Yesterday, I spoke about how to get your guest post published on a pro blog. Today, I want to discuss what to do after your post has been published in front of those 30, 40 or 50 thousand subscribers.

Taking Advantage of Guest Blogging

The real benefit of guest blogging comes when you write several articles for one particular blog, or for a range of blogs with the same audience. The idea is to get your name in front of the same audience on a regular basis.

Back in the days when guest posts were rare, it was possible to achieve fantastic results from just one guest post. But in this age where guest posts are a daily occurrence, it takes a series of guest posts for an audience to truly notice the author.

Five Tips to Help You Make the Most of Your Guest Post

Thank the Author – As we discussed in yesterdays post, the blog author will often not reply to your email regarding a guest post. You’ll often only find out they have decided to publish the article after it has already been published. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t thank them. Via email or via the post comments, ensure the author knows how grateful you are.

Reply to Reader Comments – If you’re guest blogging on a site with 40,000 subscribers, your post might receive anywhere from 50 to 100 comments. Reply to them and answer any questions that come up. One of the problems you’ll find with guest blogging is some readers skip over your introductory paragraph and as such don’t realise it was a guest post. By replying to comments, more readers will become aware that you’re the author.

Make Your Own Readers Aware – Your readers are subscribed to your blog because they want to read what you write. That’s true whether or not your writing is on your own blog or somebody else’s blog. So make them aware of your guest post in the same way you would make them aware of a normal post on your blog. Post about it on your blog. Tweet a link to it. Tell your friends on Facebook. However you get the word out about your normal posts, do the same for your guest posts.

Build Relationships with the Commentators – It’s probably not everyday you write a post that receives upwards of 50 comments. So make the most of it while you can. Click through to the blogs of those who wrote comments. Write comments on their blog. Add them to Twitter. Add them to Facebook. Build a relationship with as many of those commentators as you can, within the first week after writing a guest post. Keep your name in their email inbox.

In the same way that blogging isn’t about writing an article and letting readers flock to it, guest blogging isn’t about writing a post and letting people click your link in your small introductory paragraph. In the week since I wrote my two guest posts for John Chow, I’ve received 100 visitors to this blog from John’s blog. And sure, I’ve received some subscribers as a result. But I’ve gained far more subscribers by visiting the blogs of those people who wrote a comment on the guest posts, building a relationship with them, and then eventually getting them to click through to my blog (via Twitter, my email signature or a comment on their blog) three or four days after my guest posts went live. Extend your hand and people will grab.

Write Your Next Guest Post – Remember, the true benefit of guest blogging comes from multiple articles in front of one audience. I’m currently aiming for a guest post every three days in front of one audience. It’s hard work, for sure, but the rewards are very fulfilling.

Besides jumping up and down with excitement, what do you do after your guest post is published? Let us know in the comments!

Related Posts:

1. How to Find the Perfect Blog for Guest Blogging (Case Study) ...
2. How to Get Your Guest Post Published on a Pro Blog ...