Video by Rob Somerville.
Unique Content
By far, the best link building strategy is to create great “unique” content that people want to link to.
Nobody ever said you can only place that content on one site. Use multiple pieces of internet real estate.
Always use social networking leverage (RSS and Tags).
Don’t forget media content (audio and video). YouTube, MySpace, scribd.com (like YouTube for articles).
Other people create great content, too!
It’s acceptable to comment on other great content within your niche with a link reference to your own content.
Opportunities include commenting on blogs, forums, guestbooks, and other web 2.0 sites, such as Squidoo or Hubpages.
Reciprocal Links
Seek other authority sites within your niche and request a link from the webmaster to your site. They will expect you to link to their site from your site.
Make sure you are clear about the anchor text you want them to use for the link - your umbrella phrase.
Articles and Press Releases
Articles and Press Releases are a fantastic way to distribute great content that may well be picked up by other people looking for content for their websites.
Often generates direct traffic and back-links.
They can also generate great leverage.
Directories/Search Engines
- Directories (DMOZ, Yahoo) can cost money
- Search engines
- RSS directories (RSS Submit Pro software)
- Blog Directories (imwishlist.com free products for doing this automatically)
Other Strategies
- Craigslist and other free classifieds - temporary listings
- Yahoo Answers - quality and credibility builder
- Google Groups - search by niche relevance
- Yahoo Groups - search by niche relevance
Things to Avoid
- Link forums
- Niche irrelevant websites
- linking from long deep URL’s
- linking from low authority sites
- linking from porn or gambling sites
- duplicate content (ends up in supplemental indexes on Google)
Traffic Paradox
- More “authority” links leads to greater site authority which leads to higher search engines ranking which leads to more traffic
- Some link building strategies also result in direct human traffic - that’s the cream of the crop; a real bonus
- There are other traffic generating strategies wich are not related to link-building (often gray and black hat strategies)
“Natural” Link-Building is the Goal
- Don’t spam
- Google, in particular, will penalize you for non-organic link building. The can put you in the Sandbox. Your site is indexed but you don’t show up in any search results.
- Only add 2-3 links per day per niche and no more. That will give you natural growth.
See “Encyclopedia of Free Online Advertising” on Michelle MacPhearson’s website.
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