Let me warn you in advance, there's a bit of a rant coming – all of the points I make below are actual things that I've experienced and observed while blogging. Sometimes a girl's gotta vent! 🙂
The other day I got an approach from someone asking me to publish a guest post on their site. I also get a lot of approaches for the posts I write for my clients through sites like MyBlogU. Now as you know, I'm pretty much a blog-a-holic. I love blogging and guest posting and I love writing about all kinds of things, but I turned this blog owner down. Why did I do that? Here are six warning flags for me when I visit a blog.
1. Default Pages – No Blogging
If I go to your site and you still have the default WordPress about page, then you obviously don't care enough about your site to change it, and if you don't, why should I? It's not so difficult to open the editor, change the name or add your text so that your site says something about you and it says something to visitors about your attitude to blogging. Â (Want to see a great about page – check out Ileane's-!)
2. No Comment, No Blogging 
I don't mind guest posting on new blogs that don't have a lot of comments. I've been there – and still am with some of my newer web properties. What I DO mind is when comments are disabled on every post. What's the matter – don't you want to talk to other bloggers? I do. Half the fun of blogging is finding out what other people think or have experienced about the topic you're discussing. Disabled comments means no conversation, so I'll go elsewhere.
3. Linky Linky
First impressions count for a lot. If I go to your blog and it looks like a link farm, then I'm immediately repulsed. I don't mind you having a few money making links on your site – I have some on mine and I'm not a hypocrite, but they shouldn't overwhelm the content. If all I see is links and I can't find the posts then, sorry, no blogging from me – I won't be placing a guest post there.
4. Blog Neglect
Just as bad is a blog where nothing is happening. If you haven't bothered to put any content on your own blog, then why should I? A blog where the design is half baked (I'm not worried about a default theme, just about unfinished changes), where there have only been 3 posts in the last six months and where there has been no update in the past couple of weeks sends the signal that you don't care and I say again, if you don't, why should I?
5. Wrong Niche
I don't just put guest posts anywhere. I think they work best when they are in right niche for the post content. So no matter how many times you tell me your blog will go out to your insanely inflated newsletter subscriber numbers, I still won't let you put my post about environmental issues on your one-size-fits-all blog. Just. Won't. Do. It. So stop asking me.
6. Â Stolen Content
I hate plagiarism, so if I look on your blog and see an article that I KNOW was written by someone else, that's enough reason for me to never talk to you again. I read a lot of blogs and although my memory isn't what it used to be, the articles that are worth stealing seem to be the most memorable ones. If something flags my BS-ometer, I'll Google it and Copyscape it and if it's not yours and not properly credited, I'm out of there. No guest blogging from me.
Oh, and in case you're wondering, I use the same criteria to check out potential guest posters for my site, too. 🙂
Luckily, most of the places where I guest post have quality posts and I'm happy to be associated with them. What raises red flags for you when you're considering writing or accepting a guest post.
nice points you have mentioned here. the mostly liked be me is , no comments no blogging, I too think the same. without comments blogging becomes monotonous. Thanks for the tips.
I’ve been put off even reading some blogs which have comments disabled, Eric, because the author obviously doesn’t want to engage with the people reading the posts.
Yes we need to engage with our readers to brand our blog.
Most of the time people won’t comment on your blog unless they feel they get something in return
I like your points and I can agree with all of them, though I don’t personally guest posts anywhere myself. I accept them on my blog, though. It is sad to see how many blogs are abandoned, but I think people might not always be aware of how much work it can take.
Running a blog is a major commitment, Klaus, and lots of people can’t hack it after a while. Then there are the rest of us, who can’t seem to stop blogging … 😀
I hate to see abandoned blogs also. Especially relatively successful blogs. I’ve always wondered why they didn’t do a farewell post.
Great tips Sharon,
I’ve actually been put off MyGuestBlog for the exact reason that I found out the content of a post which looked really good had been ‘scraped’. We now protect the content on our own site and only take Guest Articles from the very best people we know or reputed sources (we have very few but they are high quality articles) – though the content will build more slowly this way, hopefully in time it will pay off.
Your headline grabbed me for that very reason – great post,
take care,
Alan
Since I’m paranoid, Alan, I Copyscape posts submitted to me by people I don’t already know and trust. It helps to avoid any errors. 🙂
Good idea!
take care & best wishes,
Alan
That is always my fear. Being plagiarized. Had a buddy go through that not too long ago and it was a nightmare.
Hey Sharon,
I can’t agree more on the 6 points you mentioned. If a person only has 3 posts up in 6 months, obviously he doesn’t care about blogging. These tips are just straight forward and fair before we commit our time to guest blog.
Cheers,
Ming
Ming, I think it’s a mutual commitment. I love blogging, but I also like to get something back and I only know I will if the blog owner shows an obvious commitment to its success.
Good content that’s the clue. Nobody will visit you if you haven’t got anything interesting to offer…
Sharon, Nice points you mentioned, I will definitely not going to write for any blog that i don’t feel comfortable with their design and contents.
and when i actually write a guest post I write because I need to give something back to the owner like what i do on famousbloggers.net as hesham always help me and i found guest posting on his blog the best way to give something in return!!
second because i want to attract readers and new visitors to my blog, and guest posting is a great way to do that.
so it is a win win.. Thanks for the post, love it.
A win-win is right, Faissal – that’s what it should be. When a blog owner is willing to promote my posts, I’ll promote them too. When the blog owner is willing to link out freely, then that makes for a better blogging environment. I really love Gail Gardner’s policy on linking out over on Growmap.
Thanks for your observation tips as they are true. I personally think that the owner of the blog shoould ask for guest posts when he or she is sure that the blog is worth it. I think it is shameful to show your blog to specialists when it is not worth yet.
Well, I can understand asking for guest posts, but you have to do a lot more work to present a new blog in its best light, Anna.
I was waiting for the rant… and all I got was a bang-spot-on article!
My biggest pet hate are blogs with info-links installed which are then filled with big-money click baiting keywords. Makes me mad, but then I’m a little unstable
Not ranty enough, Samantha? You should have seen the first version! 😉
The post has a very good approach, the post is for blog owners looking for guest posts. I can see these posts are simply basic blogging tips by a gust blogger.
Since I am a relative newbie to the blogging world (2009), I understand how overwhelming the whole blogosphere can be. But, you’re right, Sharon, about all these points.
The only one I might understand is the No comment if it’s due to a techie problem. I put up a couple of posts shortly after a WordPress upgrade where I had a lot of problems with WP getting all wonky (a technical term) 🙂 Turns out, it removed the check box on the post for allowing Comments. I never would have known if one of my readers hadn’t told me.
One of the great things about bloggers is their willingness to share, but that doesn’t mean riding on someone else’s coattails and never reciprocating.
I agree with Samantha-not a rant-just good ol’ common sense. 🙂
Thanks for that caveat, Cathy. I suppose if the blog seems OK otherwise, it would be worth asking about the comment policy.
Valid points, It clearly shows that blog owners really don’t care about their blog and if they don’t care then why are you caring for it. Taking idea about from a post is good but stealing whole post is bad and Google got Panda kick to punish you.;)
Great points! I totally agree that it’s annoying when you check out a blog and it’s obviously a link farm. It’s fine to have a couple, but at least do it in a way that is tasteful and doesn’t take 90% of the screen. This blog is very tastefully done and clean and simple. Something to strive for! Thanks!
Solid points you “vent” about here Sharon 🙂 And «, I can see why. Suffice to say that these are more than enough reasons to stay away from any site to visit, let alone to leave your “mark” from a guest post. Can’t say that there is anything else to add here, but I sincerely hope that your message goes across, since they are very important issues. Thumbs up!
Thanks, DiTesco, and I agree with you – these things often keep me from visiting and browsing blogs too.
@leslaw @madhav @Corey @Riya – thanks for chipping in. 🙂
I never liked people that steal posts. I have inspired from all kind of posts , but never took the hole post and place it on my blog , this is something really bad , and if you steal today one post , tomorrow you will try to steal something bigger . Stop it today !
Well said, Gabri! 🙂
Great points Sharon,
I like to guest post on niches that are related to my own niche too, that way I’ll be sure that people reading my post are actually interested in it.
Also I wouldn’t feel comfortable writing in niches that aren’t related to my topic, I would feel that my post is intrusive to the readers that visited to read about a certain topic and found my post instead.
Thanks for sharing Sharon. 🙂
Staying on-topic for the target blog is a must, Sayed. I’m different from most because I enjoy writing about a range of things. I still make sure to tailor the posts to each specific audience, though.
Seriously, you should take a look at my blog, and if you like you can contact me through the advertising page, well… sorry for some self-advertising because your guest post title attracted me to read this post and what you had said for the above six reason is not going to occur on my blog, so I presume my blog is safe for you sort to say… and seriously I do not take in any guest poster unless I knew is worth.
Thanks for the offer; I will certainly check out your blog in more detail. 🙂
Good bunch of principles, I love that in a blogger. I also look for similar things when reading some blog for the first time or deciding if I should subscribe or not. I also have look at the community, if its non-existent I’ll probably never visit that blog again.
True, Christian, this list works for a lot of blog-related stuff. Like you, I use it to make subscribing decisions – I may not even get to the content if those issues aren’t addressed.
Cristian, those are your principals to judge a blog, but not everybody thinks the same . How can you know if the community is non-existent ? I really think that you can judge a blog with many other principals and from other point of view.I personally have a blog that’s pretty good, but I don’t have a large community, just a few people that look in to my blog . This the way every good blogs have started their growing.
For me the issue is whether the blogger allows comments, Gabri. All blogs have to start somewhere so having few comments might mean a small, but committed community – nothing wrong with that.
Hey Sharon,
I hope you feel better now after this because I do (since you said what I wanted to say)!
I guess, for me the worst one is the default page. I saw it on a few high PR (I know that doesn’t really mean much, but it still kind of makes you think its a serious blog) and I just couldn’t believe it. I don’t understand how can you have a blog with relatively high PR and with lots of content, but not an about page that is actually about you!
Any way, it was a fun read. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it, Satrap, and I DO feel better. 🙂
Definitely reasonable reasons and probably the last 2 points looks the most logical. However blogging doesn’t starts and ends with WordPress, there are many other platforms and different integrations.
Fair point, Kal, but I’d feel the same about the default page for any blog software.
Ha Sharon really nice post and i think you run your blog on principles 🙂
Between i just visited basicblogtips first time and head to this post directly because of its title.However Sharon just continue your writing, you write very well.Thank you for this post.
First of all, I love the title. And the points you make are so, well, on point. I always look at the consistency in posting and the quality of the posts to determine if I’m going to stick around. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Consistency is also important, Marcie, and quality is even more important. I’d rather visit a blog that has a really good post once a week than one that posts any old thing just to meet some sort of target posting rate.
Well, if there is on comment option, obviously you can’t, but you can vote with your (virtual) feet and leave the blog, Aaron. 🙂
2nd point is very nice sharon.not only 2nd other points also greate.keep it up 🙂
Very interesting point Sharon, I agree with the point that we should engage with our readers. They are the lifeline of the success of our blogs.
You have hit all the points right on the head and I agree that you want to comment on a blog that is worthy. Your comments mean a lot and you don’t want to comment a person’s blog that’s a spammer and just don’t care about their site.
All excellent reasons not to waste your time guest blogging on someone’s site, Sharon. I was stunned you even had to list some of these, though – I was looking for nitpicky little things I might be doing wrong, and these – well you’d THINK they’re obvious, right? It never ceases to amaze me… 😉
You’d think so, wouldn’t you, Holly? I come across these issues many times, though. Just as well there are also plenty of quality blogs out there to balance things out. 🙂
True! You just wouldn’t think they’d make the choices so much easier.
Of course, this is true in publishing, too – you’d think it was akin to winning the lottery, but if more writers realized how much unadulterated garbage gets sent into be published, they’d be a BIT less discouraged.
It always amused me, when I worked as a magazine editor, how many people would compliment writers on their articles. They never realized how much editing had to be done (with the occasional rejection of stuff that just didn’t cut it).
You reminded me of those earlier days when I was despair but did not know how to do things right. I guess it is the plight of every new comer. You did a good job to guide them properly when they have just begin.
I see you are such a good blogger Sharon. These red flags you’ve mentioned, they can really ruin the interest of someone visiting the blog site. Even ordinary blog readers can get turned off. How much more a pro blogger like you.
It may be a rant Sharon, but they are all valid points, specially the default page and link farm looking sites, I try and stay away from those.
Points well take Sharon. To attract top shelf bloggers run a top shelf blog.
Thanks for sharing!
RB
Nice post Sharon!
I am listing and keeping all these awesome tips in my mind when I start guest blogging!! They are such valid points and a great learning experience coming from you.
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks, Harleena. 🙂
One thing I have encountered is people that ask me to guest post, but then send a list of specifications for the post as long as my arm. I understand matching the post to the blog, but some of these people go way over board.
The other thing is people that pitch guest posts for my blog that obviously have not read the blog. I have a gardening blog, so don’t need posts on potty training children. MyBlogGuest has generated a lot of these type of requests for me.
I know exactly what you mean, Stephanie. I’ve had a similar experience – it’s always wise to read the blog before pitching.
Some great ideas here. I do not do a lot of guest blogging myself (I keep meaning to, but can never seem to free the time) but if someone does not take the steps to care about their own blog why should you help them.
Stolen content would be the one that really gets me hot. I can chalk up some of these from someone just not knowing the best ways to really connect. But stolen content is always an unforgivable sin in my book.
Yes, that one really annoys me, too, Steve.
Good post Sharon. When I guest post I definitely am looking for high quality blogs. The bloggers that have given me the opportunity to guest post are so up on their blogs that it is truly an honor to post there. They post consistently, have the latest plug ins, and always have nice themes.
I have the same sentiment for blog commenting. I really hate it when it says comments but you only have the option to submit a comment and unable to read the views of others. And then there are those that they feel they are better than others. I visit this food blog regularly because I like the content. Even though my comments are not generic and truly convey what I felt about the article, my comments never get approved so I kind of hate this site for being snooty. Then you see there is always one person commenting “that is great” on a regular basis but always get approved. Thanks for opening this topic.
Yes, yes, yes to all the things you’ve listed. I’d also add: I won’t be blogging on your site if I can’t quickly find contact info. That sounds like a no-brainer, but I can’t begin to count the number of times I’ve been reading a blog and thought it would be a good place for a guest post, but couldn’t find where to email my proposal. I have no idea why so many bloggers don’t have a contact page with either a form or an email address! (On a related note, a lot of people don’t link to their social media profiles either, which I find really odd.)
Yes, Allison, that’s a good point – if you appear to be hiding from view (either because of no contact form or no social media profiles), that raises red flags too. I don’t think you should have to work hard to find out how to contact a blogger. Even if you don’t publish your email address, how hard is it to put a contact form on the site?
Wow Sharon. We’ve all been there, on both sides of the blogging fence. And it’s important to have standards. Without those standards, blogging will pretty much start falling off the rails. And those standards have to be maintained as a writer getting an invite, as well as the blogger getting submissions. But we all know your standard and reputation is impeccable and that’s why you are where you are today 😉
Thanks, Brian. It’s harder to build a rep than to lose it, so it makes sense to have some standards. 🙂
I have been working with Sharon for quite some time, and now I know why her reputation is SO GOOD and I’m flattered that she’s writing for Authopublisher. She’s a great asset for any blog, be it as a guest or a regular writer.
Thanks, Ivin. That reminds me of another point. I don’t mind posting on new blogs in my chosen niches, but the owner has to be able to tell me what the blog is about and where it’s going; in other words, it must have a clear identity and purpose, as you do with Authopublisher. 🙂
Direct to the point Sharon. Nice topic. Very helpful. I wish every blogger had your passion. This must be the only way to happiness and success, as well. Many thanks!
Everything you have written above is completely true. Most of all I don’t understand sites or blogs with closed comments. What is the reason of it? I will be glad if someone explains me this! I think that articles appear on the Internet to be commented by other people, to be discussed etc. If all of us won’t be interested in commenting, then probably we would read articles on WIkipedia, not commenting them
Of all the things mentioned, the default WordPress about page is indeed the worse. Blog owners should at least find time updating this page.
Plagiarism is a hateful on the internet and it is common. Now a days Google is taking a strict action against plagiarism. Sites having real contents are getting value.
Sharon,
Your standards are great.
I have not done any guest posting or had anyone as a guest poster on my blog but if I were to guest post I would look for the same things you are. I would never have a guest poster if I did not feel my blog was worthy of having one.
I especially agree with having unique content. I had my content stolen once (my entire blog) and I really do not like people who use other peoples content. If you can not write your own content pay to have someone else write it or do not put up content but do not steal it.
Love you list of standards.
Dee Ann Rice
Yikes, your whole blog, DeeAnne? That’s awful! How do you protect against that now?
Ouch! I need a serious weed trimmer for my blog.
Sounds reasonable, totally agree about comments. It’s not really a blog without comment, it’s just a website. I totally don’t get why people blog without comments. I’m always so excited when I get a comment (a non spammy one that is).
Thanks for sharing your insights Navneet, M.Sai, Herbert, Lee, Suresh, John, Jamie, Ryah, Steve, Tim, Donna, Nick, Jeanie, Kevin, Maja, Emory – looks like a lot of you have a similar perspective. 🙂
Yes, these points are absolutely true. While you spend time painting your words, they should serve the purpose. And evaluating the blog with these valid points is good. If we guest blog on a plagiarized blog or on a blog which is not well maintained, all your efforts go waste. In addition, your reputation is on stake.
BTW, you are an awesome writer and I admire your quality of writing.
I enjoyed reading this post since I am new to guest blogging. I can tell you that i agree abut blogs that sell their soul for a link farm. I also think that relevant content is a big thing for me. If your passionate about blogging on health why would there be guest post accepted about topics way off the niche of the blog. I have returned often since i found this site. It is teaching me a lot. Thanks 🙂
I had my content stolen once (my entire blog) and I really do not like people who use other peoples content.
Nice post. My partner and i learn one thing more challenging on different sites everyday. It will always be stimulating to read content from other writers and practice a little something from their site. I’d would prefer to use some while using the content on my blog regardless of whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a link on your own web weblog. Thanks for giving.!!!
Great post about blogging, well most people now want to react, want to give a comment to what you have done on your blog. For me I will not post in your blog if it has negative sides, negative sides that also have negative meaning to all people.
Hi Sharon,
Thank you for hating plagiarism. It’s stealing one’s mental asset. So, I always bear in mind to have etiquette in commenting professional blogs.
There are certainly a lot of details like that to take into consideration. That is a great point to bring up. I offer the thoughts above as general inspiration but clearly there are questions like the one you bring up where the most important thing will be working in honest good faith. I don?t know if best practices have emerged around things like that, but I am sure that your job is clearly identified as a fair game.
Very valid points Sharon! Of course your work reflects you, and so does the blog that your work is displayed on. I agree with your points even though at least one is pointing at me 🙂 However, I am pretty new to blogging and will be learning and improving as time goes by. Who knows, maybe I will be lucky enough to have a blog that you will guest post on in the future~~.
As for Ileane’s about us page, it is well done! It would be very hard for me to top that!
Nice work Sharon!
Never say never, Genie. 🙂
That were really valuable tips, Sharon, thank you. It’s always great to read clever thoughts of a wise professional person, and learn something new.
“Stolen Content” = a really hate this ‘word’.
Number 2 struck a chord with me. In fact, it’s a pet peeve of mine. I’ve seen some major names put up web sites and call them blogs. How can it be a blog when you’ve disabled comments?
Exactly, Clara.