When going about asking a site for a link on their page, how do you ask?

[trevorhall89]

I have not had much success emailing out asking for links from other peoples sites and was wondering how people do this effectively.Also how do you send the emails out, any programs to make this any easier?

Any help is greatly appreciated

[vdms]

Create interesting, original, and compelling content.

Then, send links to that content to other bloggers, editors, etc. (individually and personally) along the lines of:

"Hey Richard, I saw your article back in December about blue widgets, and so I thought you might find my new blue widgets infographic interesting. I was quite surprised by the results of my analysis - the key takeaway in my mind, while surprising, is that investment in blue widgets begins generating ROI up to three times faster than investment in red widgets.

_I'd love to get your feedback, because I'm considering turning this into a regular series. _

Have a nice weekend, Trevor."

In my view, there aren't shortcuts to links that have significant value.

[Cyle]

Trevor,

It sounds like you are having trouble with the outreach part of Link Building.  Here is a great WBF video that Tom did back in February on this topic: http://www.seomoz.org/blog/outreach-for-linkbuilding-whiteboard-friday

Also, remember in general when link building you have to give something away to get something in return.  You have to figure out ways to help that site (webmaster) out and build a relationship with them. Find broken links, refer great content that would help there site, things like this.  There are tons of SEO's out there that have the "me first" mentality and that will not take you very far.  Build the relationship then pitch.

Good Luck

[EGOL]

First find sites that are ALREADY linking out to great content on the web.  These could be...

• bloggers who point to great content in their niche

• academic sites that link to informative content on a specific subject

• industry sites that link to news and inventions

• local sites that link to developments in their community

• hobby sites that link to information about materials and how-to-do-it

Know where your links might come from before you create the content.  Then create content that soundly better than what they are already linking to.

Then make the request.  You will probably get the link.

[SteveOllington]

Do something that involves them so they get something out of it, i.e. praise them in some way then let them know there's a page on the web praising them... they're likely to link to that so others can see as it gives them boasting rights

[SteveOllington]

I just posted this same link in another similar thread and I think it will help here too: http://www.seobook.com/art-pitching-email

[SteveOllington]

^^ Why the thumbs down?? Who would give a thumbs down for that post?? Some odd people out there!

[DanDeceuster]

The key is to build relationships, not links. I wrote a YOUmoz post about this in great detail, but they are taking their sweet time to post it (that means you seomoz community managers!)

If you are only in it for the links, people will know, and they won't care, because every email they get is a link exchange. If you are in it to try and build a mutually beneficial relationship over time, people are more interested. Think of how you can actually partner with someone and synergistically bring more value to both of your websites

[Cyle]

yeah i saw that, so i gave you a thumbs up. Your respons was great btw, maybe it was a miss click.

[Dan-Petrovic]

Spot on. This is what I was going to write - but there you have it. Online (much like in real life) is all about connections and relationships - and if they are genuine they will provide value that goes beyond SEO.

[Dan-Petrovic]

And if you don't get a link? Nevermind. You end up with a great piece of content that will likely attract a non-negotiated link anyway.

[SteveOllington]

Thanks I didn't notice I got one too, I just saw that EGOL got one for his response which was a good response.

[Gaveltek-173238]

If you can add value by creating a relationship between to the two brands and are not solely interested in gaining rankings. That is how you win with LinkBuilding. Remember one well placed link can deliver convertible clients, as opposed to tire-kickers, etc... Quality over quantity. If you are able to build the link, be sure to run them through your social media channels, just to show them you are willing to drive traffic in their direction as well. Social media is very easy to track, just a helpful hint!

[MarieHaynes]

I like the idea of using the words, "I was quite surprised by the results of my analysis"...kind of makes the person reading the email want to check out your site.   I'm going to use this phrase when I finish my next bit of link bait.

[onlinemediadirect]

Real life realtionships = very good long lasting links in my experience. Another great thing is to start offering a blog creation service to your clients. Then you could perhaps suggest to customers in relevant areas to trade links on there blogs.

[SeoStallion]

I think the long and short of it is that there is no easy way. Establishing a solid web presence is the only way to capture the golden links (other than partaking in punishable activities). If you create useful enough content that people see you as an authority in that field then you will get high ranking natural links.

If you don't have the time to create the content you could consider paying for the articles to be written. A friend of mine has made a business out of paying a small amount of money per article featured on his web development blog and then selling advertising space.

[SEOTeam35]

you have to have a right approach before approaching for links...first of all identify the blogs in your niche or related niches by going through Google blogs, forums, technorati, blogroll, wefollow, search, competitor links etc , organize the contacts in spreadsheets with names,email,phone number, mozrank etc of the site, introduce yourself to the website or blogger,, establish relationship and give some kind of incentive to the blogger either with free promotions, offers, content etc and build relationship with the blog owner or website for long term and lastly they become your regular linkers to your campaign....repeat and rinse the process every month....

important thing to remember when approaching to blogger or site owner...be transparent, authentic, state your intent etc...follow them on twitter, comment on their blog etc....

[Marcus_Miller]

EGOL gets 3 thumbs down here, which seems crazy to normal, sane, experienced SEO's and just people in general who are benefiting from free advice and consultation.

But, I figure there are those out there that don't like this answer,  not because it is wrong, but because it is not easy. So, they are not thumbing down the user so much as they are thumbing down the fact that there is not a $99 tool that will get you all the back links you want without having to make any friggin' effort.

Haters always gonna hate!

[EGOL]

But, I figure there are those out there that don't like this answer,  not because it is wrong, but because it is not easy. So, they are not thumbing down the user so much as they are thumbing down the fact that there is not a $99 tool that will get you all the back links you want without having to make any friggin' effort.

Thank you Marcus.  I enjoyed your answer!

I actually got a chuckle out of the thumb downs.  Those folks will never have a site with thousands of kickass links.

More for the rest of us!   

[damon1212]

I'm learning that there are no shortcuts.  So many people think that because "it's the internet" that "there must be an app for that".

Elbow grease.  The Original App.