May 13

Written by:
2010/05/13 07:13 AM 

Speak to any SEO guru, or do some research on any SEO related web site and you will soon come to realise that there is great emphasis placed on getting inbound links.

But soliciting inbound links is very difficult. People don’t generally want to link to something that they are not in agreement with or know very little about.

People link to your blog or site as a vote of confidence. It’s a sign that they like what you write about, what you do. They endorse your work. Begging for links is not going to change that.

They generally link to you when there is some value or benefit to them. Arbitrary linking has no benefit at all.

Link First

As I said begging for inbound links is not going to get you anywhere. Link out first.

Many bloggers watch who are linking to them. Take the initiative by linking to them first before looking for any links back.

Show that you are willing to give away link luv without expecting anything in return.

This is the natural flow of linking.

Getting Noticed

Engaging with others and their blogs is a great way to get noticed. Promoting them and their site is a way of saying I’m interested in what you do and write about. I want to help promote you.

Engaging with others, linking to them in a skilful manner can often lead to a link back.

It’s the simple idea of ‘it is better to give than to receive’.

Be strategic

Just linking out for the sake of linking is not going to get you noticed. Many bloggers, especially the top bloggers get linked to often.

So be creative, come up with a good strategy. Craft a cunning eye-popping title. Good quality content.

Have something substantial to say that will reflect well on you as well as the blog you’re linking to. Add your two cents worth as they say in the classics.

Target the lesser bloggers first

Don’t try and land the big fish first. It’s like trying to catch a Blue Marlin on your first fishing trip when you haven't even caught a cold fish.

Link to the lesser well known bloggers. Just because they are not part of the select few A-listers does not mean that they are not worthy.

Now skilfully and tactfully mention to those bloggers that you have written an article and linked to them.

There are literally thousands of exceptional bloggers out there.

Use Attractive Anchor Text

Just leaving a link in your post will not cut it. Too many time people place a link like this. What does that mean, this, what is this. It means nothing to man, beast or search engine.

Rather use keyword specific anchor text like the perfect anchor text to link to.

Not only does this show the reader what the link is all about, but natural relevant anchor text is good food for search engines. Bloggers will take notice of this.

Conclusion

When you start to give unreservedly you will find that you will receive more in return.

Linking out is such an important strategy. It has more benefits than just getting inbound links in return. It boosts your credibility. Describes your neighbourhood to the search engines. You are the company you keep.

It shows that you are a willing participant of the natural link building process.

So what is your out bound link strategy like? Do you have one? Let us know what you think of linking out in the comment section below.

Related Reading:

I Dare You to Link.

Is outbound linking worthwhile? Does it add to PageRank?

How have you helped a fellow blogger this week?

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