With so many blogs out there, I often find myself getting caught up in trying to work out which ones are the best to comment and guest post on, to get my own blog ranking and profile up.
From a personal perspective, I usually choose to comment or guest post on blogs that I like, that are well-written, and that provide informative material close to my own industry.
The thing is, it can be a challenge to pick out the best sites to either comment on or guest blog for, as there are so many available to choose from.
I’ve found a few tips out along the way to help you pick the best sites to get involved with, to bring you traffic and show your commitment to commenting.
Use Google to find the best sites out there
As a first port of call for hunting out sites of interest and value, Google is always the place to start. It is speedy and accurate, and brings you the hottest sites relating to your industry.
Depending on what you know about your niche, you can use Google for two things.
The first is simply to help you find sites in your industry by searching specifically for subjects related to your field of interest and expertise.
Secondly, you could search for things like “blogging” or “guest posts” to find sites that want your content, related to your own business.
Go on a niche browsing journey for your industry
Many sites in your field of business will make it clear that they accept blog posts on their site. Therefore, all you have to do is simply browse around the top sites in your niche and see which ones do.
Look for text like “write for us,” “become an author” and “submit your article”. These are all indications the site wants guest posts, so click on these buttons or send the blogger an email.
The chances are they will be delighted to forge a new contact, and you are well on your way to enhancing your network through regular comments and posts.
Use Google Blog Search, which does what it says on the tin
Google Blog Search, is quite obviously, a blog search engine. By using this tool you can easily find blogs that are accepting guest posts in your chosen area.
If you type something you may have typed into the regular Google search box such as “niche guest post” or “niche article by” then you should find some interesting results.
If you remove the niche section it’s possible you’ll find a lot of sites that offer guest posting, but few will be relevant. Take a few minutes to identify the best ones out there, and get commenting.
Get in touch with the authors of your favorite blogs…
Every blogger should know at least ten other writers in their community well enough to have built up a great online relationship of reciprocal help and support.
If you don’t, it’s worth starting your search as soon as possible.
Most guest blogging opportunities come from a direct request to one writer from another, with common or shared interests and aims.
It’s well worth using your existing relationships to offer to write for people, and submit quality content. It’s a win/win situation, as they get good content, and you raise your profile. Perfect!
Guest blogging and commenting is great to enhance your profile online. You get to show a new audience the kind of content you’re capable of writing, and broaden your exposure, opening yourself up to new opportunities.
How have you found blogs to comment or guest post on?
Please share your views in the comments below. Thanks.
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The first thing I look for when trying to find blogs to look for, is what topic it is – is it something that interests me at all. Then I look for whether or not it has CommentLuv plugin, as I’d like to get some links out there, leading back to my own content and also hopefully a little traffic from it. Then I check to see if the blog is also dofollow, as it certainly doesn’t hurt to get some dofollow backlinks either 🙂
As for guest posts, I’ve really only written one and that’s for serradinho.com, though I haven’t published it yet. But soon…
Klaus,
I understand your approach and the reasons why. You may be missing out on some big traffic blogs by only looking for Commentluv / DoFollow blogs.
In my experience, it certainly is worth the effort to do more guest posting.
Andrew
Do you mean that it’s better to do some guest posts (no matter if the blog is dofollow/commentluv), than to comment on some high-traffic blogs that are NOT dofollow/commentluv?
You got my attention when you said I’m missing out on some big traffic 😀
Klaus,
I tried to say don’t restrict yourself to just blogs that have the CommentLuv plugin.
Many huge blogs don’t use it.
Andrew
Don’t forget you can also go to the wefollow of twitter..just Google “WeFollow on Twitter” I didn’t want to just add the link here in the comment.
This is an wonderful place to go also, not only you can find people in your niche, but also target them by the number of followers they have..its awesome.
Thanks Andrew
“TrafficColeman “Signing Off”
Thanks for sharing that advice!
Andrew
I use Blogger Link UP and My Blog Guest to find guest posters. I don’t have to use it very often because many people simply ask. 🙂
Kelli,
Sounds like you are in a position where people are finding you rather than you having to find them…awesome place to be!
Thanks for the tips, as well.
Andrew
Never knew there is something like “We Follow” plugin. Thanks for the info, i’ll make sure this is implemented on my site too.
Andrew, I’d never thought of just Googling in my niche to find the top sites to comment on. That is so simple and makes total sense.
Erica,
I’m glad it is of help!
Andrew
I’m also using google’s blog search these days, in finding the most updated ones. It’s also good to use Yahoo Siteexplorer in searching for great blogs, especially if you’re using SEOquake. You’ll see the PR of each link instantly.
As for me, I depend on the PR and the Alexa Rank of a blog in choosing blogs to request guest posting. While for blog comments, it’s always best to choose those that are relevant to your site’s niche and are authoritative as well.
Regards,
Jason
Jason,
I totally agree with your last paragraph.
Andrew
P.S. Oh and thanks for the tip as well
This is a great post. It really takes time to go through hundreds of blogs to figure out which ones to post on. I get spammed constantly too. People dont understand what it takes to get one quality backlink nowadays. I definitely enjoy the layout of your blog and your info is great as well keep it up ill be back to boost your bounce rate! 🙂
Thanks Connor.
Hope to see you again…real soon.
Andrew
Andrew great list of points on where to decide to guest post. Very timely for me too, as I am trying to find good places to Guest post at. So far I have just occasionally used the method of guest posting on sites that I have a solid relationship with to begin with. But i think I need to start broadening my horizons a little bit.
Thanks for a nice post!
Steve,
I do think relationships is also key…your guest post proposal is more likely to be accepted.
Andrew
I used to go through all the hassle of Google and others; now I find new blogs through the comments of the 20-50 blogs I currently comment on. 🙂
Dennis,
That’s a great and simple strategy.
Andrew
Thank you Andrew…for sharing great tips about blog commenting.
Chandrashekhar
You are welcome.
Andrew
Nice Post andrew. I never though of using google.
Thanks for the awesome tips.
Dev
You are welcome,
Andrew
Very good Andrew. I wish there where bloggers who were relevant to my niche, as well as my geo area to connect with.
Colleen
Are you saying you are the only blog around in your niche?
Andrew
No, only blog in my niche AND my geo area. Literally, the only one blogging in our area who does real estate. There are a few other bloggers, but they are not active, and/or I wouldn’t want to partner with them.
OK – understand!
Andrew
ah. thanks a lot, i’m looking to get some backlinks real bad,
Your article is really helping.
Please link to me some other good articles..
– Matt
Matt,
I’m glad it helped.
You may wish to read my link building series:
https://www.webuildyourblog.com/3286/link-building-campaign-prevent-banned-google/
Andrew
I don’t have many in my niche either that I can guest blog for but I have now been asked by 2 blog owners to guest post. A woman I met just from emailing then speaking to who lives in US and has a lavender farm is going to guest blog for me.
I knew what I wanted her to write on and she has agreed. She has asked me to do the same for her. She has a large readership so I hope to up my visitors when she posts and that some will want to stay. We are not in competition as she mainly grows lavenders and lectures on specifics with growing them.
Also I tweeted a follower of mine today who is looking for articles for her blog and I think I have a couple that may fit the bill. Will wait and see.
I have a few more ideas for guest posting on my blog with people I am meeting in the blogging community. Should keep things interesting.
Patricia Perth Australia
Patricia
That’s great news – sounds like you are having fun!
Andrew
Hi Andrew,
This is a very timely post for me. I’ve been a writer for over 15 years and have written a lot of content for others, but am just now focusing on building my own blog. I hope to do a lot of guest blogging as a means to help grow my own blog, so your input is appreciated.
By the way, do you use a plugin for the “check the box to receive. . .” at the end of your post? If so, and if it works with something like Aweber, I’d love to know which plugin you use. (And yes, I checked it!)
Rebecca
I use this plugin:
https://www.webuildyourblog.com/3013/subscribers-magnet-gave-205-increase-optins/
Andrew