There’s been a lot written about guest blogging.
- Some positive
- Some headlining as the next rant
A recent post on social media takers surprised me with the amount of passion over the guest blogger spam attack.
Blog hosts are fed up with this form of social media taker.
Spam Recipes
- Do you know anyone who likes spam?
- The questionable meat version
You can dress it up, but all I see is that odd-shaped can with the pull-tab top.
Well, the same thing is happening with requests for guest posts.
- You receive a canned request
- Dressed up with how much they love your blog
- Blah, blah, blah
If you’re brave enough to try it, you are often left with a bad taste in your mouth.
Here are a few of the spam recipes from guest post requests.
Canned Casserole
- Stuffed with compliments
- Without a single original ingredient
Here is a typical canned ingredient.
I’ve been reading simplystatedbusiness.com (with hyperlink to my site) for a long time and I am very impressed with the content.
Uh, thanks for linking to my site since I didn’t know how to find it.
And if you’re a long-time fan, why don’t I know you?
- You never comment
- You never Retweet
- Are you sure you Like me?
Create Your Own Stew
You send out invitations to a potluck.
- Each guest brings a dish
- This “guest” comes empty-handed
- And asks you for the leftovers
Please respond and let me know the topic you would like me to write about and I will be happy to do so. All I request is that you include links to my site in the text.
Would you like me to write that for you, too?
The Vegan Meat Dish
If you’re like me, you have post Categories, Guest Post and disclosure policies, and a theme to your blog.
So, why do senders of guest blogging requests act as if they are serving meat to a known vegan?
I was wondering what advertising options you have on your website. I would prefer a text link on your homepage, but I am open to suggestions. I look forward to your response.
I’m sure this is just an oversight since you read this blog all the time and know I don’t advertise – the lack of ads is a pretty big clue – not to mention the disclosure policy.
I am currently working in the Finance sector and looking to position links to my website from content relating to International finance.
About as close as I get to finance discussions is my love/hate relationship with math.
Guest Behavior
There’s a reason it’s called guest blogging.
- Guests are invited
- Guests are often known by the host
- Or invited by someone the host knows
A sad outcome of all the guest blogging spam is more hosts are closing the door on the uninvited.
I guess that means we should build relationships before showing up on someone’s doorstep.
And don’t come empty-handed.
What uninvited guest stories do you have?
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Can I just say ‘all of the above’, Cathy? I am so tired of these types of approaches. This is a nice follow-up to your last post.
Thanks, Sharon. There seems to be a lot of that sentiment going around. And, of course, you can say all of the above. 🙂
I didn’t even get into the annoying follow-ups when you try to ignore them. 🙂
I love all the food references…. made it easy for me to understand 🙂
You’ll find a lot of those references, Anthony. 😀 I think I’m obsessed. And here you come with a breakfast pizza recipe-yum. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Anthony.
I’m right there with you Cathy. You can fry it, pour gravy over it, even wrap it in bacon, but it’s still Spam. I don’t understand why people believe guest posting doesn’t require formal, or at least semi-formal queries? You’re the editor of your site and you get to decide what content gets published. If someone wants to write for you then present it professionally. I just don’t get it.
Yikes. Those emails are painful – and consistent. Makes me glad I don’t have a high traffic blog because I don’t get many of those as a result.
My pet peeve is getting an email from someone asking me to share their post on my blog when they’ve never commented on mine or shared a post on social media.
Hi Cathy,
You have no idea how much you made laugh with your personal comments on the requests. By the way, funny you mention your “love/hate relationship with math” when I posted on the subject. I always check on your posts for lagged inspiration.
Hi Wade: I am shuddering with the mental image of spam with gravy on it-blech. 🙂 I don’t know, Wade, maybe we’re just from a different wavelength. 😉
Thanks for stopping by.
Just wait, Samar-you will. 🙂 It hasn’t been that long since I started receiving requests. At first, I was thrilled with being “noticed.” Now, I wish some would lose my email address.
Thanks for commenting, Samar. You understand how it works. 😉
Hey Gustavo: Who would have thought it – me, inspiring the science guy. 😀
Glad I could bring a laugh to your day. Thanks for stopping by, Gustavo. Let me know about your next inspiration. 😉
I guess the 3 day fish story applies herein!
LOL, Roy! 😀 Well, something sure stinks. Thanks for sharing – I think. 😉
Holy crap, I got about five of those word for word in the past week! I thought maybe I was being unappreciative or judgmental?? I hate to ignore requests because I don’t want to be “THAT” blogger but maybe I can ignore without guilt knowing that I’m not the only one.
I swear, I think the exact same thing you do when I get those requests that say they’ve been reading my blog and are very impressed blah blah: Oh yeah? Where’s your comment? Where’s your tweet? Who the heck are you? Wow, I guess I’m a little naive about the spam guest post request because I felt all sorts of bad for not answering/putting them off. Thanks for cracking me up and enlightening me at the same time 🙂
I’ve gotten almost as many bogus offers for guest posts the last 10 days as I have offers to loan me $1,000 bucks… really annoying!
Wonder if another ‘guru’ has recently touted guest posting?
I also get pestered by these people far too often. Frequently their websites/businesses are very dubious.
Something to consider from an SEO standpoint: Google doesn’t like it if you link to what it considers bad sites. Most of these people want a backlink in exchange for that fantastic guest post.
Hi Carol: I felt exactly the same way you did. I’d personally respond to every request, and worried that the requester was simply inexperienced (like I was).
While I don’t like that I’ve gotten more suspicious (it’s not my nature), I have no problem ignoring requests that obviously have no interest in my blog or my readers.
As long as I keep my sense of humor about it, I consider it a win for my side. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and sharing your experience, Carol.
I wonder if that’s it, Anne. Someone wrote about how great guest blogging is and wham! We all get hit.
Gee, I’m hurt-I haven’t received the offers for a $1,000. 🙂 Let’s hope I miss that special opportunity.
You’re right, John. I haven’t received a request yet that hasn’t asked for those backlinks. It’s that fact that makes me more cautious. Thanks for a good “heads-up,” John.
I used to read through those e-mails. Then I finally realized (duh, I’m slow sometimes!) that they wanted to use my blog as a way to promote their products and there was NO advantage to me. AND, if you look closely, the content they are serving up is canned, just like that e-mail. Buyer beware! LOL
I had a prolonged Duh moment myself, Martha. My Pollyanna nature. 🙂 We fret over hurting their feelings when they couldn’t care less.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Martha.