Previously, we accepted guest articles on CanadaCreate. Although we have since discontinued this program, we still recall how challenging it was to manage guest submissions.
Submissions came in through various channels such as email, Google Docs, and social media messages. Keeping everything organized was a daunting task, and we spent countless hours sorting through content from different authors.
After years of successfully managing multiple WordPress blogs and assisting other site owners in enhancing their content strategies, we have identified the essential tools and systems needed to create an efficient guest blogging program.
With the right strategy, guest blogging can transform from a frustrating experience into an effective method for expanding your website with high-quality content.
This is why we have created this detailed guide on how to attract and manage guest bloggers on WordPress. We will provide you with the precise steps, plugins, and strategies necessary to establish a streamlined guest posting system that saves you time and consistently delivers excellent content.
Whether you’re new to guest blogging or seeking to optimize your current process, you will find all the information you need right here.
Advantages of Accepting Guest Blog Posts for Publishers
Guest blogging offers numerous advantages for both the guest author and the organization they represent, providing opportunities for increased visibility and valuable backlinks to their website.
So, what benefits do you gain as a website owner?
Here are several benefits of accepting guest blog posts on your WordPress site.
- Fresh Perspectives:Each guest author contributes their unique insights and expertise, ensuring your content remains fresh and engaging for your audience.
- New Audience:Typically, the guest author will share the published article with their followers, bringing new visitors to your website and expanding your audience.
- New Connection:By allowing someone to guest post on your site, you can foster a relationship with them, increasing the likelihood of future collaborations.
- New Post:You gain an additional post for your site without having to write it yourself, allowing you to dedicate more time to other aspects of your brand’s growth.
Now that you understand the benefits of accepting guest posts, let’s explore how to attract guest bloggers on WordPress.
Attracting Guest Bloggers in WordPress
There are several effective strategies to attract guest bloggers on WordPress, with the simplest being to create a ‘Write for Us’ page on your site.
On this page, you can provide detailed information about guest post submissions and offer clear publishing guidelines for writers. If you have specific topics in mind, feel free to list them as well.
Ensure that the ‘Write for Us’ page is easily accessible to your visitors. You can add the link to the main navigation of your WordPress blog, such as in the top menu or sidebar.
Additionally, consider adding the ‘Write for Us’ link at the end of each post in the author bio or on every guest author post.
Pro Tip:Create eye-catching ‘Write for Us’ pages using SeedProd, the top landing page plugin for WordPress, which offers a variety of customization options. Check out our comprehensive guide on creating a landing page in WordPress for more information.
Another effective strategy to attract guest bloggers is to offer them financial compensation. You can establish different payment rates for various types of content.
For instance, DAME Magazine provides guest authors with monetary compensation ranging from $300 to $750 for reported features.
You can also collaborate with other businesses by guest posting on their sites while allowing their authors to contribute to your website.
Bloggers often reciprocate guest posts, which can be beneficial, especially if you share the same niche.
Finally, consider joining various guest blogger communities to discover opportunities for attracting new guest posts to your site.
Now that you understand how to attract guest bloggers, let’s explore how to accept guest posts on your WordPress blog.
How to Accept Guest Posts in WordPress
There are multiple methods to accept guest blog posts in WordPress. The simplest approach is to allow users to submit guest posts directly from the front end of your WordPress site.
This way, you won’t need to grant access to the WordPress admin area or require users to register. Guest bloggers can easily upload their content using a post submission form.
We recommend using WPForms to streamline this process. It is the top form plugin for WordPress and features a user-friendly drag-and-drop form builder.
At CanadaCreate, we utilize this plugin to create various forms, including contact forms and annual user surveys. Check out our comprehensive WPForms review for more information.
The plugin includes a Post Submissions addon that simplifies the process for users to upload content to your site. Note that you’ll need the WPForms Pro version for this feature.
First, install and activate the WPForms plugin. If you need assistance, follow our guide on installing a WordPress plugin.
Once the plugin is activated, navigate to WPForms » SettingsAccess your WordPress admin dashboard and input the license key. You can locate the license key in your WPForms account.
Next, navigate to the WPForms » Addonspage. Scroll down to find the Post Submissions Addon and click the ‘Install Addon’ button.
The addon will automatically install and activate.
Once the addon is installed, you can create your post submission form. Start by going to WPForms » Add Newto open the WPForms form builder.
Then, enter a name for your form and choose the ‘Blog Post Submission Form’ template from the available options.
Now, utilize the drag-and-drop builder to personalize your form.
Easily add new form fields by dragging them from the options on the left and placing them in your desired location within the form.
WPForms allows you to customize each field individually. Simply click on any field you wish to edit, and you will see options to modify the label, size, format, add a description, and more.
After customizing your post submission form, proceed to the ‘Settings’ tab.
In the General settings, you can customize your form’s name and description, modify the submit button text, adjust the anti-spam protection settings, enable AJAX form submissions, and more.
Next, navigate to the ‘Notifications’ settings tab to update the email address and message you will receive when someone submits a guest blog post through the form.
Once that’s complete, proceed to the ‘Confirmations’ settings tab and modify the message that users will see after they submit the form. WPForms allows you to display a message, redirect users to a new URL, or show a specific page.
After that, click on the ‘Post Submissions’ settings tab to align each form field with the corresponding fields in WordPress.
Now, save your settings to keep your post-submission form and exit the form builder.
Next, you need to add your guest post submission form to your website. You can do this by creating a new page or editing an existing one.
Once you are in the WordPress block editor, simply click the ‘+’ button and insert a WPForms block.
After that, select your guest post submission form.
Simply click the dropdown menu in the WPForms block and choose the form you created earlier. You can now proceed to publish your page.
Next, go to your website to view the post submission form in action.
In addition to using WPForms, there are other methods to enable users to submit guest posts on your WordPress site. For instance, you can create separate WordPress accounts for each contributor.
However, this approach would grant guest writers access to your WordPress admin area, allowing them to view other blog posts and pages on your site.
If you prefer not to create new accounts for your guest writers, you can utilize custom fields to modify the guest author names.
Establish Website Traffic Tracking by Authors
Once you begin publishing guest posts, it’s crucial to monitor their performance. One effective method is to identify which authors generate the most traffic to your website.
This will help you recognize the most popular guest bloggers on your site and understand the types of content your audience enjoys, allowing you to accept more guest posts on similar subjects.
With MonsterInsights, you can effortlessly set up author tracking in Google Analytics. MonsterInsights is the leading analytics solution for WordPress, trusted by over 3 million businesses.
We utilize MonsterInsights to monitor conversions, referral links, and visitor behavior. Our comprehensive review of the plugin will help you grasp all its features and functionalities.
MonsterInsights simplifies the process of integrating Google Analytics with WordPress, eliminating the need for code editing or hiring a specialist.
With the MonsterInsights Dimensions add-on, you can pinpoint the most popular contributors on your blog.
The Dimensions add-on allows you to configure custom dimensions in WordPress. Custom dimensions provide additional tracking information in Google Analytics, such as authors, post types, user IDs, categories, logged-in users, and more.
One of the greatest advantages of using MonsterInsights is the ability to view data directly within your WordPress admin dashboard, without the hassle of switching between tabs or windows.
To find out who the most popular author on your site is, simply navigate to Insights » Reports and select the ‘Dimensions’ tab.
For further information, you can refer to our detailed guide on enabling author tracking in WordPress.
Helpful Tips for Accepting Guest Posts
Since Google has intensified its scrutiny of paid text links, SEO firms and spammers have increasingly turned to guest posts as an alternative.
Regardless of your blog’s popularity, you will inevitably receive some guest post requests.
When your blog is new and you receive a guest post request, it’s easy to get excited. However, this excitement can lead to the mistake of approving low-quality content.
To assist you, here are some guidelines to consider when accepting guest posts.
Inquire About Desired Keywords or Backlinks
Avoid linking to spammy or irrelevant websites such as online gambling sites, dubious product sellers, or unreliable insurance companies. Additionally, steer clear of keywords that do not pertain to your industry or niche.
If you don’t ask your guest bloggers about their targeted keywords or whether they are linking to questionable websites, they may produce content that lacks value.
At this stage, rejecting their post could reflect poorly on you. It’s best to clarify expectations early on.
Request Topic Ideas and a Summary Before the Final Submission
Many SEO companies and spammers often come with pre-written articles. They may express interest in writing for your blog but fail to propose any specific ideas.
Be cautious of receiving pre-written posts that have appeared on multiple websites. Duplicate content can negatively impact your WordPress SEO.
Always request topic suggestions along with a brief summary or outline of the article. This helps you assess the writer’s qualifications and allows you to approve or decline the proposed topic.
This approach will help you steer clear of generic articles or list posts that have already been extensively covered by other sites.
We hope this article has helped you learn how to effectively attract and manage guest bloggers on WordPress. You may also want to explore our guide on selecting the best blogging platform and our expert recommendations for essential WordPress plugins for all websites.
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