Inviting a guest blogger

billy the squid

I have been tinkering with the idea of inviting guests to write articles for The Limerick Blogger, namely local public figures and politicians, especially with Limerick's boundary extension debate and the run-up to next year's General Election.

The question I have is, what way would you phrase a letter to people you would wish to invite, keeping in mind that they may not be familiar with blogging.

So does anyone have any ideas or experience with issuing invitations like this?

thanks.

damien

Liken the blog to an online newspaper with built in letters to the editor under the article. I think it's a smashing idea. Love your blog and the Limerick coverage.

billy the squid

Thanks for the reply and the compliments on the blog. although the credit for that should also go to the other contributors.

your suggestion gave me the following idea for an invitation.

Dear (person's name)

I run the internet blog "The Limerick Blogger," which can be found at www.limerickblogger.org. The site is an online blog which covers local news and events in both Limerick city and county.

A blog is a little like an online newspaper, except instead of us having a "letters to the editor" section, visitors to the site can comment on individual articles. Their comments appear linked to each article.

I would be interested in your views on [subject matter] and would ask if you would like to write an article on the subject.

If you are interested you can contact me at this e-mail address.

I look forward to hearing from you

signed
etc etc.

do you think that looks a bit lame. I don't really want my invitation to be a long winded affair.

damien

Talk yourself up!

I wouldn't mention it being a blog at all, certainly not in the first few lines. I'd also include specific reasons why you want this person to write a piece for you and why it would be of benefit to them.

I run the popular website "The Limerick Blogger," which can be found at www.limerickblogger.org. The website covers local news and events in both Limerick city and county and allows anyone online to give their input to these news items. Currently 400 people tune in on a daily basis (or 1000 on a weekly basis, change to week if numbers are not that high) to read and contribute.

As a Limerick local and one who's views are well respected in Limerick, I would like to extend an invitation for you to write a piece on your views on x,y,z. It might be a good way to extend your presence online as many Limerick ex-pats visit the site as well as blah blah blah

I'd also leave a phone number they can contact you on should they want to discuss it more. Poeple trust phone numbers more than email addresses.

billy the squid

Thanks again for the reply damien. I had never thought of the phone number.