How to be the “Emily Post” of Blog Hosts!
Our host today is Jennifer Brown Banks. If you're interested in getting in front of the readers of Site Sketch 101, check out our guest posting invitation here.
Good writing is subjective.
Good blog hosting isn’t.
In fact, there are few grey areas concerning the latter.
If you want guest bloggers to gather at your “virtual doorstep,” it’s important that you follow a certain “netiquette.”
Basically, as a good blog host, you’ll want their experience to be quick, painless and pleasurable. It’s a no-brainer.
And if you want to attract the “cream of the crop” courtesy and care should be added in for good measure.
Besides the fact that guest bloggers provide free, quality content and allow you to “play hooky” from your blog for the day, heck, it’s just good old fashioned business sense and promotes good karma.
With this is mind, here are a few pointers I thought I’d pass along as a result of my experiences with blogging for some of the top spots on the Net.
- Do have a site that’s easy to navigate with functioning widgets and gadgets and gizmos. A few weeks ago I felt like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz after getting lost on one site. There were so many detours and bad links, and error messages and odd things, oh my! Don’t make it difficult to contribute to your site. Remember the K.I.S.S. principle.
- Please don’t take forever to respond to requests for guest posts. If the good Lord created the heaven and earth in 6 days, surely guest hosts can read and respond to a few brief submissions in a reasonable time frame. Always value people’s time and consider it a compliment that out of all the joints they could have visited, they chose yours. To quote a popular expression, “It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.”
- Don’t overlook “undiscovered talent”. We all had to start somewhere. In this world of publishing platforms and politics, talent should still count for something. Wouldn’t you agree? Sure it’s great to garner bloggers who are at the top of their game in their respective niches; they guarantee traffic and increase your visibility and your stats. But so can quality writing from those who are up and coming and eager to make contributions to the blogging stage and who too have their own loyal fan base! In other words, don’t be a Blog Snob. J
Follow these three timely tips and you’ll be the hostess with the mostest and impress even Emily Post.
Geoff Crane said:
Well my goodness, after years of trying I still don’t make hostess with the mostest but then again I’d be frightful in a frock!
I have to agree with you, Jennifer. The three things you mention above are very core points to blogging; but while they sound simple, I can assure you they’re not.
As easy as it sounds, simplification is a misnomer. You build everything in a way that feels natural to you personally, and then you find out that nobody understands your thought process.
LOL Having trusted friends review your navigation (and then tell you, honestly, “what on earth were you THINKING”) really helps.
As for being a blog snob, *BIG HUGZ* to you, Jennifer, because I believe there are gems to be found everywhere. Overlooking one comment because the author hasn’t had the time, opportunity or means to develop a following, is to overlook a magnificent emerald because the owner is of limited means. A gem is still a gem. It should be displayed proudly!!
Thanks for a fabulous post!
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Jennifer Brown Banks said:
Geoff,
Thanks for your kind words and for shedding some much needed light. I hadn’t really considered that people “build things in a way that feels natural personally” because I come from a business background, and I think I approach things from a logistical and practical standpoint.
I value your input here today.
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Nicholas Cardot said:
Jennifer Brown Banks » That’s actually a good observation and I really think that the key is to balance both of your views on that. For example, I do believe that there are some important principles that might actually take us outside of our own personal comfort zones in order for us to successfully implement them. But I also think that we need to maintain that sense of self and not trade out our own personality to do it. So really, your logistical, business mindset is good but so is the man who works to create a system that works for them personally. And the real winner, in my opinion, is the person who can find a way to do both.
Nicholas Cardot said:
Geoff Crane » Great thoughts Geoff and they’re especially meaningful after the conversations that we’ve been having on Skype in the Blogger’s Lounge. I know exactly what you’re talking about in terms of asking friends to look over your stuff and it simply leaves you thinking to yourself, “What were you thinking?”
I think, though that we all go through that stage as we develop in every aspect of life. When I was in high school I used to look back at the way I acted in grade school and think that I had acted like such a little kid. Then when I was in college, I looked back at my time in high school and I thought to myself that I had been so immature in high school. Now I’ve tried to ramp that mindset up and I’m constantly asking myself this question, “What am I doing right now in terms of design, behavior, connections, etc. that I am going to someday look back on and wonder why I was so immature in that area?” So I try to be more open and honest with myself than I had been in the past and I try to get my friends and peers to be more open and honest with me and I find that it really helps.
Robyn from Sam's Web Guide said:
Great post Jennifer.
Asking oneself questions like, “How would I want to be treated?” or “Am I offering services of a quality that I would demand from someone else?” are very important. Usually this type of self analysis can also help to clear the way to become the best host possible and achieve the tips you’ve stated.
Keep it Jennifer!
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Jennifer Brown Banks said:
Sam,
Thanks for weighing in here today. You pose some valid questions. I think what is important to remember is that the “GOLDEN RULE” applies just as much to blogging as it does other areas of life.
Unfortunately some folks forget that.
Shubh -RBT said:
Thanks for the nice tips Jennifer.
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Jennifer Brown Banks said:
It’s been my pleasure!
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mark said:
Hi Jennifer,
I like your ideas. The way that I look at all of this is that you should treat people on line as you would anywhere else – as potential friends.
After all, I can not see you right now, but I am pretty sure that you exist. Sometimes people may act differently on-line because we can’t see each other.
The people who visit your blog should not just be visitors to you. They are not just avatars, so you should be respectful and kind to them.
Have a great, beautiful weekend!
- mark
Jennifer Brown Banks said:
Mark,
I appreciate your input. I agree that we should treat people online as those we encounter in person.
Respect and kindness are definitely a must.
My Latest Blog Post: A Tribute to Peter McWilliams
Nicholas Cardot said:
Jennifer Brown Banks » I concur. I think also that it goes beyond that. I think that we should really be conversational with people. You’ll probably notice that I don’t respond to most comments with something like “Thanks for the comment.” I wouldn’t say that to you in real life. I share opinions, ideas and concepts. I ask questions and try to incite thoughtful responses. I think that the way we interact on our blogs should be even more like real life communication than most of us even take the time to realize. Jennifer is right on with the ideas that she’s bringing up in this post and you’re right on with your assessment of it.
Jennifer Brown Banks said:
Nicholas,
“Thanks for the comment.”
No, really though… everyone is not necessarily articulate or confident in their expression. Some folks are simply shy. And I can dig that. Personally, I’d rather get something simple and common, than no comment at all.
My Latest Blog Post: A Tribute to Peter McWilliams
Nicholas Cardot said:
Jennifer Brown Banks » From the blogger’s side, I agree. I’m grateful to anyone who leaves any comment. But as an educator teaching people how to build their online presence, I disagree. I believe in challenging people to grow in their abilities to communicate online. Especially if the commentor is a blogger. That is exactly who should be learning how to communicate effectively with people. I absolutely understand and respect that some people may be shy. I have no problem with that at all. I know that each of us are shaped with different personalities and that is what makes us all unique. However, I also know that we can all keep learning and growing.
Jennifer Brown Banks said:
Actually, there are many reasons that people don’t leave specific, detailed comments. Sometimes it can be something as simple as time constraints. I know it’s happened with me before. So many blogs, so little time! So I still say I’d rather something than nothing.
My Latest Blog Post: A Tribute to Peter McWilliams
Dennis Edell | Direct Sales Marketing said:
Excellent stuff Jennifer. as one who is accepting guests, I thank you for the tips.
lately I’ve been real bad with the timely thing. I asked for guests and then had the brainstorm to switch blogs, which meant publishing as much of mine as possible since I’m building the new blog “live”…I thinking I will offer something good as an apology once I start publishing theirs.
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Jennifer Brown Banks said:
Thanks for stopping by, Dennis.
In today’s busy times I can understand why one might fall behind.
But that doesn’t mean you have to stay behind.
Keep forging forward.
Have a great birthday!
My Latest Blog Post: A Tribute to Peter McWilliams
Dennis Edell | Direct Sales Marketing said:
Thanks! I got decent cash and lots of good food; can’t get better then that! LOL
I’m pushin’ forward as fast as possible. Still wondering if I need to “make it up” to the guests for delayed posting?
Granted my community is bigger and more responsive now then when I would have published them in the first place.
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Clara said:
Hey Jennifer- You have got it spot on with this post! Thanks for your insights…
Jennifer Brown Banks said:
Thanks, Clara
It’s great to see you here and to have your feedback.
My Latest Blog Post: A Tribute to Peter McWilliams
Nikola said:
Hi Jen, Another winning post. I’ve had the pleasure of hosting you and a few other writers on my blog and am eternally grateful to everyone. A little common courtesy truly goes a long way. – Nikola
“Gratitude is the memory of the heart.” ~ Jean Baptiste Massieu.
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Jennifer Brown Banks said:
Thanks, Nikola.
As always…it’s a pleasure.
It’s true—a little common courtesy does go a long way. That’s more than a cliche.
B/T/W
I should have another guest post to send your way shortly.
Good of you to weigh in here.
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Nikola said:
Bless you Jennifer!
Many thanks!
My Latest Blog Post: Get Great Summer Looks For A Lot Less
amy said:
Jennifer:
As usual, you are spot on. I hope it wasn’t the ParmFarm you got lost on!! :0) Keep turning out the goods…
Amy
Jennifer Brown Banks said:
Thanks, Amy.
Nope. It wasn’t the Parm Farm.:-)
I appreciate your thoughts and your visit here today.
My Latest Blog Post: A Tribute to Peter McWilliams
Claudia M @cdmtx65 said:
Excellent put Jennifer ! i always enjoy your Articles