We all have these great goals to grow our sites by either having guest posters or being one (or both), but for one reason or another it doesn’t quite work out the way we plan. 
For example: I did have a guest poster every Thursday and Tuesday on my site, but since I have been out of town so much, I haven’t had time to set anyone up. Today is Thursday and I don’t have a blogger! I also don’t have a soul lined up for any time in the future.
What does that mean? Well, quite simply it means that I need to get busy scheduling some people to share their knowledge with my readers. Before sitting down to start contacting people, I thought it would be a great idea to write up a post letting my readers know what I do to find guest posters.
First, I set up a tentative plan:
- Days posts will be scheduled – exact dates of Tues and Thurs throughout month.
- Days posts will be due – Tues is due the Fri before and Thurs is due the Mon before. This gives me time to read over the post, nag, stalk, pester, remind guest posters if post isn’t in yet, and fix any major errors.
- Theme of month – I don’t always have a theme, but (for example) April will be a Home Office Organization Series and all guest posters should write something that falls in that category.
- List of possible guest post ideas – I make a tentative listing of post topics and ideas I would like people to write about.
Second, I start approaching people:
If I have a list of people that have expressed interest in Guest Posting, then I contact them first with the dates and post ideas to see if they want any. If so, I pencil them into my BusyBodyBook and start a dated folder in my outlook with all our back and forth emails.
Once I have exhausted the above (or if I don’t have any) I start looking in other places… ahh, the key I will share with you. Please note: I don’t do all of these, but I do a random selection of them depending on my mood or need.
List of places I find guests:
- Twitter! I have over 3200 twitter followers, so a quick shout out on there will usually net me a guest poster or two. Or, it gives me a few people to contact next month!
- My Blog! I write a quick post explaining what I am looking for and post it on my blog. I have had a few readers over time respond.
- Nings! You know all those Nings out there: TwitterMoms, BlogHer, Mom Bloggers Club, etc. Sometimes, I just do a quick post there. Again, it typically nets me a few new contacts as well as guest posters.
- Companies! That’s right! That list of company contacts you have for product reviews is a GREAT source for guest posters!
- Blogger Link Up! I have only used this a time or two, but I have gotten pretty good responses from it. Basically, you write a short inquiry and wait for people to respond.
- Pitch Rate! Similar to Blogger Link Up, but this one is more professional. I find a ton of published authors using this one.
With all that said, I have to get busy finding some guest posters for April. Just remember, be sure you know your expectations and line them up for those you contact, so they can know, too!
When I have a guest blogger, there are a few things I ask of them…
- I ask that you do not put your post (in it’s entirety) anywhere else, please. Feel free to post a bit on your blog stating a little about it and send them to my blog to read the full post.
- At the end of your post, please write a few sentences about yourself and include a link back to your blog.
- To include my “I was Featured” button on your blog (found on my sidebar).
- You will email your post 2-3 days before our agreed upon “due date” so that I have time to read over it, correct links, add my note to the top, and get it set up to post.
- I LOVE to include a picture of my guest poster as that makes it more personal.
- I love links within posts! Link to other posts on your site, give credit to another site, or link to sometime on my site!
For those that don’t know, the theory behind Guest Blogging is that it:
- Increases the hosting blogger’s readership because it offers a new take on the same topics
- Increases the Guest Blogger’s readership because the hosting blog’s readers want to know what else you have to say.
Do you have guest posters? Do you use them? How do you go about finding them?
About Kelli
Hi! I am the Chief Juggler at Buttoned Up and I handle the guest bloggers. We did and still do outreach like you mentioned, but suddenly, I have people sending me posts we might be interested in running. Out of the blue, no solicitation. Which is wonderful to fill up my web calendar! I try to run as much as I can – I like the different voices on our site. I don’t require original content and look at our site as another place to get the word out about a topic and offer exposure to a blogger. We also guest blog and would be happy to do a guest spot for you. Since Alicia and Sarah are organizational experts, it would be a cinch for us to give you a post in April! Just let me know if you are interested in us doing a guest spot and if you’d be interested in being a guest on our site! Would be fun – we can cross promote! Let me know! – AMF
.-= Anne Marie Furie´s last blog ..Organizing As A Guest on Passover or Easter =-.
@Anne Marie Furie, Oh my lands!!! I LOVE the Buttoned Up Products and the office supply place by my house no longer carries them. And you have a BLOG??? Love it!
Kelli- as always…. great post!
.-= Crystal & Co´s last blog ..It Works! with a GIVEAWAY! =-.
@Crystal & Co, You like Buttoned Up, huh?
Well, stay tuned! They are participating in my Home Office Organization Series. 
@Anne Marie Furie, I will be in touch!
i love guest posting for other blogs and i have guest posters as well (not many, but have been getting into it more and more. i have a few lined up for next month!)
great tips though!!
.-= Julia´s last blog ..Working Mommy Wednesday: 30 minute recipe =-.
@Julia,
I, too, am a BIG guest fan. I have done some posts for other bloggers, but mostly have had guest posters.
Hey Julia! Thanks for stopping by.
I love this series! I have been considering how and when to pursue guest posters and guest posting.. I feel I’m still a little bitty blog and have little to offer, but thank you thank you for all this great advice! It is really great for us newbies who are stumbling around in the dark
.-= Brandi @ Frugal Farmhouse´s last blog ..Why are you frugal? =-.
@Brandi @ Frugal Farmhouse, Now is a GREAT time to be a guest poster! It helps to grow your blog audience.
Also, your blog is very hard to read. You might consider a creamy background behind the words to make it a bit easier. See how my words have the blue background? I think cream would go great with your blog colors.
GREAT post – I have guest posted a couple times, but need to do more AND have more on my site. What a great process – which I could follow IF I had my home office organized – guess I have to stand by for your series – LOL!
.-= lynn @ Maven of Savin´s last blog ..Skinny Cow Cups | B2G1 Free printable coupons =-.
@lynn @ Maven of Savin, The time is almost here! I have several posts started and need to make me a list to get them completed.
I have also been getting my office in order and taking pictures.
I scribbled a post the other day that I have yet to find so I can type it up. Since it is DAY ONE of my org series, I simply HAVE to find it and get it typed. YIKES
Find me on twitter tomorrow knocking out my to do list. Simply search hashtag #cleaninggame – if you don’t see me, give me a hollar
Woman you are so savvy! I would love to have you on my site and vice verse. I need to reach out more and just ask. The worst people can say is NO. lol