Written on April 3rd, 2009 at 12:04 am by Darren Rowse
11 Ways to Increase Your Chances of Being Linked to By a Blogger
Today I received what seemed like a fairly generic email from the website Dummies.com. I won’t republish the email (I’m not into that) but it was a fairly generic ‘could you link to our website’ type email asking for a link because they’ve redesigned their site. It even included a suggested link/code.
My reaction was not positive – in fact within a few moments I’d tweeted that I’d had the request and wasn’t overly impressed.
This post is not about Dummies.com – it’s about asking for links.
I have no beef with Dummies – they produce some great books by some amazing authors. This post isn’t about them. It’s about asking for links.
You see I get quite a few emails asking for links like the one from Dummies but they’re not always from big well known brands, they’re more often than not emails from bloggers. In 99% of cases the email ends up in my trash folder in Gmail but occasionally I not only read the emails but I link to the persons site.
Why do some emails generate links and others don’t?
Following are 11 suggestions for those wanting to email a blogger to ask for a link (whether they be big brands or bloggers):
- Write something worth linking to – this is a no brainer but so many people don’t get it. In the same way you wouldn’t successfully pitch a TV news service or newspaper a story like ‘I’ve got a newly designed website – it’s got videos’ you’re not likely to get much success with a blogger. The best way to get the attention of a blogger is to write something useful, entertaining, controversial, helpful, informative, intriguing…. etc. Check out my series on LinkBaiting for more ideas on this (particularly the post 20 Link Baiting Techniques).
- Suggest a Link to a post not your site – don’t ask for a link to your site – suggest that they check out a link to an individual page or post that you’ve written. A blogger is much more likely to run with a story linking to a post about a specific topic relevant to their topic than adding a link to your site.
- Develop a Relationship – cold calling a blogger that you’ve never interacted with before asking for a link is not the best way to start off a relationship. It’s like in real life – would you walk up to a stranger and immediately start asking them for favors? Get to know the blogger, their blog and let the ‘favors’ emerge out of that.
- Demonstrate Knowledge of the Blog and Blogger – building upon the ‘relational’ aspect – use the blogger’s name, show that you know what their blog is about. You don’t need to write an epic introduction that proves your knowledge – but a polite and not overly familiar approach can do you wonders. Also – introduce yourself to the blogger you are pitching to. You might feel like you know them but they could be in contact with many people – a quick reminder of who you are and what you do could help.
- Research – sometimes it can be worthwhile doing 5 minutes of research before you email another blogger. Look back over their last few months of blogging. What is their topic? Do they link to other blogs? What kinds of sites/posts/topics do they link to? Do they interact in other mediums (ie perhaps Twitter could be a better place to contact them)? The more information you gather the more able you are to tailor your pitch to them appropriately.
- Add Value – a blogger is unlikely to link to you unless there’s something in it for them or their blog. I’m not talking exchanging of money or even reciprocal links when I talk about value (although for some bloggers those will be motivating factors) – I mean the page you’re asking for a link for should be something of value that will actually enhance their blog. I can only speak for myself but I know that if someone pitches me a link that I’ll link to it or at least tweet the link in a heart beat if I think it adds value to the lives of my readers or followers.
- Stay on topic – this really is an extension of a couple of the points above but it always amazes me how many emails I get for people asking me to link to their ‘golf’, ’stock market’, ‘book review’ and ‘kids fashion’ sites (they were just 4 requests that I got today alone). If you’re pitching a blogger to link to something you wrote make sure that the blog you want to appear on has relevancy to your topic. For starters it increases the chances of a link, it increases the chances of a reader clicking the link and it increases the power of the search engine juice that you’ll get from the link.
- Be selective in what you promote – we all like to think that every post we write is worthy of links from thousands of other blogs but the reality is that some are more likely to be linked to than others. Pick your very best posts to promote in this way and keep your requests to a minimum.
- Reciprocate – I want to be clear here that I’m not talking about reciprocal links. ‘Link to me and I’ll link to you’ doesn’t really hold a lot of value in SEO any more from what I can see. What I am talking about here is being willing to be generous TO the blogger and not just expecting them to be generous to you. Shane Gibson described these emails on Twitter yesterday as “we Win you Lose invitations” – I think that sums it up nicely. See the relationship as being like a bank. You’ve got to put in to get something out. If you take too much out the relationship will be bankrupt. I’m not just talking about giving the blogger links – you can reciprocate in many ways including by writing them guest posts, sending them small gifts, sponsoring a project that they’re running, promoting them to your own network…. etc
- Build on the Experience – no matter what the bloggers response is – you can learn from and build upon the experience. If they do link then there may be opportunity to deepen the relationship in some way. If they respond angrily, you probably don’t want to send them links again. If you get silence, don’t take it personally and continue to find ways to build relationships with the blogger.
- Be Link Worthy – let me emphasize this again. The best way to get linked to by a blogger is to produce a page or post that is link worthy of the link.
131 Responses to “11 Ways to Increase Your Chances of Being Linked to By a Blogger” - Add Yours
ITrush
April 3rd, 2009 12:22 am
Wow, wonderful piece.. thank you for sharing another very important tips on how to have a very good chance of being linked to by a fellow blogger.. Keep it up Darren.
Razib Ahmed
April 3rd, 2009 12:24 am
The best thing to do is not to think too getting linked. If you can write good content then some bloggers will happily link to you. I have noticed that most bloggers are not in this field full time and many of them even do not care for money. So, if there is something worth mentioning about, your blog entries will get mentioned sooner or later.
sarah mae
April 3rd, 2009 12:30 am
I would feel so slimy asking someone to link to my blog unless they were a friend! I am much more comfortable asking if I could write a guest post for them – I think it’s better exposure anyway!
Jim Lodico
April 3rd, 2009 12:32 am
I find this approach somewhat amazing. It shows a certain disrespect for blogs as a media outlet. There is no question that a placement in some blogs, this on in particular, is much more valuable then a placement in a traditional publication.
Often more so because of the ability to target a specific audience.
Pitching blogs is no different then pitching media outlets. Build a relationship and provide something of value.
If you just want a link, pay for it.
I wrote my take on pitching to blogs a while back at:
http://www.socialmarketing20.com/public-relations-blogs/
Jim
Ryan McLean
April 3rd, 2009 12:34 am
I think it is incredibly amusing that they wrote this email and it got such a negative reply from you that they ended up being linked to anyway.
Well maybe they weren’t linked to (I didn’t actually see any links), but they were certainly mentioned on your site, which will definately bring in a large amount of traffic for them.
So it goes to show that sometimes doing things poorly can actually pay off.
but apart from that fact this blog post is very good.
I think #3 – Building Relationships is the most important
I run an Make Money Online blog and I have found that I will more happily link to someone I have a relationship with than someone I don’t even know.
Thanks for the post
JR Griggs
April 3rd, 2009 12:36 am
Well, I guess technically they did get a link, or at least a mention from you. lol.
pablofranzo
April 3rd, 2009 12:39 am
This is a great post that confirms that nowdays blogging seems like a really long race. So you have to love it or you will drop it in the close future. I started my blog about 2 weeks ago and my motivation is on the sky. Hopefully I´ll be able to come back to this post in a year and tell you a success story.. ;).. Thank you for the great blog. If any of you is a busy parent you may want to check my blog: http://www.papabusy.com
Todd Borst
April 3rd, 2009 12:42 am
Hey, their thoughtless request resulted in a thoughtful article for us to read. No complaints here.
Sunil Pathak
April 3rd, 2009 12:43 am
I Agree with Sara
Guest post is batter exposure, it provides you an opportunity to show what you have to offer, what you do best. and how it can help other,
while link back from big blogger is good, but if you need real traffic and loyal readers then guest post is best bait.
Rehuel
April 3rd, 2009 12:50 am
Good points. I’ve wanted to be linked/mentioned on big blogs for a while, but there’s one thing I always keep in mind: Is what I’ve written attractive/unique enough to have the blog owner even READ it, let alone mention it.
Until then I subtly “stalk” them, get close to them, make sure they see the mention of my name often enough, so when I DO request some attention, I won’t be a “stranger”.
Barry Wright, III
April 3rd, 2009 12:53 am
I feel the same way about blog linking as I do about facebook friending; it should come as an afterthought to a real relationship.
When I make a friend in real life, one of us realizes at some point that our information isn’t connected through Facebook. Similarly, when I make a blogging relationship (by sharing content and value), at some point we realize our readerships would benefit from seeing each others content. It should happen organically.
Felicia - I Complete Me
April 3rd, 2009 12:55 am
This is a great post. I have been wanting to generate links to my site however I have been afraid to email or ask, because I’m not sure how to approach other sites. Thank you so much for this post.
Bible Money Matters
April 3rd, 2009 1:00 am
I love those emails – and get them almost every day. We’ve got a new product that you should link. In return we’ll link to you in this buried PR0 “link page” that no one goes to.
Network
Build Relationships
Add Value
Give without expectations of receiving!
Heather Rankin
April 3rd, 2009 1:01 am
Darren
I’ve been at this about a year and have been VERY hesitant to ask for any sort of links. The ones I do have came from folks reading the post and finding value in it. Also, as I’ve linked to a couple of “great” articles IMHO, most have reciprocated back with a link to a post at some point down the road.
My blog is rather a “niche” blog so having links all around isn’t going to help me get to my target audience. I am picking the ones I want in on :)
Thanks for the great “heads up” this morning. Cheers!
christian
April 3rd, 2009 1:05 am
Great List Darren. To me they seem somewhat obvious, but even as a small/unknown blogger, I get similar requests from those that mass-messages to every blog on the planet.
I have forgotten about the whole building links thing and started concentrating on building content and resources as if I already had a ton of traffic.
Aman@BullsBattleBears
April 3rd, 2009 1:07 am
I never thought of asking anyone to link my blog, I know people have on their own free will and am happy for that. It would be nice to have others sites link my site and would be happy, but mass emailing for links seems kinda hard to do for me personally.
Samuel McCrohan
April 3rd, 2009 1:11 am
Good points. You definitely have to offer something of value in this self-obsessed online world if you want to get far. The ironic point in this case is that you’ve actually given Dummies.com publicity in citing their misdemeanour… I myself just checked out their site! :)
Sam
RJ - Our Financial Planner
April 3rd, 2009 1:14 am
Nice work.
The 100 emails you send for one quality link is better off being spent making your site better or really networking with other sites other then through a random email.
jan
April 3rd, 2009 1:15 am
A candid look at how a blogger of your stature goes through the process of approving and disapproving requests for links. This information is very valuable, especially the crucial part about what ploy works and what drives you up the wall. Duly noted. :)
Pushkar
April 3rd, 2009 1:22 am
Well said indeed. Too high expectations wouldn’t help, instead using some sense would. The best & most often forgotten in the list is the last one — Be Link Worthy.
LGR
April 3rd, 2009 1:23 am
I get some of those types of emails every week. What is sad is the company paid someone to run a link building campaign for them and it will fall flat on it face. It just goes to show how many corporations and people do not understand the relational part of the Internet. I blame marketers :)
Dr. MIke Wendell
April 3rd, 2009 1:23 am
We get many of these as well every day. We noticed way back when that many of them are coming from the same IP address which turns out to be a marketing firm. Of course the emails never say anything about where it’s coming from. We just now block the addresses.
Michael Comeau
April 3rd, 2009 1:25 am
Thanks for the advice. I’m planning on doing interviews of other bloggers as a way to generate inbound links and interest – seems the most efficient way to do it.
Robin
April 3rd, 2009 1:32 am
My blog is still a fledgling and even though getting a link from me isn’t going to skyrocket anyone’s ranking, I have still gotten those generic link me requests. One was even riddled with spelling errors.
Click “Delete”
Ching Ya
April 3rd, 2009 1:39 am
What’s great about blogging, it’s the lessons derived from it: how to ensure the effectiveness of quality content, virtues, hardwork, relationship-building… they all made up to a successful blogging, consequently linking as well. It would be great to get mentioned in a well prestiged blog, but the process to get there is a huge lesson.
Chas Hathaway
April 3rd, 2009 1:47 am
Very useful tips. I’m glad I came across this entry – I was about to make some of the mistakes you warned us of! Thanks!
- Chas
Rank Higher, Make Money
April 3rd, 2009 1:47 am
Develop relationships with others?? What!? I don’t have time for THAT!!
(sarcasm of course)
Nice tips as always, thank you Darren
- Eric
Nicole
April 3rd, 2009 1:52 am
Wow, I feel so out of the loop lol. I’d never even thought about this before.
I would never email someone I didn’t know and ask them to link to my blog!
I’m sure that in some instances it’s great for marketing but to me it just seems just plain rude.
If someone “cold emailed” me and asked me to do it I would probably just delete the email. If it was someone that I had some kind of relationship with I would definitely take that into consideration but I believe that having content that keeps your readers coming back is what makes them link to you. And I think that’s what it *should* be. Doing it that way actually provides their readers with something useful!
This was a really fantastic post!
Muhammad
April 3rd, 2009 2:16 am
Thank you. This one was very useful.
Site Admin
April 3rd, 2009 2:31 am
I like the 11th point
[b]Be Link Worthy – let me emphasize this again. The best way to get linked to by a blogger is to produce a page or post that is link worthy of the link.[/b].
Some natural links develop when you have some worth on your page.
Parth
April 3rd, 2009 2:34 am
Nice tips here. On the topic of networking, I must say that having blog friends is probably the best thing you can do for yourself. Start talking about your topic, asking for advice. I’ve learned that people actually like it when u ask for advice and feedback.
Lee Ka Hoong
April 3rd, 2009 2:36 am
Great tips Darren! Other than these tips, I would like to add one more.
# Before asking for links, add their links first, people will be more likely to see their links up before they agree to link you too. :)
Regards,
Lee
Kayla
April 3rd, 2009 2:39 am
Good tips, I like to keep most of these in mind when asking for links. I find other bloggers asking for me to link them as well, and I seem to follow most of these rules subconsciously when determining to consider it or trash it.
Gimme A Dream
April 3rd, 2009 2:50 am
Very good post with eleven valuable tips. I have never asked for a link from someone though I have been asked. Up until recently I thought that it was king of pointless. Kind of like putting an ad by google up and expecting to get rich from it.
I know now that the SEO’s find them invaluable and reward for good links. I suspect that a link from ProBlogger would be in the excellent range.
I haven’t considered asking for links but I am going to take the information you have presented, into consideration and maybe try it a time or two.
Thanks for the tips, it is much appreciated.
Wynn Currie
Kevin Montgomery
April 3rd, 2009 2:57 am
Very good. I get those ink requests, and yes, it does give me an icky feeling.
Thanks for another great post. I don’t see how ya’ do it!!! Kevin
Unoblogger
April 3rd, 2009 3:22 am
wonderful as usual…. there are a lot of wonderful articles that you comeup with….. I wonder what your motivation is.
Bariski
April 3rd, 2009 3:27 am
Here we go. Darren! Very well said, each point reflects its own importance. I am really glad that I follow most of the points :D
I strongly agree on point 3rd of building a relationship with your readers and being specific as to what you offering.
Keep such posts coming mate. Thanks again for reminding a few new and all important points :)
Regards:
TutZone
Expert Skills for Real Estate Agents
April 3rd, 2009 3:31 am
I think the more important fact is that while Dummies may have gotten a mention, they received it at an uncalculated/unexpected cost. Many of the people reading this post will lose a bit of respect for the series, especially their website. When opinions are posted about a company in a respected source with large followings (like ProBlogger) bottom lines are affected – postively or negatively.
In the case of Dummies, they’re big enough that they will weather the opinion of this post. Smaller companies (and most blogs), however, could experience devastating effects from posts like this. And while most blogs won’t get a postive or negative mention, being a ungrateful pest won’t win you any favors in the future either.
Christina
April 3rd, 2009 3:35 am
Thank you so much for this post. I get quite a few cold-callers when it comes to linking, and I can just imagine how bad it can get for bigger bloggers.
One of my other peeves is folks who get a link from you to one of their posts, and then send you new things every day (or close to it) asking for more links. If I wanted to subscribe to their blog and link everyday, I would, you know?
Doc
April 3rd, 2009 3:36 am
Great list! I get really annoyed when bloggers I don’t even know say “can you add me to your blogroll or link to me?!?!??!” right off the bat no “Hi how are you?” or anything like that.
I won’t link to anyone on my home page, but advertisers nd myself because I run a professional blog. BUT, I am happy to give backlinks by interviewing people or accepting guest posts.
***Are links within your site just as valuable as links from the front page????????? Or is just all about the popularity of the backlink coming from that individual page?****
If anyone with some SEO sense is reading this would appreciate your knowledgeable response. Then I can tell bloggers wanting backlinks that…lol
Thanks, Doc
Jim Gaudet
April 3rd, 2009 4:12 am
Hey, can I get link please. I have a site about blah, blah, blah..
I know, I get these all the time.
Martin
April 3rd, 2009 4:13 am
Most of these suggestions are appropriate for job hunters and even marketers!
Jennifer Blanchard
April 3rd, 2009 4:15 am
Thanks for these tips, Darren! I’m almost 1/2 way thru your Problogger book, it’s awesome! Lots of great ideas. I can’t wait to start the Blog Challenge in a couple days!!
Hexahost
April 3rd, 2009 4:26 am
Linking to a Blogger happens for the content, for the reputation, for the originality. Having relevant content interrelated content helps reader to get admired and provide link. Linking between bloggers are main source of search engine traffic. It helps for the organic growth.
Happy Blogging !
Dustin@BeatingtheGrind
April 3rd, 2009 4:41 am
Interesting issue with Dummies.com. There’s nothing worse than ultra-generic emails.
Jason of learn internet marketing
April 3rd, 2009 4:43 am
Thank you for that post. The info is very useful. You have covered all aspects in terms of linking. I could never quite put it that way. But I do agree, we need to consider all these aspects to make our linking successful. and also thanks for the ethical points. Appreciate it!
More power to you
Zuri
April 3rd, 2009 4:56 am
I’d like to see how this conversation is actually broached, being a newbie and all. Is it really as plain as “Dude, link to my totally awesome post/site/etc?” Or are any of these tips listed, which can be conversely considered common sense networking, implemented, yet poorly?
Kaushik
April 3rd, 2009 5:21 am
You have some great points, and that’s why I read this blog. I was in software, and now I write about awakening through awareness and release. I don’t worry too much about marketing or the technology; isn’t it all just about content?
Robby G
April 3rd, 2009 6:04 am
Combining number 3 and 6 have the highest luck rate I believe. Nice post. I like how concise this post is mate. Nice one Darren.
Tim Scullin
April 3rd, 2009 6:18 am
Good stuff Darren. I can see how people could use these tips in sending an email to almost anyone they wanted a response from
On the Money
April 3rd, 2009 7:46 am
Spot-on post and point #2 certainly lit up a bulb in my head.
I had a US site desperate to get on my blogroll (yup, I don’t know why either) and of the 5 sites I was offered as an exchange link, I only had an interest in one … but it turned out my link would be deeply buried anyway and so didn’t warrant a space on my highly-selective roll. I nailed it shut. Point is, had we both thought about post links rather than site links, it could have worked very nicely. So thank you for your post and #2 in particular.
All the best. 8-)
needmoney.com
April 3rd, 2009 8:41 am
Good advice, but the approach you’re advocating is ridiculously time-consuming and, I believe, only likely to be marginally more successful than the scattershot approach.
Marija
April 3rd, 2009 8:55 am
I could give a link to this post every time I get such emails. :) You’ve written my thoughts.
Sjay
April 3rd, 2009 10:03 am
This is nice.
Why you should visit my blog?
I think if you have a good reason to convice people to come to your blog. You solve these issues.
I think after Darrens 31 day to build a better blog I will find couple of good reasons why you should visit my crazzycool blog.
Thanks darren for all these tips and tricks.
Sjay
Eric Schechter
April 3rd, 2009 11:19 am
I can totally relate to your post. I used to have a client at my old job that really wanted to generate a lot of links to help with SEO. Unfortunately, he refused to change anything about his site and had no interest in creating (or having us create) useful content that would make the site “link worthy”. Instead, he just wanted my team to cold call and send random emails to related sites asking for links etc… 1,000 emails and 100 cold calls later, we landed 3 links. Not because we didn’t know how to do our job, but because the site stunk and no one wanted to be associated with it.
From then on, we swore we would never take on another client like that again. It just wasn’t worth our time and effort to help a site that didn’t want to help itself.
2 weeks later we landed another client in the same exact industry who had great content on their blog and was completely devoted to making it even better. Doing it the right way (developing relationships, commenting on related sites, guest posts etc…), within one month, we generated over 50 high quality (PR 3 or better) link backs.
Just goes to show you how powerful great content and the right approach is when trying to get links.
Thanks again for sharing, this post was spot on!
StocksHaven dot com
April 3rd, 2009 1:44 pm
Great post Darren, always love reading your work. I have applied most of these principles within my blog @ http://www.StocksHaven.com I have also applied to be accepted into Finance News on Google, as I saw that it can bring much generated visitors!
Kris Beus
April 3rd, 2009 3:20 pm
I got to say that point 11 is your best. I know that the old saying if you create they will come is not true, but if you do create a very high quality blog or site there is a much better chance you will get linked to. Very good post.
Solomon
April 3rd, 2009 4:06 pm
It’s a good coincidence that this post has to do with my current temptation to ask some readers to check out my blog. :) I rant on my experiences in copywriting and journey thus far.
You enumerated great points here. It’s a tricky issue to ask someone for some favour. It goes against decent behaviour. I’m also guilty of it quite a few times…
Great reminders on this crucial aspect for all bloggers !
Solomon
Alex
April 3rd, 2009 7:34 pm
Wow, great tips and tricks, because most people send mails which are deleted without being read.
Mike
April 3rd, 2009 8:06 pm
Great guide. I’m new to this and hopefully this will be a great starting point. I’m going to go and read your link baiting article now :-)
Skumar
April 3rd, 2009 8:12 pm
I totally agree with all your points Darren, its been a treat to follow your blog, you always provide such a useful tips for fellow bloggers, thanks again!
venkat
April 3rd, 2009 9:48 pm
If a blogger writes quality articles ,ohter bloggers will deintely link to that blog.
Kash
April 3rd, 2009 10:10 pm
Great Article! Loved it. I guess, they might have got at least 100 direct visits only from this article without a link!.. Lucky Them!.. :)
Agent SEO
April 3rd, 2009 11:50 pm
@venkat
I agree. If you write something worth reading, then other bloggers will appreciate and link.
On another note, asking for links is tough business and most people aren’t very good at it. What makes it difficult is trying to get somebody who is already established to link to you. That is very difficult and I think it all goes back to being worth linking to by creating good content.
Tumblemoose
April 4th, 2009 12:12 am
I kinda hate to sound like a broken record Darren but…
I really appreciate the stuff you put out. I end up using so much of it as I navigate through these (sometimes) troubled waters.
Thanks again
George
Carleen
April 4th, 2009 12:42 am
I have gotten to the point where I ignore all link requests from unknown bloggers. I get many of them and they tend to all seem insincere. I also get a number of requests from businesses who are essentially seeking free text link ads. Those get a copy of my ad rates (including my statements that I don’t run link ads without a nofollow tag).
Wendy
April 4th, 2009 1:07 am
Thanks Darren,
I’m new to the world of blogging and your advice is really useful. I’m not sure I understand why people would think you would just provide a link without a good reason beyond simply a request!
Blog Marketing Journal
April 4th, 2009 2:21 am
I think the most important factor from this blog post has to be to make something worthwhile reading. make people want to link to it.
Jake
April 4th, 2009 2:38 am
Thanks for a great post. Start my new blog last month, just the infos I needed.
I am seeing lots of spams from spammers already.
Reagan
April 4th, 2009 2:41 am
Thanks for the post. I wonder if you can explain more about “develop a relationship.” In the aim to be transparent, I shy away from the idea of cultivating relationships with the idea to promote my brand. As a PR person, not a blogger, how do you suggest I open up the lines of communication.
Thank you!
kosmo @ The Casual Observer
April 4th, 2009 4:53 am
I don’t directly “link” to any other blogs from mine, but I use blogger’s “favorite blogs” widget (or whatever it’s called) – it shows a little blurb of the recent content. I think I have 5 blogs shown. None of them asked me to do it – I did it because the blogs are good.
Suggesting a particular post is also a good entry point. I wrote an article about some good baseball web sites a while back and recently posted it as a fan post on the Rockies blog I read. I got a bunch of people to visit that page. I’m not sure if any of them will hang around, but they might.
I wouldn’t normally include a link within a comment, but I’ve probably piqued the interest of some baseball fans (my own baseball interest is easily piqued)
http://somecasualobservations.blogspot.com/2009/02/what-are-best-baseball-sites.html
Make Money Online
April 4th, 2009 4:57 am
Write something before anybody else. i.e Be the first to write about something, this way you are the source of the news.
Heather
April 4th, 2009 5:09 am
I wouldn’t be too hard on people who request links. Not that long ago, before blogs came along, sending out link requests was a normal practice. If you visit many non-blogs you will still find a Links page which many webmasters used in those days just as a place for all of those reciprocal links.
Have link requests fallen out of fashion? Sure, but maybe its just going to take some people a little time to catch up and realize that this is no longer the way to do things.
sultan
April 4th, 2009 7:27 am
Thanks for the tips, it is much appreciated.
Corina
April 4th, 2009 11:09 am
Adding value is a good point. It’s sometimes hard to figure out what is more valuable to people.
asunsun
April 4th, 2009 1:51 pm
Thanks for the tips Darren, it is always useful
Barry Smith
April 4th, 2009 3:05 pm
Darren,
Great insight but a little painful. I am NOT good at the whole relationship building with others that I’d like to ‘partner’ with… I share a lof of their ideas or links with my church and/or ministry team… but really don’t ask to connect my site with them. Partly because I’m not real positive on ‘how’ to get connected with them – and partly because I don’t want to be a schmoozer or ‘needy’ etc. Thanks for the info.
Team Nirvana
April 4th, 2009 3:06 pm
I presume that LinkBaiting does not necessarily bring out valid links as many suggest. I may be wrong, correct me in case.
But, when it comes to being linked from other’s blogs, I sincerely think that valuable content which changes the perspective or brings around the thought of the change in the point of view does bring out the expected commotion.
Another great post Darren. Thanks for sharing.
casinoslot
April 4th, 2009 3:23 pm
Ok, so the dummies should have consulted their own SEO dummy before sending out such an inane and senseless email. I can think of at least a dozen reasons they could have suggested to you for linking to them. However, now they will have to be satisfied with the immeasurable benefit they have now derived from you by merely ‘trashing’ them. You and others will now be including a link to them in addition to placing in their name in the forefront of their brains, which they can retrieve when they next require written instuctions in the form of a book.
R Kumar
April 4th, 2009 7:06 pm
Interesting post and very valuable points. Why would an established blogger or, website agree to a link exchange with you? It is only if the blogger feels that your blog is a respectable one.All of what is mentioned in this post are things that can help a blog gain respect in the blogosphere. So the bottom line is “earn respect and see links coming to you”.
Karlstadunix
April 4th, 2009 8:06 pm
thank for sharing this, im trying to developing relationship right now,,,
marl
April 4th, 2009 9:03 pm
This post is very informative, most importantly in building relationships between bloggers. Knowing who to link to is very important if their site is worth being linked to.
Thanks for this post.
Horlic
April 4th, 2009 10:12 pm
I received alot incoming msg to ask me exchange link with them. but i have deleted all of it, cos feel that are spam msg. now a bit confuse about defination of ’spam’.. anyway, this post do give me alot insipiration on blogging journey. TQ for sharing.
Omar Abid
April 5th, 2009 2:37 am
I got a link from you, just for posting a comment, you did replies for me in your next post and linked to my site with my main keywords :)
This is another idea to get links, is to write related comments
Kikolani
April 5th, 2009 6:04 am
If you post informative comments on other sites, or have an article with lots of resources from sites other than your own, you will stand more of a chance of having your article linked to by others. Both show that you are a member of the blogging community that freely shares knowledge for the good of the blogging community, which makes you more of an authority on the subject on which you focus.
~ Kristi
Kikolani
April 5th, 2009 6:06 am
@Horic, Not all link requests are spam. What you have to watch out for are sites that are not thematic with yours, and ones that do not link back. Or if they do, are they are using nofollow links, can you get to their directory from the homepage, and are they using php redirect links, which has no SEO value.
~ Kristi
Horlic
April 5th, 2009 12:11 pm
@Kikolani, TQ for your explanation, will take your advices and take action on it.
Fatin Pauzi
April 5th, 2009 2:52 pm
Now I understand why some bloggers rejected my request on asking for linking my blog. What you has exposed is very private and I don’t see any blogger do that yet. Thanks!
VlogHog
April 5th, 2009 3:46 pm
Instead of asking for a link, give a link to a blogger, Stumble them up, Twitter about the blogger, comment on the blogger’s site, follow them on Twitter etc.
Do something for someone else first.
tonic
April 5th, 2009 4:18 pm
your suggestions is helpful for me,i’m new blogger,and i try my best to Value my new blogger.
best Article，best review，best blog，so best links will come to your blog
Darth Maui
April 5th, 2009 4:39 pm
I’m going to Dummies.com now because you trashed their request.
Moise Levi
April 5th, 2009 7:08 pm
I find that bloggers like to team up with bloggers writing about a specific niche ; I wirte mostly about charts (stock market), and tend to prefer linking to other chartists
David Koh
April 5th, 2009 7:47 pm
I don’t solicit for links, rather I prefer to offer to do a guest post for them. It’s better this way as I get to promote myself as well as add value to their blogs.
Sheila Sultani
April 5th, 2009 8:13 pm
This is awesome, exactly what I was looking for.
titan
April 5th, 2009 9:48 pm
ehm. its not easy. But this is really great to have chance to get linkded from others blogger.
B Simple
April 6th, 2009 3:34 am
Thanks for the great post. Those are some really great ideas. Just today I received a generic email asking me to link to there site. At least the site was on in the same niche. But will suggest some of the tips you offered. Again thanks for the great content you provide.
Bruce Elkin
April 6th, 2009 5:46 am
I found this post very useful. It’s really common sense, but so many of us lose our common sense in our rush to get known, now. And to get more traffic to our blogs, sites, … So, I think it’s actually “uncommon sense” — a kind of meta-common sense to help us all reclaim what we’ve ignored. Thanks!
chrissy morin
April 6th, 2009 12:41 pm
Very coincidentally I am reading your “problogger” book Darren and was just reading this section before I came to read your blog. You added quite a few more points here. I especially like the point about asking for a link to a post rather than your site. I think that might lend a fellow blogger an idea to write a post about referencing your post.
Great post as always.
Geoserv
April 6th, 2009 12:53 pm
Good post but no matter what you do for some bloggers, this one included, it won’t help. No offense, I love your blog but you do very little for anyone else no matter what they do for you.
I don’t see one reply from you in the comments, doesn’t make you come across like an approachable blogger if you won’t even interact with your commentators.
I am tired of bloggers telling me what to do when they don’t even have the courtesy to reply to people.
Joe Gelb
April 6th, 2009 1:13 pm
Great post. Begging must work if someone robo emails right? Its just a numbers game!
Tweet Cashing
April 6th, 2009 2:02 pm
I think exposure matters the most. Quality content followed up with exposure helps me get links. And I get the most exposure through social networking.
Darren Rowse
April 6th, 2009 2:10 pm
Geoserv – sorry you feel that way. Happy to take the critique on board. As I DM’d you on Twitter, I do respond to quite a few of the direct questions I get here in comments but do a lot of them via email (it’s just part of the workflow that I have to help me manage the 200-300 comments a day I get on my blogs). Many do slip through though as it’s hard to keep up some weeks (for example this last week I was traveling half the week, had sick kids the other half and had a hard drive crash in the middle of it all). In the end though – I try to respond to direct questions where I can, particularly via email.
In the end though – I’m far from perfect and would love to have the ability to respond to every comment but there’s only so many hours in the day for this blogger, father and business owner.
Surender Sharma
April 6th, 2009 3:21 pm
Hi,
Yeah this is true.Why people link back? If there is nothing for them?
Every person want back links.
Tit for Tat.
Just like a Boy friend and Girl Friend.
I will for you.But I hope you will be for me.
John
April 6th, 2009 7:11 pm
Yes, the theme looks to be very polite and will surely fetch some links from the blogger. But do you think this trading of links would be efficacious in the longer run?
Geoserv
April 7th, 2009 1:01 am
Darren,
I too am a father of 2 and a blogger plus I run a couple of other sites as well, so I know what it’s like to be busy. Definitely not as busy as you though.
My point was that so many bloggers big and small give advice, and one of the biggest tips from them is that you need to interact with your users via comments.
There is nothing more frustrating than hearing that advice and then looking at blogs like this one, which is definitely one of the better ones, and seeing no interaction publicly. One than starts to wonder how does a blog that doesn’t show public interaction grow to be so big.
While quality content is a must, it is not the only factor in attracting and keeping users coming back.
While I understand your position and perhaps my original comment here and on Twitter was a bit harsh in retrospect, the frustration is still there.
Anyways, thanks for the response and I apologize for my original comment and Tweets and will make a statement on Twitter about it.
BTW…I will still be a loyal reader.
:)
Amulekone(Internet BusinessPlan)
April 7th, 2009 2:47 am
Great Ideas. Thank you very much. Will consider everything you pointed out here in all my blogs. And will keep a checklist of all your points so I can use it right away.
It is important that a newbie blogger should understand all these to be able to draw a following.
Good luck!
momstheword
April 7th, 2009 6:28 am
Wow. This is my first day reading your blog and I am already learning so much. I had no idea that people asked other people to link to their blogs. I guess it’s because a link from me really wouldn’t benefit anybody, lol!
VlogHog
April 7th, 2009 10:51 am
On my blog, I link to video from YouTube, Metacafe and LiveLeak.
I always link to the person or organization who originally posted the video.
I think this is the best way to start a two-way relationship.
Darren Rowse
April 7th, 2009 11:50 am
@Geoserv – thanks for the followup comment. I do appreciate it. No stress, I know that frustration and while perhaps your comments were a little ‘rantish’ on Twitter I think there’s some valid critique there that I do need to hear and continue to grapple with. thanks for your readership.
Hip Hop T-Shirts
April 8th, 2009 1:52 pm
As someone who runs different ecommerce sites, this is some good info! Of course, this is a little different strategy than asking to get a blog linked too, but it’s nice to know your thoughts.
Fee
April 8th, 2009 9:47 pm
Done the elevator pitch, done the list post but this one had me thinking more in-depth. My blog is a niche about a massive mountain bike ride I am about to undertake so seems only relevant to a small group of people but there may be a wider audience that might be interested. So linking to others is something to consider more seriously.
Enjoying the hints and tips so far.
Susan
April 9th, 2009 12:20 am
Came to this from the 31DBBB “promote a post” page and enjoyed these tips. I’m so over timidity. Who cares? I emailed my favorite blogger in my niche and intro’ed myself. Go me. :)
Lee Ka Hoong
April 9th, 2009 1:22 am
Darren,
I agreed these tips! In my opinion, peoples are more likely to link a “list post” instead of normal post, as long as it’s useful, then people will link it. I’m still in the learning process in this section. :)
Regards,
Lee
Affiliate Failure
April 9th, 2009 3:04 am
Developing a relationship and adding something of value to the conversation should be top points! If you’re willing to put in the time and slowly develop a digital friendship with a blogger, they are much more likely to respond and link to your content. Don’t just be another spammer filling up their inbox or tweet stream. Relevant and valuable posts are almost as important. If you have a tight connection with another blogger they might be willing to link to weaker content.
Editor
April 9th, 2009 4:16 am
Thanks for the info. Always a challenge to get someone to link in to a post. But I think I shall offer to add others links to my blog… give before get… let’s see if it works.
Ness
April 9th, 2009 5:54 am
Thanks for sharing.. Another good piece to remember!
blogmoneymania
April 9th, 2009 11:07 am
I think networking with other bloggers is a cool thing. Your blog should be worthwhile & not just a junk blog. Why wouldn’t someone want to link to someone’s blog if it has some great info or even unusual wit!
That’s what makes Twitter so interesting. You get to meet & connect with some of the most interesting people on the planet.
Of course one wouldn’t want to link to a boring stupid blog. But I read many extraordinary & beautifully designed blogs it makes me excited!
I would add a link on my blogs to other savvy blogs I admire.
Claudia
April 9th, 2009 8:27 pm
Hi Darren,
I find your tips very useful. However, as I am targeting a Spanish-speaking audience and focusing on literature at that, I fear that most of my readership will need to be built around a different range of social network sites. What do you all think?
Of course facebook, twitter and delicious are also big in Spanish, but for instance there are a number of very influential, Spanish-language only, sites like tuenti (www.tuenti.com), for teenagers under twenty years old and by strict invitation only, that I feel I am missing out – and perhaps their niche is easier to reach than the Big Ones.
Thanks for the Blog Challenge, I am enjoying and following it as best as I can (being quite the blog newbie!).
Claudia
mymytri
April 9th, 2009 11:49 pm
Really a nice post darren.It showed me different ways which i never thought of.Keep going
Stan Webb
April 10th, 2009 1:45 am
Thanks for the great post. I have only linked to others occasionally in the past; albeit, that will be an additional consideration in future.
make money on the web
April 10th, 2009 9:04 am
Thank you for sharing your great tips. Linking to others is easy but getting backlinks is quite hard. I am putting your tips to good use. Thanks to you! looking forward for more internet marketing tips!
Marcy
April 11th, 2009 5:25 am
Thank you for your information and knowledge! I am new to blogging and to get good information is very helpful. Plus I just started reading your book “Secret to blogging your way to a six figure income”.
Julie M
April 13th, 2009 3:56 am
This is good and helpful advice. I would never even think of asking for someone a link without a relationship. That is pretty bold! Networking takes common sense just as in the real world, you wouldn’t walk up a stranger at a party and just hand him your card. Maybe I just have common social sense. :)
I will keep this in mind if I ever am looking to ask someone for a link…
Magali
April 13th, 2009 10:09 am
Link juice can be as complicated or simple as you make it. Lots of new blogs start off hot, but it’s sustaining that level of interest that’s hard.
Arpi Shively
April 16th, 2009 12:32 am
I just wrote a comment on a blog that I’d really like a link to, but at the last minute, couldn’t do the ‘ask’. I felt it was too forward, even though my post is strongly relevant to her blog.
Is it better to email? (Except no contact details are given in this case).
I didn’t realise until I read your Day 3 post that it isn’t done to send your url in a comment!
NightRains
April 17th, 2009 11:19 am
I don’t ask for links in posts because there are sometimes large gaps between my posts and those gaps tend to cause me to lose readers. (so it wouldn’t be fair for me to ask for a link when I might not be available to follow it myself)
I have asked if I can post a link in the comments section of various friend’s blogs. If they say yes, I do it sparingly and thank them in the comment that has the link.
I did post 2 bulletins, a twitter tweet and a link in your forum for my list blog… so I do feel like I’ve made good progress.
Thanks.
:-)
Kimberley Payne
April 19th, 2009 11:20 am
Great ideas,
I’ve promoted my post on Twitter, Facebook, my blog and through my Yahoo Group. We’ll see soon how much traffic it generates.
Kimberley
Cathy French
April 28th, 2009 8:55 am
I am trying to catch up with the 31 days. I am stumped though. I need help in learning how to link. I am not sure how to do this. If someone can help with simple step by step instructions I would love it. Thanks
Cathy French
Joe Garvey
April 29th, 2009 4:54 am
This goes great with what we’re learning in my Message Development class. Relationships are built on trust, and to be trustworthy, you have to be credible, and to be credible, you have to research. I’m sure that sending out a batch of generic blog requests or news releases is a sure way to frustrate the recipient.
Joe
graphic design blog
May 7th, 2009 6:41 pm
this post is very useful for me. I always link to somebody blog, not their post. Thx darren!
Mikes
May 29th, 2009 12:03 pm
I am guilty of this. a lot of times i tried or attempted to ask for links and to linkback to them. thanks for the correction. I’ll focus on making each post link worthy moving forward.
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