This is your chance. To tell your story. To embrace your gifts. To bring hope to others.
Because this mothering thing is hard. We need each other. We need to know we’re not alone in our struggles. We need the opportunity to speak our truths and to be heard.
Do you want to take the plunge? To join the team of MothersRest guest bloggers? To give yourself the space in life to write and put a little bit of yourself out into the world?
Here’s what it takes.
Are you guest blogger material?
Can you answer YES to each of these questions?
1. Do you have something to say?
I’m guessing you’ve got this one covered. If not, here are few ideas: top 10 lists; parenting struggles and how you overcame them; your deepest, darkest secrets revealed; women’s rights; sleep tips; pretty much anything pregnancy or kid related; advice for working moms; and advice for less-than-perfect-yet-totally-killin-it-right-now moms.
The typical MothersRest reader is a working woman, aged 25-45, married with young kids. In other words, she’s me. In other words, if you think I’ll enjoy your story, the larger MothersRest audience will, too.
But wait, there’s more! We’ve even got stay-at-home-moms and homeschooling moms and moms with teenagers and moms with newborns and single moms and sometimes even a daddy or two. In other words, if you think your story is interesting, we probably will, too.
2. Do you like to write?
I haven’t ventured into podcasting yet, so until then, MothersRest is all about the written word.
And I’m an editor by trade (I teach graduate students and they see my RED pen A LOT – then later they thank me for it.) Which means you can send me your story and I’m happy to collaborate on it if you’re not sure it’s ready for the big time just yet. In fact, this is one of my favorite parts about working with guest bloggers – friendships are made over edits and tweaks! (Minus the red pen – I promise.)
3. Do you enjoy sarcasm?
This actually isn’t a requirement, but I do love a little Southern sass. Because lots of folks flock to MothersRest to feel better about life: laughter goes a long way to making that happen. This means you can write something poignant or you can test out your comedic routine. You’ll find both voices scattered throughout the blog.
4. Can you handle rejection?
I’m thinking your answer is “yes,” because parenting is a great training ground for dealing with rejection and failure.
I haven’t rejected a guest post yet, but now that I’m announcing this call for submissions, the crazies might show up. (I have, on the other hand, rejected requests from corporations and brands to post their content when they aren’t willing to pay up. Momma don’t play – you wanna advertise, you gotta pay.)
Just be warned, if I ghost on you, well, there may be another blog out there that’s better suited for what you’ve got to say.
How to be a guest blogger
Here’s what I need from you:
1. Your story
Written in 500 to 1500 words. (I’ve had posts go viral at both ends of the spectrum.) This can be a story you’ve published elsewhere – if so, you’ll need to share a link to the original one so I can tell the search engines two versions of the story exist.
2. Your contact info
Including first and last name, and email address. That way I can contact you to say, “Hooray! Your story will publish on Friday!”
I don’t include these items in your actual post – unless you want me to because you’re a celebrity. In fact, I’m perfectly happy if you want to hide behind a pseudonym online (especially if you decide to reveal your deepest, darkest secrets). But I still need your real life name so I can stalk you beforehand to make sure you’re not a serial killer.
3. Your bio
That I’ll attach at the end of your post, telling the world who you are. This includes your name/pseudonym so I can note the “author” of your post. Your bio can be fun (“lover of hamsters and goat cheese, but not goats and hamster cheese!”) or simply informative (“mother of two, enjoying life on the West Coast”).
No one needs to know the names of your actual children unless your post is about how people keep screwing up their names and it’s driving you batty. (This is legit posting material – says the lady who’s a Ginny!, damn it, not a Jennie.)
4. Your blog, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, SnapChat blah, blah, blah credentials
This is optional. I’ll pretty much include a link to anything you want, as long as it’s not some alt-right, anti-children-and-women-thing. Because MothersRest has standards.
5. A picture
Also optional. Of your cute self. Or related to your story. I can’t guarantee I’ll publish it, though, because I typically use free stock photography.
6. A title
Also optional. Feel free to suggest a title or we’ll collaborate to find something catchy and click-baity.
My commitment to you
Here’s what I’ll do with your story if it’s accepted:
1. PROMOTE IT
On Facebook. (But not on Instagram, because I quit – and couldn’t be happier.)
2. PROMOTE IT
By sharing it to 8-10 Facebook mom groups.
3. PROMOTE IT
Via the MothersRest newsletter. You can subscribe below now!
4. PROMOTE IT
On Pinterest by creating a pin for it. I’ll post that pin to the MothersRest blog post board and the guest blogger board. I will also promote it via Tailwind and 8-10 Pinterest group boards to expand your exposure.
5. Give you a by-line
You’re famous now. You should get a shout-out for it!
6. Share stats with you
So you can bask in the glory of how many people engaged with your lovely words.
Your commitment to me
Here’s what I’ll need from you if your story is accepted:
1. PROMOTE IT
On all your social accounts, including Instagram if you’re into that.
2. PROMOTE IT
Forward the MothersRest newsletter featuring your story. To everyone you know.
3. PROMOTE IT
Show off your pin on Pinterest.
4. Be a good social steward
If I tag you on Facebook, be sure to respond with a like AND a comment. Because that helps encourage Facebook to place your post in the news feeds of more of our friends. And more news feeds means MORE READERS!
Let’s do this
Here’s how to get this guest-blogging party started:
1. Pour a glass of wine.
2. Write something.
3. Send everything noted above to me at ginny@mothersrest.com.
4. Submit your work elsewhere. If you don’t hear from me within 10 days, go ahead and submit your story to another blog.
Can’t wait to hear from you!
And just think: you might get so hooked on guest blogging that you’ll want to start your own blog. For my blogging tips, check out this post – How to start a mom blog without going crazy.
Any questions? Reach out to me at ginny@mothersrest.com or on Facebook at MothersRest.
Photo credit: Photo by Radomir Jordanovic from Pexels