I have seen a lot of debates in blogging communities regarding the benefits of being published on the Huffington Post, with most of the bloggers feeling like Huffington doesn't treat it's bloggers well since they don't pay them. At the same time, I do find that most of the bloggers who feel this way have never been published on the Huffington Post.
I've also seen some articles here and there where the writer specifically turned down the opportunity to be published on the Huffington Post because they won't write for free. These are the articles that bloggers will share amongst one another and write Huffington off.
I think all opinions and thoughts are fair, whatever they may be for each person. I personally am a blogging contributor for the Huffington Post and I view the experience very positively. I do think that it all depends on how you want to look at something. I could complain and be mad about the fact that they didn't pay me, but I don't look at it that way. I see all the other benefits.
There are three main reasons why I love being a Huffington Post contributor.
#1 - Exposure
The Huffington Post's platform is HUGE. I don't even have an exact number, but...millions. Millions, millions, and millions more than Pig & Dac gets a day.
I have gained so many loyal readers since my article You Won't Remember, But I Will was published on HuffPo. Anytime I re-share that article on Facebook, there are readers who will comment letting me know that that's the article that led them to my blog. Another one I wrote I Finally See You, Mom also brought me a lot of permanent readers who have written to let me know how much they loved it and my blog.
These readers would've likely never found me had they not been introduced to my writing on Huffington's platform. I've received hundreds of Facebook followers from just one article, and usually upwards to 100 for most of my articles they've shared.
So, they may not have paid me for my writing, but they paid me in exposure and new readers. And new readers can equal new leads and possibly new clients/buyers.
#2 - Traffic
If you have ads set up on your blog or are selling your own products, the traffic that Huffington sends to your blog can easily be converted into money. And in my experience, the Huffington traffic just keeps on coming even when I haven't posted in months.
If you look below, in my Google Analytics I have screen shot my referring traffic for the last 30 days. Huffington is number 3 and again at number 6. I last shared an article on Huffington almost 5 months ago, yet in the last 30 days, they have sent about 2,500 readers to my blog.
When an article is brand new or when Huffington has shared it on their Facebook page, or even re-shared an old article of mine on their Facebook page, I will have tons of traffic to my blog. The key is to always make sure you have links in your article that take readers back to your blog.
It kind of reminds me of my husband's job as a health insurance broker: food banks will let him come set up a table outside on their premises FOR FREE and this way he's able to be right where his ideal potential customers are. Huffington allows you to post on their site FOR FREE, and you're able to be right where your idea potential customers are. Customers that you couldn't have possibly reached without their platform.
The opportunity is what you make of it. You can be negative and pout that you're not getting a one time payment for an article you wrote, or you can see it as permanent advertisement for your brand/product on one of the biggest sites in the world. That's how I choose to see it!
#3 - Resume
Saying that you've been published on the Huffington Post just looks good on your writing resume, plain and simple. I feel it has gotten other companies and brands to take me more seriously as a writer and not just "some mommy blogger". I know personally as a reader that when I'm checking out a new blog, I have much more interest when I see they've been published on bigger sites.
The Huffington Post isn't the place to go if you're wanting a check for an article. It's where you go to set up your "for sale" sign. It's where you can collect leads, gain loyal readers, and touch people who would've never found your writing otherwise. For any business venture I will ever have, I can write an article on Huffington that would lead the ideal potential buyer back here.
If you want to make the most out of your Huffington experience, here are some tips:
- Make sure to always link back to your own blog somewhere in your article. If there's not an appropriate place to do so within the article, make sure to put at the bottom of your post in italics "This post originally appeared on Pig & Dac." This way you'll get automatic traffic back to your blog. I also put my blog's Facebook page at the bottom of each article. When I have failed to do this, I don't get any new followers.
- Share only your best work. This is so important because just being on Huffington alone isn't going to get you new readers. Your writing has to be good. I've had blogging friends NOT want to share their best stuff on Huffington because they wanted to save it for their own blog, but I've always done the opposite and I believe it's why I've had such a good experience with them and have continued traffic from HuffPo daily, even though I go months in between sharing.
- Have your blog set up to make money or to collect leads. Have ads up, or have a sales page up; make it clear for the Huffington reader to see what your blog is about and where you want them to go. Offer an incentive to sign up for your blog's newsletter so that you can make the most out of all the traffic you're getting.
So, that's my experience and thoughts on being a Huffington contributor! I hope it's been helpful, be sure to leave any questions or comments below for me, I'd love to hear them!
Jessica Dimas is the creator of "The Successful Blogger's Ultimate Tool Kit". Follow along on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated with future posts.
Tiffany @ A Touch of Grace
This is awesome Jessica. I totally agree that the exposure HuffPo gives it's writers is invaluable. There are very few places you can be published that will bring you more traffic than there.
It's not one of my goals this year, but if I write something that I feel is worthy I'd for sure submit it to them.
Jessica Dimas
Yeah, exposure is their payment!
Chelsea @ Life With My Littles
While I haven't been published there yet (still trying!), I totally see the benefits of being published! I wouldn't let any other site re-post my work for free, but like you said, the benefits are basically like payment! Thanks for sharing your view!!
Jessica Dimas
Yes, that's a good point you made because I mistakenly let several sites republish my work for free when I'd have an article go viral on Huffington, and I regret doing that. If there isn't something in it for you to make it worth all your effort, don't do it!
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom
I love Huffington Post - yes, I've had some articles not do well there but I've had some that did so well and which continually bring traffic back to my blog.
*raises hand as the person who will not put her top posts on HuffPo* lol - SEO rarely is in my favour - when I have top ranking for my personal site on a couple of articles, I admit, I greedily want to hang onto it. Guaranteed I would lose that top billing (and I have with a couple articles) if I cross publish to Huffington Post.
It took me a while to realize that everything is not always suitable for Huffington Post. That audience and the editors can be tough to crack. It has to be something special to catch their eye.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Jessica.
xoxo
Jessica Dimas
Hahaha well you aren't really greedy since it's YOUR writing. I've always seen it as they'll be led back to my blog anyway if they like the article on Huffington, plus none of the articles that I have on Huffington are my "money-makers", another reason why it's not important to me. I mean they're my top emotional posts but they aren't the ones full of affiliate links or anything 🙂
Carolina Brenes
Loved reading this! I agree you get paid in exposure and using that the right way can bring you tons of money in other ways.
That being said, I've never been published there so not even sure why I'm giving my opinion. Haha!
Jessica Dimas
Yes, exactly. I know that I've gotten sponsored opportunities out of nowhere from just being tied with Huffington. And you will be soon!!!
Alycia L
i think getting of HuffPost definitely gives invaluable exposure! I think getting on there is amazing, and sometimes, the benefits of exposure will far outweigh the benefits of a paid post! I dont know anything about it though, since i've never been published there! LOL
Jessica Dimas
Yeah, I know some Huffington contributors don't feel the same way because their post never saw much daylight but when your post does get seen, the traffic and new readers really makes it worth it!
Tabitha Blue
Totally agree!! I sent in a couple of things awhile ago and haven't tried again since, but I would take the exposure as payment for sure! 🙂
Jessica Dimas
Yes the exposure is the biggest benefit!
Tawnya
I think the exposure is enough... I feel like it's such a black hole though, I've written articles that I was SURE would get accepted and alas, I'm still not published... and now that I have two kids I find it impossible to find the time to write anything meaningful. I'm hoping that I'll start sleeping more soon and making more time to write! 🙂
Danielle @ Thrive Ministries
Thanks for this! I've been considering it but I haven't submitted anything yet. You confirmed my thoughts. The exposure can lead to income from my site which is still getting paid. And loyal readers become supports of your products.
Jessica Dimas
Yes, exactly! The exposure is definitely great! And I love too that you can also link your products to your Huffington about page.
Rockell Bartoli
Thank you for writing this Jessica! It's been about 3 weeks and my article has not been published. I sent an email to follow up and no response. I hope they are waiting for the right time to post it. My article is about positioning your teen for success in the summer. Hopefully soon...right?
Jessica Dimas
Most likely if this is your first article, they are holding it for the right time to post it. ALTHOUGH, I have heard from other Huffington contributors that their first article never got published. So, if that happens, just look on the positive side that YOU'RE IN NOW and you can submit other things that will usually always be published.
Rockell Bartoli
Thank you!
Raza
Dear Jessica
I have been a blogger with Huffington Post for past 5 years. It used to be pretty good. However, their recently introduced contributor platform is highly problematic. I am not sure whether you have tried that. It allows you to publish instantly but at the same time, your work actually can not be searched through google and nor does it actually appear on their blog.
In other words, their new platform makes submitted blogs like mere Facebook entries.
Jessica Dimas
Hi Raza, are you in our FB group for Huffpo bloggers? Someone in there shared an article about this new platform, pros and cons and steps for helping your post get noticed. I have yet to publish on the platform, personally.
Sue Michaels @ HabituallyOffTopic.com
Hi Jessica! I just got my first post published on HuffPo. Could you share the name of the facebook group? I'm a new writer looking for my tribe.
Jessica Dimas
Hi Sue, congrats and yes, you can find the group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/444506479043858/
Can't wait to see you over there 🙂
Denise
I am having issues with the contributor platform and all my articles are gone. Anyone else having issues
Maia
Hello, I am trying to figure out if it is OK to publish on Huff as well as another platform simultaneously. Forgive me if I am overlooking the answer on Huffington Post but I can't find anything about that.
The reason I ask is because I am now a contributor but have other work posted on another platform already. I'd like to put it on Huff but only if I'm not breaking any rules by doing so. the other platform's rules say I am ok to do so on their end. So now I just need to find out if ok to do on Huff. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!