(Today is a post from Chris the Storyreading Ape. Enjoy and check out his site.)
Author Guest Post Etiquette
My thanks to Charles for inviting me to discuss Guest Author Etiquette (although, an APE discussing etiquette does seem a bit odd, however, since there’s no food involved let’s give it a try and see what happens…
First, there is the obvious question from authors with their own blogs all nicely set up to tout sell their own books…
“WHY should I promote other authors and their books on my blog – I want people to buy and review my book(s)?”
The Answer?
By featuring other authors and their books on your blog, it will bring new visitors and followers to you; and your books (which are probably on display somewhere nearby, e.g., in widgets showing the covers, embedded with the purchase links, on the column beside the article) will be seen by visitors as well and may even result in them getting your books as well.
The second question is…
NO
It’s What should Guest Authors do?
a) Read the Host(ess) blog submission Terms and Conditions fully and carefully.
b) Submit everything required first time to avoid delays, disappointment or rejection.
c) Do not argue with your blog host(ess) about what they will or will not accept, remember that it’s their blog that they are offering to use on your behalf and benefit.
d) Keep in touch with the blog host, that includes following their blog, they may accept further submissions from you.
e) Never, ever consider using a guest post only as a “Buy My Book” advertisement – there are other vehicles you can use to do this, e.g., Book Promos, Giveaway Announcements, Freebie Day Announcements, New Book Release Announcements, Book Tours, etc.
f) Never, ever share a personal secret online. Ambitions, hopes, things that inspired or comforted you are OK for public consumption, but never, ever, a personal secret. It could be just as damaging as sharing an embarrassing photo of yourself on Twitter.
g) Visit the blog and respond to any comments made on the host blog about your published guest article, especially thank the folks who have re-blogged your post, they are helping spread your fame further afield.
h) Visit the blogs of commenters and re-bloggers, you might like what you see there, become a follower, gain a friend and maybe even appear on that blog in future
i) Share the published blog post in as many media groups you are a part of, not just by re-blogging it, or doing a quick tweet, or even uploading it onto your Facebook page.
j) DO NOT SPAM – overdoing the sharing will have a negative effect on your popularity and your books and could also adversely affect your kind host(ess).
k) Offer to either interview your host on your blog or just generally promote their blog to your readers. Whatever you do, make sure you reciprocate in some way and keep up the association, whether the blogger is also an author or not, the worst thing they can say is “No”.
The third question that may arise, from authors who want to be host…
“Apart from being a charming host(ess) what else do I need to do?”
Answer?
1. Set up a dedicated blog section to state your terms and conditions for submissions and make it easy to find.
2. As well as stating what you will accept, include what you will not accept.
3. State everything you may need, e.g., photos, book covers, synopsis, links, etc.
4. In the case that something is missing from the submission, send a polite request to the submitter, requesting the missing information be sent as soon as possible.
5. Provide a dedicated email address – not one you use for getting blog notifications, or personal / business correspondences – where the submissions should be sent, or provide a form at the bottom of the T&C‘s blog section so submissions may be inserted for your consideration and possible use.
6. Always contact the submitter to thank them and confirm whether or not you intend to post their article – if the answer is yes, give them a day, date and time when it will be posted (learn how to use your blog post scheduling facility).
7. Always send the submitter a copy of the direct link to the article after it has gone live (like you, they’re busy people, so they need the reminder.
8. Either set up your blog so your posts are automatically Tweeted, sent to Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn, or wherever, or, share your articles manually to all of the above (I do both).
There you have it, simple guidelines from a simple ape, so there’s no excuse for you humans to get it wrong, is there?
So GO and be a
Legends of Windemere 
Reblogged this on Poetry by Pamela.
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Thanks for the reblog.
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Great advice! The only thing I would add is to make sure to spell check and check that URLs and other links mentioned are correct.
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Excellent advice 😀
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Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog and commented:
My apologies to Charles for my leaving his nice neat and clean blog in tatters and covered in food crumbs and banana skins – but ever the Gentleman, he just smiled the whole time I was there – at least I THINK it was a smile… it seemed to stay on his face a long time…mmmm… 😀
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Eh, it’s no different than any other Tuesday. 😉
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😀 😀 😀
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Reblogged this on Jo Robinson.
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Thanks for the reblog.
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Who says large primates can’t behave in civilized ways?
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Reblogged this on newauthoronline and commented:
Great advice from Chris The Story Reading Ape. I particularly like (f), not sharing personal secrets online, sage advice indeed. Kevin
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Thanks for the reblog.
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Excellent advice, a piece that all newbie bloggers should bookmark!
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Down-to-earth advise and logical advice. Awesome. 🙂
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Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
I love guests on my blog as they add lots of interesting layers to the content and does me a power of good too.. Great etiquette guidelines from the Ape… look forward to hearing from you all..
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A great post. Kudos to you both 🙂
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Reblogged this on kyrosmagica and commented:
Reblog of Guest Author Etiquette by Christ The Storyreading Ape.
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Reblogged this on Tricia Drammeh and commented:
This is an excellent article by Chris the Story Reading Ape. Learn the proper etiquette for guest posting. Or pick up some tips on how to set up your own promotional blog.
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Thanks for the reblog.
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Great advice.
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Great information.
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I especially liked the part where you remind people who guest-post somewhere to GO ANSWER QUESTIONS the day your post comes out – I hate it when someone proposes something interesting, and then doesn’t engage in the conversation.
I would add: do them right – or don’t do them at all. Which is why I can’t. It takes a lot of effort to do a guest post somewhere (fulfilling the host’s requirements), and even more effort to be a host yourself, especially on a continuing basis.
I know my limitations – and how variable my energy is. I refuse to disappoint people in one more way – better to limit myself to the things I can do my snail-paced way.
Very useful post.
Alicia
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Thank you, Charles. Great advice from Chris. Shared 🙂
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Reblogged this on theowlladyblog.
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Thanks for the reblog.
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Outstanding advice, Chris. Thanks for bringing us this Charles.
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You’re welcome. 😁
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