Rejection. Door Closed. Deny. No Entry.
Rejection can be hard to deal with. It is a part of life if you put yourself out there. Taking those first few steps of any process is hard also. So when I sent in my first guest post to a rather large and popular blog, and it was rejected, well, frankly, I was angry.
When I got over the anger and hurt (I’m a girl, I get my feelings hurt) I looked at the post and thought, “I wouldn’t accept it either.”
Sure I crossed my T’s and dotted my I’s. Used a catchy title and threw in a few subtitles that compliment the keywords. I gave credit to the image creator. Yes, the post was grammatically, legally and morally ready for publication.
So what did I do to have my post rejected?
For one, I never became aquatinted with the blog owner.
I never commented, shared or liked any of his posts. I wasn’t even on his blogging radar.
This tells him that I don’t care about his blog, so why should he care about my post? There are times blog owners will allow content from strangers, I do, but that article needs to be even better than my blogging friends’ article.
Aside from being a stranger, when he rejected my post there was no chance for a follow-up. I couldn’t just take up more of his time to ask for specific reasons why he didn’t want my post. Why should he take time for a stranger? If I were not, I am sure he would have told me what to fix and send it back in. Instead I got the standard rejection letter.
I also neglected to actually get to know his blog.
What else was he writing? Did I submit something duplicate? Did I even have a subject that complimented his ideas?
I look back now at my post and simply put it did not match the content on his blog. If you must know, it matches the content on my blog better, so I published it here.
I can honestly say I never checked to be sure it was duplicate content. I assumed it was not.
Look Before You Leap, Don’t Get Rejected
Guest posting is about trust; trust between the two bloggers before a guest post and hopefully even more after the guest post is published. I failed to establish any trust with the owner of the blog and learned a valuable lesson.
Have you ever had a guest post rejected? Why?
To see a guest post that got through check out my post Blogging Success Starts With Failure
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Welcome! I'm Allie. I help WAHMs get their businesses noticed online. Feel free to look around. New here? Check out 
Great information you share here, Allie!
Too many folks today only consider themselves (I guess the narcissism exuded by our politicians is wearing off on us) and not the desires and goals of the other.
Know your audience- not only the reader, but the editor and reviewer!
Roy A. Ackerman, PhD, EA created this awesome post: Whither R and D? Or, is it wither R &D?
Roy,
The best guest posters are the ones that know what the owner of the blog, the host blog itself, and the readers of the host blog want and need. Now that I have read 100′s of guest posts and have done some myself I am seeing this pattern. You can feel that the guest poster actually cares about everyone involved and wants to make a great experience for everyone.
LOL, politicians. I read a quote once, it went something like “If politicians were true statesmen like years past, we would be in a better place.” I have never forgotten that. Do you know anyone these days that is actually a “statesmen”? He really does care.
~Allie
Allie created this awesome post: Blogging Success: Failure Is Success
I just submitted my first guest post and it was accepted! *whew!*
Being as prepared as I could be, I spent time getting to know the blogger, her blog, the types of guest posts she has published in the past, and her guidelines for guest posting. It must have worked as she loved my submission!
I was also recently contacted by another blogger about guest posting on my blog. I must admit I’m particular about the content I want to post on my blog! I sat down and wrote out my guest post guidelines, including *gulp!* a disclaimer that I may reject a post if the content isn’t a good fit for my blog.
My blog has a very specific emphasis that goes beyond the topics I’m writing about. I’m not only writing about work-life balance, personal & professional development and career management. I take those topics and put a positive, inspiring spin on them, and I want this emphasis to be present in guest posts, too.
Thanks for sharing about your guest posting experience, Allie! It certainly helps me feel a little less nervous about submitting future guest posts.
Have a great day!
Chrysta
Chrysta Bairre created this awesome post: Networking: It’s not what you get, it’s what you give
Chrysta,
The effort you put into researching and writing that first guest post did really shine through and the host saw that. It is so great that she loved it! Most likely she will want you back. Those are the relationships us bloggers are trying to foster. It makes our little section of the Internet feel more like a community. I thank you for caring about quality.
I have seen the quality you have on your blog and you are welcome to GP here anytime.
~Allie
Allie created this awesome post: Blogging Success: Failure Is Success
Hey Chrysta,
You have to send me the link to your guest post
I would love to stop by!
Hajra created this awesome post: Will they call you over for a bloggers party?
Chrysta,
Ditto on Hajra’s comment. Send me the link also.
~Allie
Allie created this awesome post: Blogging Success: Failure Is Success
Sorry Allie.
Learning from mistakes is great way to learn. I totally agree on having some sort of relationship with the blogger himself. It doesn’t have to be directly, but like you said, commenting, sharing, and liking his posts is an indirect way. It might not seem like a big deal, but who knows!
Give only your best to fellow bloggers. That is what I talked about in my article. Successful companies only give their best. Why not you do tha same?
Thanks!
Samuel created this awesome post: What Bloggers Can Learn From Tha Superbowl!
Samuel,
I think it really helps to be on the host’s radar. That just shows he can trust you to give him great content.
You are right, always give your best.
~Allie
Allie created this awesome post: Blogging Success: Failure Is Success
Agree with you, You should build a strong relation(as a blogging friend
) with site owner. This way you are not only taken seriously but sometimes your low quality post may be accepted by blog owner..
rahul roy created this awesome post: Google PageRank Update: Everything You Need To Know
Rahul,
You bring up an interesting point. If you are friends with the host they may take your less than great content. But why would you do that to him? You should be sending great work all the time. Otherwise, don’t bother. And if he takes your low quality, I would question his integrity and goals. Unless both of you don’t care to give low quality and your readers don’t mind also, but then again, I don’t think that would last.
~Allie
Allie created this awesome post: Blogging Success: Failure Is Success
Just to downgrade his/her blog so that my blog would rank higher(kidding), well my point is that he/she can’t raject your post easily..
rahul roy created this awesome post: 5 Steps to College Student Success
Rahul,
I like your sense of humor.
I get what you were saying now. It does make it harder for them to reject your post.
~Allie
Allie created this awesome post: Blogging Success: Failure Is Success
Allie, this was very honest. I have not been rejected yet but I have not posted but once. I think guest posting is a gamble because you usually do not have time to re-do the post. I was rejected by Ezinearticles a couple of times, they let me fix the errors but that is time consuming.
Michael Belk created this awesome post: Can a narcissistic manager be a good leader? What does your manger think of you?
Michael,
A rejection is hard to swallow but that does show that the host is looking for great quality. So when you are finally accepted you can be sure it is your best and that is what people will see.
Guest posting is time consuming but I know it can be well worth your time and effort.
~Allie
Allie created this awesome post: Blogging Success: Failure Is Success
I enjoyed my experience guest posting on your blog. This was my first guest post. I did some research beforehand, both on guest posting in general and your specific blog. I read that you should visit the blog on which you wish to post, and get the feel for the content.
Vibs created this awesome post: children bedroom furniture
Yes, always be sure to know what the host blog wants and follow the rules if they are posted. If they are not posted be sure to ask the host blogger questionsif in doubt of anything.
~Allie
Allie created this awesome post: Blogging Success: Failure Is Success
Hi Allie.
Sorry to hear that your guest post was rejected. I’m glad that you were honest and humble enough to share your experience. I’m sure that many would not have.
This is something of particular interest for me, as I’m just looking for information on this very subject. It will be my first time too.
Out of every positive comes a negative. Writing about your experience may help me avoid a similar error of judgement.
Thank’s for sharing with such openess and honesty.
Steve Hippel created this awesome post: WordPress Plugins For SEO
Steve,
I share when I learn. I am never afraid to tell my readers when I make a mistake as long as I try to fix it. (I actually learn that from my kids, I always tell them “as long as you try I am happy”).
I hope my error doesn’t get repeated by anyone reading this. My biggest mistake was not doing my research. You know, it doesn’t take that long. Usually bloggers have am about me, about their blog and a most popular posts section. Those are great places to start your research.
Thanks for commenting and stopping by.
~Allie
Allie created this awesome post: Blogging Success: Failure Is Success
Hi Allie,
That’s a good point. I thankfully haven’t had a guest post turned down, but I did just what you said. I made sure to stop by and comment and let myself be known several times before ever asking to share a guest post.
It’s been a while since I last did a guest post, so this was great timing to prep me once again to put myself out there and do what I can to keep from being rejected.
Bryce
Bryce Christiansen created this awesome post: Defining the Line Between Ego and Confidence
Bryce,
That is awesome that you have not been turned down. I was so hurt and angry, then I felt stupid for feeling that way, I’m such a girl, lol.
I just turned in a guest post at another popular blog. I used to comment there a lot about a year ago then I stopped commenting so much anywhere. I hope she remembers me. And like my post.
Yep, get back out there and let your talent be known.
~Allie
Allie created this awesome post: Blogging Success: Failure Is Success
For me, Rejection is test through greatness and huge success. That’s why when you received it, Don’t be sad.. Lift up your self.
Lux.12 created this awesome post: http://www.ukppiclaims.org
I will be sad if it happens again but I’ll just figure out a way to become even better at it.
~Allie
Allie created this awesome post: Blogging Success: Failure Is Success
My first guest post had been also rejected, but I already got to know why. It was one of my first posts, and it wasn’t worth to share. (I would reject it, too) But I’ve learned from the mistakes, and my second one was accepted and posted.
Catwoman created this awesome post: fogszabályozás
Catwoman,
Finally someone else that is admitting to a failed attempt at guest posting, lol.
You were brave to try when you were new but I would say that is a great excuse if you ask me. I was not new, this happened about 2 months ago. I should have known better, I rushed in. Not again.
~Allie
Allie created this awesome post: Blogging Success: Failure Is Success
Great information you share here, Allie!
As I know More rejection and failure means more perfect you becomes. I have just started guest posting. Let see how many acceptance and rejection I’ll get in future. But before submitting guest post I highly recommend be a good reader. Thanks.
~ Amit
Amit Shaw | iTechCode created this awesome post: 23 Effective Ways To Build Links For Your Website
Amit,
Very true. Failure is just saying you tried. And you get better and better at success when you know why you failed.
Good luck with your guest posts. I know you have many blog friends that would love to have your words on their blogs. I did invite you, right?
~Allie
Allie created this awesome post: Blogging Success: Failure Is Success
Nobody likes rejection, but good lesson learned about establishing a relationship. I can’t even get the GP’s done for the people who have asked, I would be dog crazy trying to just randomly sending one in to somebody else……..:).
We all know social is very fickle anyway, most of it’s not personal it’s just people not being courteous.
Thanks for sharing, even though there was pain involved.
Bill Dorman created this awesome post: Once you go black you never go back
Bill, you are the darling of the blogging world… who would reject your post
Hajra created this awesome post: Suffering from Blogging Conformity?
Bill,
I hate rejection. At first I was angry and then I thought about the fact that maybe I just didn’t write a good post. I’ll try again another time.
I’m with Hajra, who would reject you? Let us know if they do and they will be banned from social. LOL.
~Allie
Allie created this awesome post: Blogging Success: Failure Is Success
Hey Allie,
I am so sorry that happened to you. I have never had a guest post rejected because I feel I always like to play it safe. And I do get to know the blog owner before I am guest posting. Though for one I had to do major editing and I was a little unhappy with the end product myself!
It is all about knowing what the other person wants. Many suggest having a guest posting guideline and I do read that before I try to pitch in a post, but I don’t have any of my own you see! I still haven’t found the right words to put in there!
Hajra created this awesome post: Will they call you over for a bloggers party?
Hajra,
Now how did I not reply to you? That is weird. Sorry.
Exactly, I did not do my research. I feel like he knew that. I’ll go back and try again but this time with some knowledge of him and his blog to back me.
~Allie
Allie created this awesome post: Blogging Success: Failure Is Success
you made me go scared by stating that you were grammatically right in your content too…
i was planning to guest post but now i think that i might be rejected due to the reason that the blogger to whom i am writing is someone i am not acquainted with….what to do? whether to write or not?
Be sure to get to know the blogger a bit. Comment on his blog. Share his posts. read the about me and best posts sections. Then approach the blogger in a nice email.
If grammar is hard for you, practice. The Internet is full of learning tools, check out YouTube for some tutorials.
~Allie
Allie created this awesome post: Blogging Success: Failure Is Success
My first ever guest post wasn’t that long ago, but no it wasn’t rejected. You accepted it. Thanks
Alan | Life’s Too Good created this awesome post: New Year’s Resolutions… Struggling to Keep Yours? Try This Resolution Instead…
Alan,
As I recall you rejected my guest post to you but we worked it out. I did my research on your blog but I think I was just nervous about writing for someone I went blank many times while writing. Not to mention I took forever. Sorry.
I have one for you but it is more of a personal one related to Isabelle’s post about try something new for 30 days. Do you want me to send it?
And of course I won’t reject you, even though you have that funny accent and all. LOL.
~Allie
Allie created this awesome post: Blogging Success: Failure Is Success
Oh come on!
No way did I reject you – I just asked you to change it a bit – and I did say no big deal if you’d rather not, I still would have published it – so not rejection.
I wasn’t the rejection you were talking about above, was I? I hope not.
Hmm – you have me intrigued, sure send me any ideas you have – I did have something else I wanted to discuss with you but was going to wait until back from hols but if you already have an idea, then by all means just mail me
a bientot,
Alan the fussy blogger
Alan | Life’s Too Good created this awesome post: Watercress: The Forgotten Superfood
Alan,
No, you are not who I am talking about. And I take it back it was not rejected, it was reworked. I wanted to be sure you were happy.
I’ll send you a draft of what I was thinking of. Not sure if you want personal stories but it relates to her post and it is proof what she is saying works.
~Allie
Allie created this awesome post: Blogging Success: Failure Is Success
Megan,
I definitely learned my lesson. And that is so true, the more you put yourself out there, the more risk of rejection but there is also the potential for more success as you learn. Failure can be the true secret to success.
~Allie
Allie created this awesome post: Blogging Success: Failure Is Success
Thanks for sharing your lessons learned, Allie! I have some ideas for guest posts, but need to do a little more homework, first.
Michelle Agner created this awesome post: The Ultimate “Communication Horror Story” Contest
Michelle,
Thought you ditch homework when you left school, huh? Nope, it is still around online when you want to guest post. And I applaud you for doing your homework. Many guest posters don’t and it can be very frustrating to both parties involved.
Good luck with your GP’s, sounds like you are on to a great start!
~Allie
Allie created this awesome post: Blogging Success: Failure Is Success
Good stuff, Allie
Yes, interacting with the guest site and the guest owner is really important (even before you think about guest blogging at the site). I used to commit the mistake of not doing that. But, not any more (I hope, as I am trying to engage with all sites that I guest post – but in certain popular blogs – it is just hard to interact with the actual blog owner).
Thanks for the tip!
Jeevanjacobjohn created this awesome post: Guest Blog: Where Do You Guest Blog? And Why?
Jeevan,
Many large (busy) bloggers are hard to interact with, they have hundred’s of people trying everyday to get their attention. If you are going for the biggies be sure to make yourself stick out and plan to put a lot of effort into it. Think of something they want, need or missing on their site and make the proposal.
Best wishes on your journey.
~Allie
Allie created this awesome post: Blogging Success: Failure Is Success
Thank you for sharing your honest experience and reflection of why it did not go as you initially hoped. I’ve done a couple of guest posts but was asked to do so and they really liked my articles. I am not a writer by nature so if I do come up with something I am proud of, I have the inclination to want to add it to my own site. Am I greedy to want to keep my best work for myself? It’s not that I would write sub-par content for others but, on the contrary, I’d want it to be the absolute best I can deliver so as not to drag down the quality of the blog the post is being submitted to. Basically, instead of only thinking what you can gain from being featured on a ‘bigger’ blog, it’s best to first think about what that blog can gain from featuring you. You learned a vital lesson and we appreciate you sharing it with us so we don’t have to learn the hard way!
TerriAnn created this awesome post: NoJo Infant Bedding Collection, Giveaway Ends 3/11
TerriAnn,
I like what you wrote. “…instead of only thinking what you can gain from being featured on a ‘bigger’ blog, it’s best to first think about what that blog can gain from featuring you.” That should be the bottom line shouldn’t it? I mean we do gain from guest posting but really, we should also be concentrating on helping the host blog be better also.
That is why I approached you. (Did I ever respond? I am a few weeks behind on emails.) I thought it would be fun for me and interesting for your readers. Your response was very respectful and I admire that. Funny, I haven’t stopped by in a few, I bet it’s because you think I got rejected. Nope, just very busy this week. I’m not going anywhere.
~Allie
Allie created this awesome post: Blogging Success: Failure Is Success
The thing is when you ask someone that you want to write an article as a guest blogger, most of them suspicious. As you said, built a trust, leave constructive comments and then ask.
Shalu Sharma created this awesome post: 1. Describe Bihar in 10 words or less.
Shalu,
Thank you so much for supporting my blog, I have seen your comments a lot.
True. I don’t feel comfortable approaching someone if they have never seen me before. And if they know you, they may be quicker to say yes and/or work with you if something needs work.
~Allie
Allie created this awesome post: Blogging Success: Failure Is Success