I am considering having someone I consider an expert in an area I do not service writing a guest blog for my site. Of course, the subject is pertinent to my niche and business -- is there value to having a guest blogger in this type of instance?

What are your thoughts/experiences?

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Cindy
www.eoseasy.comThe Chrysalis Plan

Hi Cindy,

I was considering the same thing. I hope you get some really good responses on this thread.

Andrea~

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Action Jackson Virtual Assistant|

Hi Cindy,

I don't have my business blog up and running yet, but I'll toss in my opinion anyway. I read a heck of a lot of other people's blogs, and I can't tell you the number of times I've seen comments after a guest post from people who've never commented before. I think this is because when a person is invited to guest post, s/he tells everyone in the address book, "Watch X blog on Y date. I'll be there!" Your blog will reach a whole audience that may never have stumbled onto it otherwise--and some of them may like it enough to become regulars.

If you have a guest blogger that offers/knows about something you don't but is related, it can only be beneficial to your audience. Your regular readers will appreciate that you offered the information even though you don't stand to make any monetary gain. Plus you get an archived post that, chances are, will still be read months later by other people. And the guest gets a nice portfolio item. Everyone wins.

The only guest posts I don't care for are the ones that are blatantly promotional, or those blogs that have more guest bloggers than resident ones. Neither feels authentic. But a rare guest post on a relevant blog? That's a good thing.

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AnnaLisa Michalski, Sunny Words Writing Services

I have guest posts occasionally and like AnnaLisa mentioned it brought new readers. I also got some really great feedback on the one article that I posted. I offer this service to me fellow network buddies and even given them tips of useful article for small business. I know that I definitely have one guest post set up and several others who are interested. This also gives you a little more diversity on your site.

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Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

I have spots set up for guest bloggers. I will let you know how it goes!

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Rebecca Thompson
CLR Virtual Connection * fanTABulous fan pages

There is definitely a benefit to having guest bloggers as well as making guest posts. You throw traffic in each other's direction. You post on your blog with a link to your guest post elsewhere, and you send some of your readers over to the other person's blog. In your guest post, the other person links to your blog, driving some of her readers to your blog. It's a great way for bloggers to help each other out.

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Jodith Allen
Administrative Arts