Written on August 26th, 2007 at 12:08 am by Darren Rowse
Link up to a Competitor
Earlier in the 31 Day Project that I’m running this month I suggested taking some time out to analyze your Blog’s Competition as an exercise to help you improve your own blogging.
In that post I wrote:
“I use the word ‘competition’ hesitantly because the thing about blogging is that those blogging on the same topics as you are potentially your biggest allies. Connect and work with your competition and everyone improves.”
I’ve previously written more on when competition is good in blogging - but today we’re going to put the theory to the test.
Today’s task in the 31 Day Project is to link to another blog in your niche - a ‘competitor’.
While linking to other blogs in your niche might seem a little bizarre to some I’ve seen it’s power many times in my own blogging and that of others. Outbound links Matter!
So here’s the task - find a way to link up to at least one other blog in your niche.
There are of course many ways to do this. I regularly do it here at ProBlogger in my speedlinking posts (random recent links) and at DPS in a similar format called Digital Photography Tips from Around the Web - but there are other ways to go about it from linking to a post someone else has written, to writing a review of the blog in question etc.
So get linking up - and let us know how it goes in comments below!
23 Responses to “Link up to a Competitor”
Jeremy
August 26th, 2007 12:51 am
Hey Darren,
Yeah, I try to give links to anyone who deserves them, even the one or two that grate on my nerves the most, =)
Lindsay
August 26th, 2007 1:11 am
O.K. I get it!
c’mon all you small business advertising and marketing gurus hit me, but only if you have something real to say, I don’t want to expose my readers to get rich quick schemes, or unproven rantings. If you really do have some gems of real life wisdom, some pragmatic problem solving or just real good ideas, I would love to link to you.
SpiKe
August 26th, 2007 1:14 am
I always do a sort of weekly recap of interesting links I’ve found from other sites in my niche. It’s a nice, easy weekend post, which I feel still provides some substance for the reader.
SpiKe
Organize IT
Sachana
August 26th, 2007 1:31 am
heylo all…. if anyone with a decent site want to put a link of my blog on ur blog/site pls do. I am also trying to improvise on the site design, as suggested by Darren, on one of his previous post. Check out the new design on http://www.poem-pleasure.blogspot.com while the old design is still on http://www.kewl-kapricornian.co.nr .
Roberta
August 26th, 2007 2:03 am
I’ve linked to two bloggers that I’ve been following closely. This is a great idea for a post.
Bozdemir
August 26th, 2007 2:43 am
Yes you are right , that will be a great way to get your blog known even by your competitors.
Sly from Slyvisions.com
August 26th, 2007 3:23 am
Hey Darren and ProBlogger readers. To answer that question, I do a similar thing to your Speedlinking, but I just call it “Quick Links”. I usually link back to articles of some of my own blog readers. If they comment on my site and leave their blog’s homepage, they are showing me another great blog to read. I then check it out, see if there’s something worth reading to for my readers, then I’ll post one of their articles on the next issue of “Quick Links”.
Sly from Slyvisions.com
Greg J. Smith
August 26th, 2007 3:33 am
I think Darren’s hesitance to use the word competition is on the money. I’ve been enjoying some very nice back and forth with blogs in my niche of late, and it gets interesting because we republish and address each others content, and often are able to bring out different qualities in the same work we are writing about. I think it is good to link to other blogs in the same niche rather than pretending they don’t exist. It communicates you view online writing as collaborative.
Jon Symons
August 26th, 2007 3:37 am
This really is a great blog building tip. If you have smart competitors they will often Digg and Stumble the posts about them. It has happened to me on several occasions. Or they may return the favor with a return link.
Allan
August 26th, 2007 4:33 am
Darren,
Your new layout looks awesome, especially after fixing the IE 6 error.
The wholesome interlinking on the Home Page, in a sytematic, orderly manner is nothing but UBER-COOL.
If you don’t mind, how big hole did this new WordPress Theme make in your Pocket?
Freddy Rodriguez
August 26th, 2007 5:02 am
This is a great tip. When you’re a generous link giver, the universe (other bloggers) finds a way to reward you.
Don’t be stingy with the outlinks though (ie. target=”_blank). There’s nothing wrong with opening links in a new window. But don’t be so afraid to lose a visitor.
If you offer good content…they’ll come back.
Tay - Super Blogging
August 26th, 2007 5:48 am
Darren,
Whenever I link to my other bloggers I don’t limit myself. Even if they are competition, if they deserve a link, I give it. Linking is a huge part of blogging and very important, so I try to do it often. Good advice. :)
Darren Rowse
August 26th, 2007 6:33 am
thanks Allan - in terms of cost. It wasn’t as much as you might think - although I’m not going to tell exact figures. A guy has to have some secrets :-)
A Taylor
August 26th, 2007 6:39 am
I agree Tay,
I have noticed in the last 2 years or so that many newer bloggers dont link…whereas olders blogs linked as par for the course 3 or 4 years ago.
Darren Rowse
August 26th, 2007 6:42 am
A Tayloy - I think you’re right.
Also - to those who are asking for links above - perhaps you need to reread the post :-)
This isn’t about getting links, but giving them. Start the ball rolling yourselves and you might find the like karma coming back at you :-)
Greg J. Smith
August 26th, 2007 7:01 am
>If you have smart competitors they will often Digg and >Stumble the posts about them.
I actually stumble material for everyone in my niche, it works out for everyone.
Sue
August 26th, 2007 10:25 am
I have linked to the only two “competitors” of any quality in my little niche. And it has brought me some referral traffic (they’ve returned the favor). I hope I’ve brought some for them. In fact, with the latest one I found and linked up with, I encouraged her to turn on commenting, just so we could communicate back and forth and watch for duplicate posts, although her take on a story might be different from mine. She’s linked to one of my posts, and I’ve linked to hers. So far, it’s worked out great. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.
Shaun Carter
August 26th, 2007 12:31 pm
Sharing readers even among competing blogs can definitely be a good thing. Many readers are only familiar with one blog over the other, but now they’ll read both!
Eliza/ BookTestOnline
August 26th, 2007 3:29 pm
Thanks Dareen for the tips.
I will give it a try over the weekend.
How great is that! - You are so honest
about what you really do.
Elizabeth G.
http://BookTestOnline.com
http://booktestonlinecom.blogspot.com
Debo Hobo
August 29th, 2007 7:30 am
I have learned to link to other blogs, but I also notice that they will either visit to see what was said and leave without even so much as a howdey do. Or they’ll leave a comment like thanks for the link, but they fail to reciprocate. I ususally stop visiting their blogs just to return the karma.
malinesky
August 29th, 2007 4:46 pm
Hi, darren! Your site is cool, when i was deciding if i will get my own site, i found your blogsite and get inspired. I am still learning how to manage my own blog, and thanks to sites like this!!! Kudos!!!
Gazzali
March 26th, 2008 12:23 am
Hello Darren
If linked to a competitor you need to write on a different aspect of the same topic. I hope i am right. In any case you are the best, darren.
cheers
gazzali
Gazzali
April 7th, 2008 1:29 pm
Hi Darren
You have opened the flood gates of bette blogging!. You are the champion.
cheers
gazzali
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