometimes my buttons get pushed.
Maybe they like the comment stream. If so, they need to join in rather than lurk. For me, there's no better way to promote yourself than to comment often and widely among diverse blogs.
I have had a few people ask me to read and comment on their work. I politely say no; that I'm too busy (which I am), but I wonder if those are spammed out.
I do favors for friends all the time, but friendship comes with a responsibility and an obligation.
Friends respect each other's time and are always glad to reciprocate when they can.
You can't say the same for the drive-bys looking for a quick promo stop.
I have a specific guest feature on my blog called "Encouraging Words from ________". So far, they've all been by invitation. BTW, consider yourself invited, Maria, any time! Once you're on, you'll be tweeted every few days forever.
Except for blog tours, I think I've only ever asked three good friends to post something, and they've been happy to. All the posts, my blog and guests, are substantive and not primarily advertising. To me, that's key to longevity and stickiness.
Hugs for you and the still-nameless goats, (Panela and Oaxaca!)
Carole
Unlike you and many others though I am not gracious enough to respond in the negative to such emails, just delete them as soon as read them because they obviously do not pay attention to the fact I offer no advertising space on my blog, do not do guest posts unless they are to promote an author's work who is part of a book tour that I participate in or a private author who has contacted me in one form or another to help promo their work.
You are very correct with these simple comments Friends respect each other's time and are always glad to reciprocate when they can.
You can't say the same for the drive-bys looking for a quick promo stop.
You hit on something that's important too. The reason you want a post that's informational/entertaining/enlightening is for stickiness sake. I can't count how many times people come to my blog not just for my articles but for the other guest articles that have appeared.
They show up on Google searches--and that brings them here. A good keyword-rich post is gold.
Me, vindictive? :)
I've never asked anyone could I be a guest on their blog.
I've been approached to be a guest though, on other blogs. If I like the blog/books they write I occasionally accept.
I was approached by someone published with the same e press publisher as I am. She wanted to be a guest on my blog. I thought, well why not. It was a nightmare. This particular person didn't even know how to comment on my blog, or any other blog for that matter Urgh. And that was the beginning of something I'll never repeat. lol.
Hit delete. Time is valuable.
But once I had someone very blog-savvy and she just ignored the people who left her comments. She'll never be welcomed again.
Rant all you like, I'll not judge you for that, in fact, I like it when you get a bit sassy with folks - show 'em who the boss is, after all it is your blog, your standards and your reputation.
looking forward to finding out the names for those adorable goats :)