Feedback on linking strategy

[GardenBeet]

The amount of requests I get for links is mind numbing. Yet few respond to my request for blog submissions. What is going on?? People want links yet they dont want to write - its not that hard!

Rather than ignore all these requests for links i have decided to write the articles for anyone who now requests a link on my website (providing I like the site and its related to my niche area).

I charge £9.99 to cover my admin (It will need to go up). I do not want any links back I just want inspiration to write and unique content for my website.

So these are my questions to link builders - what do you think? Would you be interested now all the hard work has gone?

SEO experts - is this risking my overall site strength?

[PeterAlexLeigh]

Google are against paid links, they've said so on many occasion, and it could appear that this is what you are openly offering, so you may want to bit a little wary of this.

Obviously you're not just accepting a paid link however; you're writing the content for people who want a link as well and this may well appeal to lazy SEOs, but surely by doing it yourself you may be missing out the diversity that you achieve by other people writing for you.

Do you still accept free guest posts for people who bother to write content?

[CraigAddyman]

I am not really getting it????

Why are you linking out to sites when you are writing the content? The whole point of having guest writers is to add more content to go along side your own content.

If someone can't be bothered to write a good piece of content for your site then don't link to them unless you think it helps your readers.

[GardenBeet]

mmmm ...i hear you regarding google's policy

lazy SEO's seem to breed in my inbox, junk email and now in my spam filter

guest posts welcome

[GardenBeet]

Craig - I am shocked to hear that you dont get it? Surely I am not the only one who has this issue?

Of course I get blog requests but I get 20 x more link requests.

[CraigAddyman]

If someone wanted a link from my site and wasn't willing to provide content they wouldn't be getting a link.

If it's something that I might actually like to link to then I'd expect the relationship to have started a different was rather than a direct request without content.

You have to remember it is a trade they are getting a link and you are getting added value to your site also.

[GardenBeet]

what i am trying to do is 'make the trade happen' - if they wont write it - well my counter offer is 'you pay me and I'll write it'

[CraigAddyman]

Maybe upping your admin fee will help encourage them to write the content but really they are just paying for a link

[PeterAlexLeigh]

I'm surprised that people ask you for a link and then can't be bothered to write the content. That's like catching a fish, but then throwing it back in because you couldn't be bothered to pull it all the way up.

I like your logic on setting this up, but I would definitely be a little wary. You don't want your links being devalued.

Aside from that, do you fancy an article on how a loan can help with garden improvements or is that too far off niche for you?

[GardenBeet]

ok - so you also reakon its black hat  -

[CraigAddyman]

There is a fine line.

All I'm saying is any time wasters not wanting to contribute to your site doesn't deserve a link unless of course you want to link out to someone who will benefit your readers.

[PeterAlexLeigh]

Felicity, I wouldn't necessarily bunk it in the black-hat category, but it's certainly grey.

Clearly you're not just offering a paid link, you're also creating some content, which is good.. But your site is making it clear that the user is paying for a link within a blog article.

Your site clearly isn't spammy and it's got a good general feel to it. As to whether google would penalise your outbound links (if they happened to come across your site), not sure. It's not like your putting links up for who-ever wants them, as you're also seeking a degree of relevancy. Tough one to call

[CraigAddyman]

Hahahaha never miss an opportunity!!

Thumb up for that lol

[PeterAlexLeigh]

haha, always worth a go!

[GardenBeet]

ha Shelly love your segue - now this is an interesting issue indeed - a garden as an investment - yes - all for it - a garden can be an extension to the living areas of a house....there has been a transition in people's approach to outdoor space and the spend - totally in my niche - would love it -

felicity@gardenbeet.com

[GardenBeet]

ahh ..people who ask for links are probably not the people reading my blog...which is where I ask for the blog submsisions ...but having said that I have had a blog submission heading on the top menu since february - the text only changed today - it use to make a strong plea for articles...

..all my submissions come through networks i have established ..usually tweeter ...so perhaps i am not on the radar...........

[PeterAlexLeigh]

I'll write something up and get it over to you

[PeterAlexLeigh]

That's probably a good thing, making a strong plea for articles can give off the wrong impression and potentially put people off making them. People may question why you are so keen for articles.

[GardenBeet]

ha ...maybe but guess what ??? I have had 5 requests for articles in the last 4 hours ........maybe people are just lazy !!!

[PeterAlexLeigh]

I think you've tapped into a nice new form of business there