What’s on the iPod: That Smell by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Who says music can’t inspire a blog post? I heard this song as I was about to put some thoughts down. It reminded me that I’ve seen some pretty smelly stuff lately. But more on that later.
Yesterday was fruitful. I may have salvaged my weekend by working pedal-to-the-metal, full tilt for four days. Today I have one interview, possibly two (or three if a contact gets back to me), and two small articles to finish before starting in on the larger one, which is already mapped out in my head and partially mapped out on paper. There will be two more interviews next week, but the bulk of the work is done. Dare I dream about relaxing?
I’m finally catching up with the emails that came in over vacation. In the pile were a few from strangers, but what was unusual were the requests from these strangers for me to help them. Why would I help a stranger, you ask? Great question – why would I? More to the point, why should I when these strangers are making requests out of the blue and usually to the tune of my changing my entire blogging (or working) process just to accommodate them?
Here’s some of the stench that hit the in box:
Dear Ma’am, help me write my book. Respectful to use Ma’am? Maybe, but why not use my name? Or tell me who you are? Because this one wanted me to tell her “beautiful story” but couldn’t be bothered to include a name, I think I’ll pass. You may indeed have a legitimate need, but I have instincts I must listen to. Those instincts are saying to delete the message and move on.
We want to form a relationship with you. There were plenty of things wrong with this request. Again, I have a name. It’s clearly displayed at the top of every page on my website. And this person contacted me about this blog through my website, so he had to search to figure out where to reach me.
Second was the request – “Our goal is to provide high quality content that can naturally attract traffic and links. This way we both win!”
Not sure how I’d win exactly, given that I have no idea if this person has the ability to attract anything but skepticism. And “naturally” doesn’t compute if you need to contact people blindly. You’re not convincing me.
Worst of all was this line: “Our writers can construct a carefully researched guest article for your site.” No freaking way. This one doesn’t read this blog or he’d know how vehemently opposed I am to underpaid writers doing “keyword” work for putzes who keep the bulk of any profit they make.
Lastly, the site he was promoting was an online education site. Not exactly a fit, is it?
I think the second email is the more troubling for me, and should be one we try to avoid in general. Anyone who owns a blog gets these “offers” to help with guest posts. Here’s the thing about guest posts:
1. You should not ask to guest post with one exception: it’s a friend and you’re hoping to promote your project or help out someone in need.
2. If you don’t know the person who owns the blog, you shouldn’t be trying to get face time somewhere you’ve not been before.
Once I let a guest post through that was from someone I didn’t know. It turned out okay, but I’d not repeat it. The post was fine, but didn’t really address the things writers need to know. The writer did manage to keep hyperlinks out of the mix, amen, or it would have died before it made it to the site.
What kinds of requests are you seeing in email these days?
I guess there's one good thing about not having a blog for helping freelance writers, I get missed on emails begging for donations in the Help your fellow writer campaign. 😉
My email is swamped (like all of ours) with requests for guest posts. I have pretty much come to the conclusion that if I don't know you, I'm not going to accept a guest post. And when you think about it, knowing you is as easy as visiting my blog, participating in the discussion or hanging out in social media.
It's too bad the spammers or self-centered bloggers spoil it for newbies who are just trying to be heard, but at least it ends up being a good lesson in networking.
Cathy, exactly! Visit a few times, leave a comment, look like you CARE and hey, you're now known! When they can't be bothered, I can't be, either.
That's the same mistake I made, once, early on, and it won't happen again.
I'm surprised at the level of persistence that some of these folks show–some have contacted me 3 or 4 times to follow up. I hate being rude, but I just don't even want to respond. As you point out: No personal connection whatsoever.
Happy Friday, all!
I actually asked a few fellow bloggers what to do when they get persistent people who want to provide guest posts. I was advised to say that I don't accept guest posts, but if they are interested in purchasing a sponsorship on my (non-business) blog, I would be happy to send along rates. Turns out they really don't want to do that and will stop responding. 🙂
Like Cathy, my blog isn't about helping writers, so I'm so far safe from the kinds in e-mails she mentioned above.
Try looking at it from another POV: being flooded with those types of approaches is a sign of a successful blog.
Yes, I aspire to one day receive my first unknown person asking to be a guest blogger. (Since my theme is centered on creativity, they'd have to get really creative to get my attention.)
I pitch to guest post sometimes, but only if I've researched the blog and know it's along the same lines as what I do. There's a whole circuit of blogs where one guest posts when a new book comes out. But I don't hit up just any old blog that has nothing to do with what I do.
I get a lot of "I read your blog and would like to offer my services as a guest poster on the topic of (nothing that has anything to do with my blog)." And, of course, no salutation.
I say no, and that they should look at blogs specific to the topic and/or try to sell the piece as an article to a publication.