EntreCard is great. So are BlogCatalog and MyBlogLog and (insert your favorite social networking service here). These services are extremely helpful for extending your viewership beyond your mom and your girlfriend. Social bookmarking sites, like Digg and StumbleUpon are great too. If you are able to come up with that "killer post" you just might get a nice wave of traffic. You just might. But what if there was a way that would guarantee you a huge whirlwind of traffic? There is....its called a Guest Post.
If you spot an opportunity to provide a guest post take advantage of it! It is a fantastic way to introduce yourself to a whole new community of users. If the blogger you are guest posting for has a large reader base, I guarantee you will see a blast of new readers to your blog. Impress them and you will earn regular followers of your blog as well.
Don't take the guest post lightly. This is your moment to shine. This is your chance to stand up on stage and show the world what you've got. Yes, they may will throw rotten tomatoes at you if you submit a lame post. A high profile blog won't give you a second thought if your post sucks. But if you make the effort and submit something that is truly exceptional, the blogosphere will give you a standing ovation. A quality guest post on a high profile blog is like a red carpet to instant exposure and a whirlwind of traffic.
Guest posts can be fun too. It gives you the freedom to veer off-topic from your blog and write with an alter ego. You can be funny, charming, irrational, or even controversial. For example, here a couple of guest posts I provided recently:
So remember what I said about the Rotten Tomatoes? I learned that the hard way. I will be the first to admit that my post at JohnCow.com sucked. I got lucky though - they posted it anyway and I saw a HUGE increase in traffic. So to JohnCow I bow down and say "thank you. sorry. thank you." Don't take the same chance I did. If you can provide a guest post at a well known blog, make sure it shines.
Here is your chance. Darren over at ProBlogger - the grand master of blogging for money - is going on vacation and looking for guest bloggers. I'm sure there will be tons of competition, but if you are one of the chosen few to provide a guest post it will be your lucky day. Just make sure your ISP can handle the traffic! Hurry up though, this opportunity won't last.
Oh...and if you ever want to guest post here at BuzzMyBlog.com you are always welcome. Just drop me a note in a comment or shoot me an email (jeffbuzz13 at gmail dot com).
Good luck!
Jeff
