Broken Backlinking

[ImprezzioMarketing]

I'm curious for those who have used broken backlinking as a tactic for clients - what % of emails do you normally get results from. For example, if you email 100 webmasters, how many would actually replace the broken link with yours?

[BradyDCallahan]

I've done this at times at pretty large volume (100s of outreach emails), and typically I've gotten about a 10% response rate. Keep in mind that didn't necessarily mean we got a link, but some type of relationship was formed, potential for the business to earn more work (better than links, btw), or something else productive. Even if it was just a citation we consider that a "win."

But some advice, do not employ this tactic at large scale unless you are in a web-saavy, tech-based industry. Online marketing, design, and photography businesses, for example, are far more likely to earn links via broken link building than a manufacturing plant. In my experience, there are just some industries this tactic is a complete and utter waste of time.

If you find success in this tactic early-on though, there are some great social tools that help you automate some of this email work. I've heard very good things about BuzzStream.

Oh, and make sure it's not your only link earning/building tactic.