Guest Blog to Grow Your Platform

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In my work as a blog tour manager for WOW! Women on Writing, I spend a lot of time researching a variety of blogs to see if they could be a good fit for our authors. While doing so, I often inadvertently stumble across some really creative and high-trafficked blogs that welcome guest submissions.

There are several benefits to guest blogging—in other words, writing a post for someone else’s blog. Most of the time these blogs don’t pay for submissions, and yes, there’s a lot of conflicting advice in the publishing industry about “writing for free,” but in this case, it’s a little different. Guest blogging is beneficial for writers who are looking to grow their online presence, drive traffic to their blogs or websites, promote books or services, or build their platforms in order to look more well-rounded when pitching to literary agents or magazine editors. It can also be great for networking purposes.

Here are five blogs and submission guides I recommend exploring if you are interested in guest blogging to build your own platform. Each one includes the opportunity to include a bio where you can promote your book, blog, website, products, etc.

The Change Blog
http://www.thechangeblog.com
This blog welcomes submissions from readers who have experienced a change in their lives, whether it’s related to creativity, fear, goals, happiness, life lessons, etc., and publishes three to four blog posts a week. For maximum exposure, your post will be promoted to 20,000+ readers via RSS/ email and 23,000+ Facebook friends. Examples include “How I Manifested My Sabbatical and Why it Changed My Life, and “Planning for the Life You Want.” You can check out the site’s full submission guidelines here.

The Write Life
http://thewritelife.com
The Write Life is looking for guest posts anywhere from 600-900 words with “practical, actionable advice” that helps the writers’ journey. Subject areas fall into the following categories: freelancing, marketing, blogging, self-publishing, and the writing craft. The community is lively and engaging, and as a result, most blog posts receive numerous comments and traffic. Recent popular posts include “How to Write a Novel, 15 Minutes at a Time,” and “Jobs That Leave You Time to Write.” Visit this page to get started.

My Gutsy Story
http://soniamarsh.com
Author Sonia Marsh accepts submissions for the popular “My Gutsy Story” feature on the Gutsy Living site. Writers can enter up to 1,000 words about an event that changed them, the way they think about something, or made their lives take a different direction. She features one story each Monday, and readers vote for their favorite story of the month. As a bonus, the monthly winner gets to choose a prize from the featured sponsors, such as a coaching session, a book, a magazine subscription, etc. Selected contributors also have the opportunity to have their story published in the My Gutsy Story Anthology. Here's where you can learn more.

The Muffin – Friday Speak Out!
http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com
Yes, that’s us! WOW! Women on Writing accepts guests posts about women and/or writing and publishes one each Friday. Keep posts to less than 500 words and e-mail Marcia (at) wow-womenonwriting (dot) com for consideration.

Tiny Buddha
http://www.tinybuddha.com
From their website: “Tiny Buddha is about reflecting on simple wisdom and learning new ways to apply it to our complex lives—complete with responsibilities, struggles, dreams, and relationships. Founded in 2009, Tiny Buddha has emerged as a leading resource for peace and happiness, with close to three million monthly readers.” Tiny Buddha is seeking specific life stories, practical advice, posts that deal with universal themes, rather than topics on writing, coaching, parenting, entrepreneurship, etc.
Note: Tiny Buddha is currently closed to submissions but should re-open sometime in March 2015, so save this one for future blog post submission ideas!

These are just a few of the places you can potentially visit as a guest blogger. I just might have to come up with a “Part 2” of this list. So pull out those blog post or essay ideas and get creative!

Have tried your hand at guest blogging? If so, tell us where in the comments below and let us know how your experience was!

Renee Roberson worked in advertising and public relations before making the leap into freelance writing after the birth of her first child. She is now an award-winning writer and magazine editor who also works as a blog tour manager for WOW! Women on Writing. When she’s not helping her two kids with their homework or chauffeuring them to their various activities, she blogs about all things writing and book-related at Renee’s Pages.