Left Photo Credit to: artfotoss / 123RF Stock Photo
A little while ago I was going through my email and I came across an interesting message from one Serj Sokoloff.
Here’s an unedited copy-paste of the email I got from him:
I was hoping I could publish something on your site. I have several ideas I am working – Strange Marketing Premiums That Work Marketing: No Single Correct Answer The Real Purpose Behind An Advertisement I look forward to hearing your feedback. Thanks!
Right… Thanks (for wasting my time, you idiot.)
First of all, if you stop to think for a second, you’ll see the guy hasn’t taken much time to think his message over and edit it properly. It’s full of weird grammar, fucked-up syntax and terrible formatting, which makes the whole thing…
Impossible to
Understand !
Secondly, I’ve never written anything on business communication on social media platforms, so I don’t know where he took that post he liked from.
Certainly
Not from
This Blog !
I wanted to be nice, though, so I asked him which article he liked specifically, and I also told him to write the article and submit it, so that I could approve it. Here’s what he said to that:
Please send me the title that you’re interested in and will provide the article. P.S.: How many words must be in the article?
What a Retard !
It became obvious to me he’s never taken the time to read anything I wrote. What’s more, he didn’t even know what niche I work in (or maybe he just forgot, who knows.) Anyway… this was a terrible experience for me, and here are a few quick lessons to take away from this case study:
1. Read the Rules
You might not like it. You might think it’s boring and a complete waste of time. You might think there are better things to do. You have to do it, though, not because the person you’re going to be getting in touch with won’t have the patience to talk to you and explain them, but because if they feel you’ve not taken the two minutes to go through the rules…
It Tells Them
Immediately
How Serious You Are !
On the other hand, if you take a close look at their blog and show them you are ready to follow the rules, it shows them you know what you’re doing. It also shows respect towards them, which always…
Goes
a Long Way !
2. It’s Up to You to Do the Fucking Research
You’re going to have a hard time finding someone to guest post for, if you expect them to tell you what to write about. You’re not a ghost writer. You’re a guest poster. If you want to guest for a blog, you must do your research. Pay attention not only to what the blog is about, but also to…
How the Content
is Written !
Try to mimic the writing style and make sure you make your article interesting for the blog’s target audience. Don’t ask the blog owner idiotic questions that give away you’ve not even looked at his blog. Do the research, see if you like the blog and then…
Write With a
Guest Posting
Deal !
3. Don’t Lie
I know you wouldn’t, but since that’s what happened in the bad case study, I want to talk to you about it. As I am sure you know, people don’t like to deal with lairs. That’s just how it is. It’s much better for you to be upfront and honest, than it is to be a liar. Honesty and integrity is all you have online, and once you get caught and your dishonesty is exposed (and you will get caught, believe me)…
You’ll Be
Finished !
You want to be as transparent as possible.
Above Photo Credit to: hamsterman / 123RF Stock Photo
4. Know What You Want to Say
When you find a blog you’d like to write for, go ahead and create the content right after you get the initial reply to your first email. This way everything is ready to go when things get serious, and you have something to show them as soon as they need it.
Nothing Kills the Deal
More Than Having to
Wait a Week
for a Simple Article !
It doesn’t take that long to make a great blog post, and even if it gets rejected, you still end up with a great post you can post on your blog.
It’s a Win-Win,
No Matter
What Happens !
5. Give a Shit
An interesting thing that Serj did was paste that initial email I showed you all over the Internet, as he was looking for someone to guest post for. Now, there’s nothing wrong with contacting multiple people, as long as you can handle the demand, but come on…
Pasting the
Whole Fucking Email
Word-for-Word
All Over the Place ?!
That’s not only counter productive as no one wants to work with spammers nowadays, it’s completely stupid. What’s more…
It Shows
the Blog Owner
You Don’t Care About
Working With Them !
Bonus: It’s All About Them
Now, there’s one more thing I need you to keep in mind. It’s another thing Serj seemed to have forgotten, and which is crucial for your success. You see, there’s a certain way to talk to the blog owner you want to write for. You might think since you’re getting the blogger free content, you shouldn’t have to explain to them…
Why It’s Important for Them to
Work With You !
The thing is, though, popular bloggers get a whole lot of guest posting offers, and they can’t possibly accept them all. That’s why, from that very first line of that first email, you need to…
Focus On Them !
This is a good general rule of thumb, no matter what it is you’re doing. Whether you’re looking to guest post on some blogs, searching for affiliates, getting people to buy from you or looking for a partner, always focus on how you can help them. If you’ve been marketing or blogging for any amount of time, you’ve probably heard that online…
No One Cares
About You !
People care about their lives, their money, their prosperity, their families. People care about themselves, so show them…
How You Can Help Them and
You’ll Do Great !
Serj, being an idiot, forgot all about that and I really didn’t have a reason to work with him, other than I wanted to genuinely help him. That’s the only reason I even talked to him. I have to tell you, however, that most successful bloggers are too busy to talk to people who don’t understand how the game is played, and…
I Don’t
Blame Them !
Life’s too short to waste it, so be sure you pay attention to the basics, don’t be an idiot, and…
You’re Going to Enjoy
Great Guest Posting
Success !
Stay Smart,
Also Known As “The Smart Blogger”
Article by Wong Chendong aka The Bad Blogger
This bad boy delivers the oohs, ahhs, and woes of money matters like any man would... rough. He's frank, to the point and likes it raw. There's no sugar coating here, except for the taste of sweet success and the beautiful women who love it just as much. TheBadBlogger.com is a blog pictured and accented with the likes of lovely ladies and while the dames tend to be a delightful distraction, The Bad Blogger always takes care of business first. Find out how you can improve your marketing tactics, money matters and blogging techniques by Subscribing to his RSS Feed to get the latest update of his blog post or go direct to his blog at www.TheBadBlogger.com. You may reprint this post provided you leave the content, links, author, and "about the author" section at the end intact.
has written 286 awesome articles for us at The Bad Blogger
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
Wong I guess its been your routine now to show up such people on your blogs and writing about them.I know its quite hard to deal with such persons when they without even knowing whats the purpose of blogging is.I guess he is trying to make things work for himself alone.
Aditya recently posted..Mobile Recharge Software with API Delhi
Twitter: TheBadBlogger
October 13, 2012 at 3:35 pm
I can’t say he doesn’t really had a plan, but I do know he might had learn guest posting the wrong way, and who is the donkey that teaches him should be terminated
Wong Chendong aka The Bad Blogger recently posted..7 Reasons Why Outsourcing Your Comments Will Blew You Big Time!
Ya that’s for sure,he the donkey guy is on the verge to destroy career of both in a short span of time.
Aditya recently posted..MLM Software in Noida
Twitter: arslan3354
October 6, 2012 at 7:51 pm
paying atention and researching is very important for a good guest post na d btw very well explained!
Arslanh recently posted..HTC One X+ the Upgraded version of One X
Most of these tips apply to any kind of writing. Being honest and informative with your writing is the best foundation to build a blog.
Tammy Howard recently posted..רדאיקס – Exchange solutions
Proper researching is the best way in order to make great posting. I think being true can help writers in order write great contents in their blog. Thanks for sharing some of the tips that can help us.
TracyAnn0312 recently posted..לימודי קבלה
Twitter: wpfiesta
October 11, 2012 at 8:50 am
Wong,
I just googled the name “Serj Sokoloff” and found plenty of poorly written articles. He seems to be a spammer promoting wedding photographer website. It is better to ignore those people.
Frank Steiner recently posted..Best WordPress ecommerce plugins
Twitter: TheBadBlogger
October 13, 2012 at 3:37 pm
LOL Photography website using blogging content to promote… what kind of an idiot is that… ROFL
Wong Chendong aka The Bad Blogger recently posted..Bad Case Study Episode 1: Don’t Be a Dumb Ass!
I get people that send me some guest posting requests on occasion. I know we are not all perfect writers with a unique style, but if I can’t understand what they are asking or writing about then I don’t bother. I just delete the email inquiry. I can only imagine how many of these things a high traffic site much receive. Kind of a waste of time going through them too.
Ray recently posted..Usage Share of Web Browsers
Twitter: TheBadBlogger
October 28, 2012 at 9:14 pm
Yes, I had to admit high traffic site does get this sort of problem but, for what I know they outsource to those support service and let them handle and only those that apply to the rules are getting through to the blog owner itself.
Wong Chendong aka The Bad Blogger recently posted..7 Things You Absolutely Need to Forget As a Blogger to Really Make it Happen Big Time!
Twitter: vijaychauhan007
October 27, 2012 at 12:23 am
This is not the case with only you, i have got many mails saying something of this kind. I have a how to blog and recently i got a mail from someone saying he works for a great technology company in my country and he wants to provide me relevant content to be posted on my blog. Before that everyone includes a line asking If I accept guest post on my blog. Though I have clearly written on my write-for-us page that I am not accepting guest posts currently.. Still. But these kinda people tell us every time that blogging can not be done without overcoming this kinda people..
Prithvi recently posted..Free Facebook Credits. How to get Facebook credits for free?
Twitter: TheBadBlogger
October 28, 2012 at 9:16 pm
Well… I had to say, you are right, that is why I always do my best to avoid this sort of people though I still give them a chance but if they doesn’t give a shit, there will be no second chance… well… I guess that’s how online life is all about
Wong Chendong aka The Bad Blogger recently posted..7 Effective Things You Can Do to Set Up Your Blog for Epic Success!
Serj Sokoloff’s no rocket scientist anyway. Stupid and unnecessary comments will always be comming. You must see the good with the bad, welcome to the world of bloggers.
According to me for a excellent blog,research about the topic and power of writing skill,plays most important role.
Thanks.
manisha singh recently posted..SEO: URL Optimization
yeah you r right.. research is necessary… and its totally up to the user.. the best way is to give a shit!! if not did research
Ankit recently posted..Augmented Reality:Project Google Glass:Confirmed To Arrive In 2013: Priced $1500
One should have good knowledge about the topic before writing about it!!
Twitter: beinginawe
May 10, 2013 at 6:56 pm
Guest posting is a good tool of promoting your blog.I guess many people forget about other side of the coin – the blog on whichyou are trying to promote yourself. Their main goal is SELF-promotion, that\’s why Serj Sokoloff looks so stupid to you.
He is not more stupid than any other selfish people we meet in our life.
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