When I say guests I mean guest bloggers, interviews, contests, book reviews, anything. Just guests in general. Here's why:
1. Guests drive traffic from their blog/Facebook/contact book to your blog. Well, duh. But the important part of that is that sometimes those readers will become your readers. Especially if you respond to any of their comments and go visit their blogs.
2. Guests make your blog more well-rounded. Readers get bored. Guests bring new ideas and freshness to your site. Not that you're boring, but really, who isn't after awhile.
3. Guests give you a break. Which can often help with writer's block or blog burnout.
4. Guests build community. I don't know about you, but I always feel more connected to another blogger after I've been on their blog. It creates a bond. And isn't community what it's about for many of us?
A word of caution: too many guests may drive some readers away, unless that's what your blog is about. If your readers love you more for your personality than your content then you may be risking losing your own followers.
And your guests should probably be over the age of 1, unlike the picture above.
What other benefits do you get from having guest bloggers? Do you like guest posts? Do they turn you away? Please share your thoughts!
