Why I Ditched Guest Blogging—and What I Do Instead (Ch 15. Build Your Audience)

Send us Fan MailPodcast Show Notes: Market Your Message Show – Chapter 15: The Guest Blogging Traffic PlaybookEpisode Summary:Host Jonathan returns from his July sabbatical to continue the "Your Message Matters" series, focusing on building your audience. This episode dives into guest blogging and, more importantly, how to leverage media mentions for explosive audience growth.Key Topics Covered:Why Jonathan takes a July sabbatical and the importance of work-life balance.The story of "Chicken Soup for the Soul" and how media mentions transformed its success.The pitfalls of traditional guest blogging: time-consuming, uncertain results, and low ROI.The smarter alternative: using media mentions to reach larger audiences with less effort.The Media Mentions Playbook:Sign Up for HARO (Help a Reporter Out):Get daily emails with journalist queries looking for expert input.Be Selective:Focus on queries that match your expertise and target audience.Craft Snappy Responses:Keep answers under 150 words, clear, and quotable.Polish Your Bio:Make it short, relevant, and include a link to your blog.Play the Numbers Game:Respond to multiple queries daily to increase your chances.Track and Follow Up:Use a spreadsheet to log submissions and follow up on potential publications.Amplify Your Mentions:Share your media mentions across social media, your website, and newsletters.Action Step:Set up your HARO account, pick 3-5 relevant queries, craft concise responses, and track your progress. Make this a daily habit to build credibility and visibility.Key Takeaways:Media mentions are more efficient and impactful than traditional guest blogging.Consistency and focus on high-impact strategies are crucial for audience growth.Leverage existing platforms to boost your authority and SEO.Connect:For more tips and resources, visit Jonathan’s blog and subscribe to the Market Your Message Show.