My Link Building Strategy Good or Bad?

[azokaei]

Okay I am new to SEO and I have read a few SEO beginner guides and have been practicing SEO over time now. I am trying to do SEO for a new clients site that is  a completely new site with no MR and MT and here is my current link building strategy. Can you please review my link building plan and help me out with suggestions and corrections

1. Directory Submissions- From what I understand since the new google penguin updates this isn't as effective of a method but I am trying get high PR directory list, but  a lot of them require paid standard submission reviews, otherwise it takes 2-3 months

2. Local Directory Submissions- Such as yelp, angee's list, whitepages, and other local directories.

3. Social Bookmarking- submit links to social bookmarking sites with target keyword(s) as anchor

4. Article Writing & Submission: create articles and submit to high pr article directories with different article titles and also wanted to see different submissions I can make with each article

5. Press Releases- submit to high pagerank press release directories, also wanted to see how many submissions is generally the rule of thumb for press releases.

6. Blog Outreach for Product Reviews: Submit products to blogs with PR 2+ to get review and backlinks

7. Forum Profile Creation- create forum profiles and engage in topics with signature with a link, I understand that since the penguin update this isn't something I should emphasis on

8. Blog Commenting- comment on relevant blogs that have dofollow links and nofollow links for link diversity

9. Guest Blogging- Write unique content and outreach to related blogs for guest posting opportunities

10. .edu & .gov links- How do I gain .edu & .gov links I have read several articles and I am having a hard time understanding this concept, would commenting on .edu & .gov blogs and profiles be an effective method or the correct method for gaining these types of links?

[BlastAM]

That's quite a lengthy plan. I have no idea what the budget is, but if it isn't large I think it would be best to narrow this down to one or two methods and build from there.

Despite all the negative attention directories have been getting lately, there is still value in them. Your idea of only targeting high quality ones is good, but also make sure they are relevant (either in their total focus or at least have a very relevant category). Having to pay is a given and should be part of your budget. This can be a good, (relatively) quick-result first step if done properly.

Comments on any site, including .edu & .gov, aren't the best first line of attack. Their SEO value is very limited and it takes many to amount to anything. I'm not convinced they every really do amount to anything from a strictly SEO point of view.

Press releases also get a lot of guff, but if there's something legit to announce, then that should definitely be explored. It's all about how much real value the PR brings to readers.

[Chris.Menke]

Arash,

Go to this really cool site that organizes every Matt Cutts video according the questions they answer it's called The Short Cutts, and match your 10 points above against the video topics  in the link building catergory. Then watch this video, and then read through these posts. Then you'll want to work on revisions to your list.  It's hard work but you can do it.

[azokaei]

Thank you for the input I really appreciate it, also what are your opinions on Article writing and methods of distributions

[BlastAM]

It's hard to give specific input without knowing the client. A link building strategy, like all SEO, is something that needs to be tailored to the client. On the whole, however, with articles it's really is about quality and legitimacy.

If you write quality articles that have meaningful and useful content, then you have a better chance of getting them published on sites that will provide high link value. If you're just gaming the system and writing solely for the sake of links, then you're going to be limited to low-quality sites, which won't do a whole lot for the client.

[azokaei]

Okay based on some more reading and your guys inputs here is my revised plan for the link building campaign, the client is in the cell phone accessories field and most of the keywords are high competition

Directory Submissions (Budget=$300/ 1st mo)- Directory submissions using target anchor texts including paid directory submissions including highly authoritative directories such as yahoo and BOTW

Local Directory Submissions- Submit site with targeted anchor texts to local directories such as angee’s list, yelp, yahoo, whitepages, etc.

Blog Outreach for reviews- Contact niche blogs and relevant blogs with at least PR 2+ to do product reviews

Blog Giveaways- Create and promote a giveaway on various different related blogs and websites

Article writing/ Submission- Create 4-5 unique articles with 1-2 keyword’s target in each article of at least 500 words. High quality articles that can be used on high quality sites instead of article directories

Guest Posting- create 2-3 guest posts that can be used to distribute to high quality blogs and sites that offer guest posting

1 Press Release- Create a press release and distribute to high quality press release sites

[azokaei]

thank you so much for your input and the clarification on my whole link building plan. I revised my link building strategy, so can you please take a look at it and let me know if it is better or worse

[Chris.Menke]

Getting there. Stay away from directories where others are using targeted anchor text.

[azokaei]

Okay so stay away from any directories that other sites are using targeted keyword anchor text, So when posting links on the directories I should avoid using keyword anchors instead use the client's site or brand name correct?

[Chris.Menke]

Yep.

[WilliamCarr]

I know you said "at least 500 words", but make sure all of your articles don't have the same (or very close) word count.

This is a pattern that's likely pretty obvious to Google as there's a countless number of "SEO companies" selling 500 word articles.

In other words, a blog naturally is going to have posts with varying word counts.

[Jeepster]

Quick Q Chris, given that I found your answer at the top of this thread one of the most informative I've read in a while:
Guest blogging: does it make a difference whether the link back to my site is embedded in the article itself as opposed to in an author bio at the bottom?
Thanks

[Chris.Menke]

Jeepster, these days, forget the back link and go for the authorship markup from your bio or author page to your G+ account--especially if it's not a high quality blog your guest post is on, 'cause they're going to get dinged eventually and those back links will be worthless.  If they don't do authorship, you may think about getting the post published elsewhere.  If they're a quality blog (all posts are on-topic and they've got an active readership) it could go either way as to which is better--authorship or back link.

If you have to go with the link, go with a branded term from your bio.

[KeriMorgret]

It can make a difference to to a picky editor who is reviewing your guest post. I can't tell you how many YouMoz submissions start out with "I was talking with my coworkers at my seo company [link drop] about xyz". Both SEOmoz and the author would get called out if we published the YouMoz post like that. Those types of links get removed and the author is invited to put them in their bio.

[Chris.Menke]

Yes, you're right, there are very few legitimate opportunities to get a link back to your site from within the body a guest blog post.  However, if a resource existed on the author's site that supported the blog post and there were no other appropriate resources, would that be a case where such a link would be acceptable?

[Jeepster]

Hi Keri & Chris
Thanks for the replies.
What I'm trying to ascertain is: is a link in the body of a post more trusted by search engines than one in an author bio at the bottom of it?

[KeriMorgret]

Jeepster, that I can't say for sure. As an editor, I go for what is trusted by my readers.