6 Guest Blogging Emails That Suck

The top navigational bar of my blog makes it very clear that guest blog posts are accepted. I want you to write for me. But reviewing the email submissions from wannabe writers, it is pathetic how frequently people think I will publish anything and it is disappointing they view my blog as a trophy to place on their article marketing case.

When you don’t click the link above and read the guidelines, your email message shows me what you really want.

Here are 6 real examples of emails that suck:

The 6th reason your email sucks:

You never researched nor read my blog.

I wanted to make sure my topic fits with your theme. I have two guest posts that I would like to have published. One is about how to plan for retirement in your 20s. The second post is about odd things that need to be transported.

The 5th reason your email sucks:

You confuse guest blogging with article marketing.

Hey there,

We have been reading the articles on your website and are very impressed with the quality of your information. We have a team of copywriters who specialize in writing articles on various topics and would like to write an original article for you to use on your website.

The 4th reason your email sucks:

You are the same as the 6th reason. What has a cost here?

I came across your site, Ariherzog.com, and would like to offer you free content.

The 3rd reason your email sucks:

You are the same as the 4th reason.

I read some of your content and really found them interesting and informative. So I was just wondering if I can also do something for your site, maybe writing an article for your site FREE of cost as a guest writer.

The 2nd reason your email sucks:

You don’t even introduce yourself, and your article is off-topic.

I have attached an article for guest posting please review it. Waiting for response.

And, the number one reason your email sucks:

I was wondering if you accept guest postings?

Please read the guidelines for guest posting. I don’t care if you make a living as a content marketer or a search engine optimizer but try to personalize your email to me. Accept the fact there is a difference between guest blogging and article marketing, as Ann Smarty elaborates in this table:

Guest posting Article Marketing Unique content? Yes, absolutely No (“spunn” content is NOT unique. Period) Extra links? (to your article) Yes! Hardly possible Potential promoters and followers? Yes! Hardly possible Increased exposure to social media? Yes! No Networking power? Yes! Hardly possible Boosting reputation? Yes! (if you are great) Maybe (if you are great!)

Michael Dolen recently wrote a great 2-part series about the online successes and failures of the credit card industry. His email?

Hi Ari,

It’s interesting that your focus is on emerging media, because I own/operate a very popular forum and blog; CreditCardForum.com. On behalf of my site I do quite a bit of guest posting and take pride in the fact that I don’t write the cookie-cutter and bare minimum “guest posts” that a lot of people churn out these days, ha. Is there any particular topic you would like to see me cover? I reviewed your archives showing the last 100 articles and here are a few ideas that popped into my head from looking at those…

Would you like me to write up one of these? Or something else? Just let me know what’s best for you.

By the way, congrats on being elected to Newburyport’s city council! Even though I live some two-thousand miles away on the other coast, just want to say I dig local politicians… I feel they’re the only politicians who actually get stuff done ;)

Thanks,

Mike

Show me you are a person and I’ll be your best friend. But the moment your email about guest blogging opportunities turns into a spamfest of SEO qualifications, pluralized pronouns, and irrelevant content you make it painstakingly clear you never visited my blog, commented here, or would ever think of replying to my readers liking what you have to say.