I’m posting this on behalf of all the bloggers who write their hearts out every day, week, and month and have to take time to deal with spam guest blogger requests. We’re sick of them! — LDJ
I’d rather be writing about Bermuda
It happens all the time. You start a blog and diligently write every day or so. Then it’s once a week. Then once a month. Then, it’s whenever you damn well feel like it because, well, life gets in the way. Billable work must be done. The garbage needs taking out. You have to get to the gym (you try, anyway). Meals must be cooked and bills must be paid. Unless your livelihood depends on your blog, it’s all too easy to let it slip away.
Believe me, I’d much rather be telling you stories about getting lost in Genoa on my trip to the Ligurian Coast or how I would not recommend beginning a trip to the U.K. by taking a radical wrong turn straightaway out of Heathrow. But reality must take precedence.
So it is with a heavy heart that I open my e-mails each day awaiting the latest crop of “I want to write a guest post for you” messages. Many of them use the exact same language; obviously, these are form letters or computer-generated pitches. The English teacher in me screams silently as I read them. Herewith, some actual pitches:
- I am XXXX from XXXX and I am interested to write a guest post in your site. I can write on topics about anything that has to do with cruises, trips, travels, vacations or if you have some particular subject lines that you have been thinking about that I could help you with please feel free to suggest.
- I wanted to reach out to you as we have a client who is trying to get as much interest and coverage in their online mentions as possible. We would be really happy if you would agree to mention or write about their recent press coverage and would be willing to work with you to understand how we can achieve that.
- I am XXX, a traveler. I have been following your blog since long and found it informative. I can say without hesitation that you have done remarkable work and put a great content on your blog…I assure you to provide informative, relevant and unique content which will adhere to your guest blogging guidelines and would entice more readers to your blog. Please let me know if you are interested for the same.
- We would like to collaborate with you! I’m interested in the price for a blog post with one link in it! Could you please give me the general rates of advertising on your blog http://www.travelthewriteway.com/ ? Thank you. I hope to hear from you soon!:)
Now, don’t get me wrong: I love guest blog posts! For one thing, it’s always good to get a little break from writing as well as a fresh perspective. But I like very much to have control over what kind of content I foist upon my readers. I have slipped in the past, in one or two instances (I was a newbie) and for that I apologize. I’m trying to keep things uber-professional now. So to all the would-be guest bloggers out there, here’s the deal:
- Most of my guests bloggers are approached by me directly — they have something of interest that I want to share with my readers. It is unlikely that I will accept unsolicited pitches, but since I can’t stop you, keep reading.
- I do not accept money for guest posts and I don’t want to promote your company’s latest marketing scheme.
- Likewise, as of right now, I do not accept advertising (except, as you can see to the right, for my own book. Please buy it.).
- You must be able to write in good English and make a compelling, specific pitch about what you can offer to my readers based on the kinds of things that you know I write about. In other words, be a real writer and do some homework.
- Of course I’ll put a link to you or your company in the story. That’s called social networking. But you’d better be legitimate and bring a unique story or point of view or your piece will not appear here.
- Computer-generated pitches will henceforth be trashed.
I hate to do this, because I know how difficult it is to get started in this business. But standards must be maintained. That’s my rant for this Friday. I’ll be back next week with some actual travel writing. Enjoy the weekend!
Buon viaggio!
Linda Dini Jenkins is a card-carrying Italophile, travel planner, freelance writer, and amateur photographer. Travel is her passion, so writing about her travels just comes naturally. She hopes all her travelers find a way to express their joys, surprises, and fears as they travel and gives every traveler a nifty journal to help smooth the way. Learn more…
