We’ve written before about what it takes to become a full-time blogger. But if you’re looking to get some of the benefits of writing blog posts—without committing to it full time—by being a guest blogger on established sites.
Why would you want to write for someone else—and most likely for free? Guest blogging has undeniable benefits to writers and non-writers alike. Here are ways guest blogging can amp up your career—and your job search.
You’ll Become an Authority
Write a lot about a given topic—whether it’s your passion for crochet or your take on a given issue in your industry—helps establish you as an expert on it.
If you want to write more about the subject or get editors to think of you when making assignments on it, you’ll have a proven track record of published work on the matter.
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You’ll Get Exposure
That old expression—it’s not what you know, it’s who you know—has never been truer.
Guest blogging exposes your work to readers who may have never seen it before—and gives you more chances to know more people. And you’ll be more likely to come to mind when someone in your newly expanded network is looking to fill a job.
You’ll Add to Your Portfolio
Getting clips can be a challenge when you’re first starting out, or when you’ve been working a while in a non-writing role.
A guest blog post is a valuable clip to add to your portfolio, and a great addition to your work for future editors or employers to discover when they do a Google search on you.
You’ll Drive Traffic to Your Site or Social Channels
OK, here’s a dirty little not-so-secret secret about guest blogging: Most guest bloggers don’t do the usually unpaid work for charity. They do it for the traffic their post will drive back to their site, thanks to backlinks to their website.
If you don’t have your own site—or you’re between jobs and don’t have an employer with a site—don’t worry. You can often have your writer bio link back to your Twitter or LinkedIn profile.
You’ll Get an Edge at Work
Here’s another guest blogging secret: Although your boss and other higher-ups at work probably know they should be doing guest blogging too for all the reasons mentioned above, if they hate to write, they’re probably dreading the prospect of having to start.
If you have guest blog posts that have already been published and offer to work with your boss to help her craft some of her own under her own byline, she’ll love you for it. And voila: You’ve just made yourself be even more indispensable as your company’s very own guest blog post ghostwriter.
You’ll Get an Edge in Your Job Search
Authority, exposure, online portfolio, an added skill that hiring managers love—all of the points we’ve discussed above will not only help you slay it at your current job, but they’re also factors that will help you land your next one.
Ready to Get Started?
There are plenty of opportunities for guest bloggers around the web; a simple Google search for your topic and “guest blog” is a completely valid stepping off point.
And if you can speak with authority about working in media, marketing or public relations, there’s a chance you can guest blog for Mediabistro.
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