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

[JayAdams32]

I think you'll find better success in guest blogging for links, so here's some tips on that if you decide to go in that direction... You should definitely do it manually and not try to automate the process. Personally, when reaching out to other webmasters I always keep in mind what my thought process is when people contact me about guest blogging on my site. I know when the role is reversed, the #1 thing that will cause me to delete someone's e-mail is when they spend an entire paragraph telling me how great my site is (which almost always sounds like a generic and canned message), then they pitch me a topic that's far outside the theme of my website.

There's no way that they've actually taken the time (as they say they have) to explore my site before they decided to e-mail me to help boost their SEO. That tells me they're just in it for their selves, and I'm not (nor is anyone else) going to bend over backwards for another webmaster when that person has made it clear that this process is a one-way street to them.

When you're guest blogging, you absolutely must adopt the mindset that this has to be a mutually beneficial exchange. You must want to deliver quality content to the people you're contacting, and scratch their back for them scratching yours.

When initiating contact here's what you should do:

• Keep it short, sweet, and to the point. If you're contacting high PR websites chances are they're getting tons of e-mails every day for guest blogs, so be respectful of their time.

• This part should have been listed first... Take the time to examine their website in full detail. Get to know their content, theme, writing style, etc. Pitch the right topics, be creative, and don't pitch something they already covered a bunch already.

- Instill in them confidence in your ability to deliver content that's beneficial to their website. Your e-mail should be well-written, and again you want to convey to them that you understand and respect what their site is all about

• Be personable. If you know the name of the person you're contacting, address them by their name. The more personable and specific you are, the less your e-mail will sound like a canned message.

• Read their guest posting guidelines if they have any

Some tips for finding leads:

I've found link prospector by Citation Labs to be fairly useful and you can try it out for free.

But, the tried and true way is simply going to Google and plugging in "Guest Post" + Keyword

"Guest Author" + keyword

etc

Overall, and it's worth stressing again, that the key to guest blogging is taking an approach that's mutually beneficial for all parties.

[AgentsofValue]

Well, as we all know, link building is a tedious task and you can not expect high turnouts by just sending emails that would create a 'who the hell is this?' reaction from the recipient. What I am telling is, we need to build a good relationship first before asking this favor.

Honestly, I really don't rely on email alone when requesting a link. What I usually do is that I try to interact with the site owner or administrator more often - I follow him on Twitter, Facebook, and other social account - to establish some sort of rapport before asking for a link. Also, I do not usually ask for a link on their page when I do not have anything to offer in return - guest writing works for me.

I won't recommend using any program that would automate the sending (quality over quantity) but I follow the email template for link building suggested here on SEOmoz.

By the way, have you watched this WBF episode?

using-emails-to-build-links-whiteboard-friday

[HandsomeWeb]

This answer is why I paid the $99.

I have survived in SEO with on-page optimization for years.  I never did a bunch of link-building, so Panda and Penquin never hurt me, but my competition is getting tough, and this is the kind of question I needed answered, and the kind of answer I needed.

I feel sorry for the five that thumbs down here.  They wanted the easy, no work, answer.

[LindaSchumacher]

Great point, Cyle. The reciprocity model works best, so anytime you can offer to help out in some way, you are more likely to get the results you're looking for - and to build your network and good karma.  Thanks for the reminder!

[Zoolander]

I keep mine short and sweet using passive language that talks in their perspective.  I would never title an Email "Link Suggestion" (unless that is the language on solicitation) that is too aggressive as though I am on the same level as them, I use "Link query" which is passive.

I say something like "I was wondering if you might find my website useful to link to on you webpage?" because that is talking in their perspective with the word "useful" and correlates to the thoughts of who is making the critical decision (them).

"Wondering" = passive   useful = "benificial (potentially)"    Aggressive + beneficial = worse than aggressive on its own

Onsite SEO is also offsite SEO in that a good / pretty site will be more likely to get links. Link "self momentum" would be nice, giving away free useful stuff helps, I'm doing this.  I think Justin Sanderco guitar lesson website many of his 590 root domain links are without him asking, I hate him lol.

[Tintanus]

Thumbs Up for Egol and Marcus and all the other who fight against non logical Thumbs Down. It is good that we defend each other when we deserve it. Cheers, EGOL, great answer as well. You have answered my questions as well and you always give good, profound answers !

[Twinbytes]

Excellent point and great advice earlier too.  It's true, with our busy lives, I admit I also look for shortcuts sometimes, but only when it makes sense to do so.  With SEO, I'm learning pretty quickly that there are no real shortcuts.

Once you learn the trade, you become more effecient over time and that you can consider a shortcut.  You're written once before, if you simply provide good content, you don't have to look for links, people will want to link to you.

[Moving-Web-SEO-Auckland]

As time is tight I am very selective as to what sites I target in requesting links. I do this by assessing whether I can add value to the targeted site. If so then i have a opening in engaging by Email, twitter or linkedin and striking up a conversation before requesting links.

So imo choose carefully before engaging and spending time.

[VentaMarketing]

I would not recommend asking for a link the first time you contact a person, unless you are requesting a link from an article already published about you or your company.

Instead I would first try to develop a relationship with the person who can create the link you want. Next, I would create a good reason for that person to want to link to you (content, resource, guest post, etc.). Then I would request the link in a way that seems beneficial to both you and the person (website) linking to you.

[VoteforPedro]

I really see the theme of high quality relationships and value to the person/site you want to link to.  Of all the responses, I found X-com's most interesting because you are on the other side of the fence.  You are telling us what would prompt you to accept a link.  Lets not forget that the link requires work and attention to put up.  More importantly, you are putting your reputation on the line.

I have just done an exhaustive prioritization of links for a client.  I noticed some wonderful opportunities in the top ones, not just for linking, but for partnering and for marketing programs.   I am fairly new to this side of web marketing, and think I've discovered a gold mine of ideas.  Certainly market segments are jumping out at me.

I think hard work is also a barrier to entry to the millions of SEOs who would take the automated route.  So, if you are building a quality brand for your clients, they deserve a quality method that will stand the test of time.

MY Question:  I'm wondering what you have found to be the link accept rate (%) when you are following the best in class methods we have been talking about here?