3 Years ago this week I ran the first in the weekly Friday guest post feature. Since then 77 different posters, covering many different coaching areas, have generously taken their time to share their thoughts, knowledge and expertise.
So I thought to mark the occasion I would share some of what I look for in a guest post. I can’t talk for other blog owners so if you also publish guest posts then I’d love to hear what you ask for in the comment section below.
The main thing I look for in a guest post is that it MUST be something that will be of interest to coaches. It’s important that a post is written with this blogs audience in mind and “pitched” accordingly – Even if I receive a superb post for a different audience, if it’s not suitable for this blogs readers I won’t publish it!
This does mean that the majority of our previous guest posters are either coaches themselves or work regularly with coaches as their clients.
However, there have also been experts in other areas that have written superb posts because they considered how their knowledge and experience could be worded suitably to attract a coach’s interest and often provide useful information.
All have taken a simple brief – to provide a post that they think will be of interest to coaches and shared in their own unique voices and styles. Some have chosen to keep their post strictly knowledge based, others disclose their own personal story and experience and some write an opinion piece.
Sometimes I get asked my opinion about two different ideas for a guest post. Providing that those are both suitable my most common response is to pick the one that the guest poster is most compelled to write and they think will be the most enjoyable for them to craft. In my experience that generally produces a much more engaging post.
When I first had the idea to invite guest posters to share I loved the idea of a mix of different voices, styles and opinions – and we’ve had some great guest posters so far that have offered just that across such a broad range.
The way that I organize the guest post feature is that I assign Friday publishing dates on a first requested basis – which can mean that some guest posts have been committed to months in advance of them being published.
I found early in the process that things ran a lot smoother if I “touched base” a couple of weeks in advance of the publishing date just to give the opportunity to ask any questions and occasionally act as a catalyst for inspiration 
Personally, I understand that unexpected events can occur and have back-up plans in place for situations when a guest poster can’t keep their original commitment to meet a guest post deadline.
Some, like a major power cut happen at short notice; others have a much longer lead in. The earlier I know about any potential issue the easier it is to find a solution.
I plan to continue guest posts each Friday and I am always happy to hear from new individuals who are considering being involved by writing a guest post. There are still Friday publishing dates for this year.
If you want to be one of Coaching Confidence, the coaching blog, guest posters drop me an email via this page and we can talk further about setting that up.
About the Author
Jen Waller is on a mission to support, nurture and encourage coaching skills and talents from non-coach to coach and beyond.
She has created a free 7 day e-course about how to create your own unique coaching welcome pack that works for you and your clients. Get your copy here.
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