Today I received what seemed like a fairly generic email from the website Dummies.com. I won’t republish the email (I’m not into that) but it was a fairly generic ‘could you link to our website’ type email asking for a link because they’ve redesigned their site. It even included a suggested link/code.
My reaction was not positive – in fact within a few moments I’d tweeted that I’d had the request and wasn’t overly impressed.
This post is not about Dummies.com – it’s about asking for links.
I have no beef with Dummies – they produce some great books by some amazing authors. This post isn’t about them. It’s about asking for links.
You see I get quite a few emails asking for links like the one from Dummies but they’re not always from big well known brands, they’re more often than not emails from bloggers. In 99% of cases the email ends up in my trash folder in Gmail but occasionally I not only read the emails but I link to the persons site.
Why do some emails generate links and others don’t?
Following are 11 suggestions for those wanting to email a blogger to ask for a link (whether they be big brands or bloggers):
- Write something worth linking to – this is a no brainer but so many people don’t get it. In the same way you wouldn’t successfully pitch a TV news service or newspaper a story like ‘I’ve got a newly designed website – it’s got videos’ you’re not likely to get much success with a blogger. The best way to get the attention of a blogger is to write something useful, entertaining, controversial, helpful, informative, intriguing…. etc. Check out my series on LinkBaiting for more ideas on this (particularly the post 20 Link Baiting Techniques).
- Suggest a Link to a post not your site – don’t ask for a link to your site – suggest that they check out a link to an individual page or post that you’ve written. A blogger is much more likely to run with a story linking to a post about a specific topic relevant to their topic than adding a link to your site.
- Develop a Relationship – cold calling a blogger that you’ve never interacted with before asking for a link is not the best way to start off a relationship. It’s like in real life – would you walk up to a stranger and immediately start asking them for favors? Get to know the blogger, their blog and let the ‘favors’ emerge out of that.
- Demonstrate Knowledge of the Blog and Blogger – building upon the ‘relational’ aspect – use the blogger’s name, show that you know what their blog is about. You don’t need to write an epic introduction that proves your knowledge – but a polite and not overly familiar approach can do you wonders. Also – introduce yourself to the blogger you are pitching to. You might feel like you know them but they could be in contact with many people – a quick reminder of who you are and what you do could help.
- Research – sometimes it can be worthwhile doing 5 minutes of research before you email another blogger. Look back over their last few months of blogging. What is their topic? Do they link to other blogs? What kinds of sites/posts/topics do they link to? Do they interact in other mediums (ie perhaps Twitter could be a better place to contact them)? The more information you gather the more able you are to tailor your pitch to them appropriately.
- Add Value – a blogger is unlikely to link to you unless there’s something in it for them or their blog. I’m not talking exchanging of money or even reciprocal links when I talk about value (although for some bloggers those will be motivating factors) – I mean the page you’re asking for a link for should be something of value that will actually enhance their blog. I can only speak for myself but I know that if someone pitches me a link that I’ll link to it or at least tweet the link in a heart beat if I think it adds value to the lives of my readers or followers.
- Stay on topic – this really is an extension of a couple of the points above but it always amazes me how many emails I get for people asking me to link to their ‘golf’, ‘stock market’, ‘book review’ and ‘kids fashion’ sites (they were just 4 requests that I got today alone). If you’re pitching a blogger to link to something you wrote make sure that the blog you want to appear on has relevancy to your topic. For starters it increases the chances of a link, it increases the chances of a reader clicking the link and it increases the power of the search engine juice that you’ll get from the link.
- Be selective in what you promote – we all like to think that every post we write is worthy of links from thousands of other blogs but the reality is that some are more likely to be linked to than others. Pick your very best posts to promote in this way and keep your requests to a minimum.
- Reciprocate – I want to be clear here that I’m not talking about reciprocal links. ‘Link to me and I’ll link to you’ doesn’t really hold a lot of value in SEO any more from what I can see. What I am talking about here is being willing to be generous TO the blogger and not just expecting them to be generous to you. Shane Gibson described these emails on Twitter yesterday as “we Win you Lose invitations” – I think that sums it up nicely. See the relationship as being like a bank. You’ve got to put in to get something out. If you take too much out the relationship will be bankrupt. I’m not just talking about giving the blogger links – you can reciprocate in many ways including by writing them guest posts, sending them small gifts, sponsoring a project that they’re running, promoting them to your own network…. etc
- Build on the Experience – no matter what the bloggers response is – you can learn from and build upon the experience. If they do link then there may be opportunity to deepen the relationship in some way. If they respond angrily, you probably don’t want to send them links again. If you get silence, don’t take it personally and continue to find ways to build relationships with the blogger.
- Be Link Worthy – let me emphasize this again. The best way to get linked to by a blogger is to produce a page or post that is link worthy of the link.
Wow, wonderful piece.. thank you for sharing another very important tips on how to have a very good chance of being linked to by a fellow blogger.. Keep it up Darren.
The best thing to do is not to think too getting linked. If you can write good content then some bloggers will happily link to you. I have noticed that most bloggers are not in this field full time and many of them even do not care for money. So, if there is something worth mentioning about, your blog entries will get mentioned sooner or later.
I would feel so slimy asking someone to link to my blog unless they were a friend! I am much more comfortable asking if I could write a guest post for them – I think it’s better exposure anyway!
I find this approach somewhat amazing. It shows a certain disrespect for blogs as a media outlet. There is no question that a placement in some blogs, this on in particular, is much more valuable then a placement in a traditional publication.
Often more so because of the ability to target a specific audience.
Pitching blogs is no different then pitching media outlets. Build a relationship and provide something of value.
If you just want a link, pay for it.
I wrote my take on pitching to blogs a while back at:
http://www.socialmarketing20.com/public-relations-blogs/
Jim
I think it is incredibly amusing that they wrote this email and it got such a negative reply from you that they ended up being linked to anyway.
Well maybe they weren’t linked to (I didn’t actually see any links), but they were certainly mentioned on your site, which will definately bring in a large amount of traffic for them.
So it goes to show that sometimes doing things poorly can actually pay off.
but apart from that fact this blog post is very good.
I think #3 – Building Relationships is the most important
I run an Make Money Online blog and I have found that I will more happily link to someone I have a relationship with than someone I don’t even know.
Thanks for the post
Well, I guess technically they did get a link, or at least a mention from you. lol.
This is a great post that confirms that nowdays blogging seems like a really long race. So you have to love it or you will drop it in the close future. I started my blog about 2 weeks ago and my motivation is on the sky. Hopefully I´ll be able to come back to this post in a year and tell you a success story.. ;).. Thank you for the great blog. If any of you is a busy parent you may want to check my blog: http://www.papabusy.com
Hey, their thoughtless request resulted in a thoughtful article for us to read. No complaints here.
I Agree with Sara
Guest post is batter exposure, it provides you an opportunity to show what you have to offer, what you do best. and how it can help other,
while link back from big blogger is good, but if you need real traffic and loyal readers then guest post is best bait.
Good points. I’ve wanted to be linked/mentioned on big blogs for a while, but there’s one thing I always keep in mind: Is what I’ve written attractive/unique enough to have the blog owner even READ it, let alone mention it.
Until then I subtly “stalk” them, get close to them, make sure they see the mention of my name often enough, so when I DO request some attention, I won’t be a “stranger”.
I feel the same way about blog linking as I do about facebook friending; it should come as an afterthought to a real relationship.
When I make a friend in real life, one of us realizes at some point that our information isn’t connected through Facebook. Similarly, when I make a blogging relationship (by sharing content and value), at some point we realize our readerships would benefit from seeing each others content. It should happen organically.
This is a great post. I have been wanting to generate links to my site however I have been afraid to email or ask, because I’m not sure how to approach other sites. Thank you so much for this post.
I love those emails – and get them almost every day. We’ve got a new product that you should link. In return we’ll link to you in this buried PR0 “link page” that no one goes to.
Network
Build Relationships
Add Value
Give without expectations of receiving!
Darren
I’ve been at this about a year and have been VERY hesitant to ask for any sort of links. The ones I do have came from folks reading the post and finding value in it. Also, as I’ve linked to a couple of “great” articles IMHO, most have reciprocated back with a link to a post at some point down the road.
My blog is rather a “niche” blog so having links all around isn’t going to help me get to my target audience. I am picking the ones I want in on :)
Thanks for the great “heads up” this morning. Cheers!
Great List Darren. To me they seem somewhat obvious, but even as a small/unknown blogger, I get similar requests from those that mass-messages to every blog on the planet.
I have forgotten about the whole building links thing and started concentrating on building content and resources as if I already had a ton of traffic.
I never thought of asking anyone to link my blog, I know people have on their own free will and am happy for that. It would be nice to have others sites link my site and would be happy, but mass emailing for links seems kinda hard to do for me personally.
Good points. You definitely have to offer something of value in this self-obsessed online world if you want to get far. The ironic point in this case is that you’ve actually given Dummies.com publicity in citing their misdemeanour… I myself just checked out their site! :)
Sam
Nice work.
The 100 emails you send for one quality link is better off being spent making your site better or really networking with other sites other then through a random email.
A candid look at how a blogger of your stature goes through the process of approving and disapproving requests for links. This information is very valuable, especially the crucial part about what ploy works and what drives you up the wall. Duly noted. :)
Well said indeed. Too high expectations wouldn’t help, instead using some sense would. The best & most often forgotten in the list is the last one — Be Link Worthy.
I get some of those types of emails every week. What is sad is the company paid someone to run a link building campaign for them and it will fall flat on it face. It just goes to show how many corporations and people do not understand the relational part of the Internet. I blame marketers :)
We get many of these as well every day. We noticed way back when that many of them are coming from the same IP address which turns out to be a marketing firm. Of course the emails never say anything about where it’s coming from. We just now block the addresses.
Thanks for the advice. I’m planning on doing interviews of other bloggers as a way to generate inbound links and interest – seems the most efficient way to do it.
My blog is still a fledgling and even though getting a link from me isn’t going to skyrocket anyone’s ranking, I have still gotten those generic link me requests. One was even riddled with spelling errors.
Click “Delete”
What’s great about blogging, it’s the lessons derived from it: how to ensure the effectiveness of quality content, virtues, hardwork, relationship-building… they all made up to a successful blogging, consequently linking as well. It would be great to get mentioned in a well prestiged blog, but the process to get there is a huge lesson.
Very useful tips. I’m glad I came across this entry – I was about to make some of the mistakes you warned us of! Thanks!
– Chas
Develop relationships with others?? What!? I don’t have time for THAT!!
(sarcasm of course)
Nice tips as always, thank you Darren
– Eric
Wow, I feel so out of the loop lol. I’d never even thought about this before.
I would never email someone I didn’t know and ask them to link to my blog!
I’m sure that in some instances it’s great for marketing but to me it just seems just plain rude.
If someone “cold emailed” me and asked me to do it I would probably just delete the email. If it was someone that I had some kind of relationship with I would definitely take that into consideration but I believe that having content that keeps your readers coming back is what makes them link to you. And I think that’s what it *should* be. Doing it that way actually provides their readers with something useful!
This was a really fantastic post!
Thank you. This one was very useful.
I like the 11th point
[b]Be Link Worthy – let me emphasize this again. The best way to get linked to by a blogger is to produce a page or post that is link worthy of the link.[/b].
Some natural links develop when you have some worth on your page.
Nice tips here. On the topic of networking, I must say that having blog friends is probably the best thing you can do for yourself. Start talking about your topic, asking for advice. I’ve learned that people actually like it when u ask for advice and feedback.
Great tips Darren! Other than these tips, I would like to add one more.
# Before asking for links, add their links first, people will be more likely to see their links up before they agree to link you too. :)
Regards,
Lee
Good tips, I like to keep most of these in mind when asking for links. I find other bloggers asking for me to link them as well, and I seem to follow most of these rules subconsciously when determining to consider it or trash it.
Very good post with eleven valuable tips. I have never asked for a link from someone though I have been asked. Up until recently I thought that it was king of pointless. Kind of like putting an ad by google up and expecting to get rich from it.
I know now that the SEO’s find them invaluable and reward for good links. I suspect that a link from ProBlogger would be in the excellent range.
I haven’t considered asking for links but I am going to take the information you have presented, into consideration and maybe try it a time or two.
Thanks for the tips, it is much appreciated.
Wynn Currie
Very good. I get those ink requests, and yes, it does give me an icky feeling.
Thanks for another great post. I don’t see how ya’ do it!!! Kevin
wonderful as usual…. there are a lot of wonderful articles that you comeup with….. I wonder what your motivation is.
Here we go. Darren! Very well said, each point reflects its own importance. I am really glad that I follow most of the points :D
I strongly agree on point 3rd of building a relationship with your readers and being specific as to what you offering.
Keep such posts coming mate. Thanks again for reminding a few new and all important points :)
Regards:
TutZone
I think the more important fact is that while Dummies may have gotten a mention, they received it at an uncalculated/unexpected cost. Many of the people reading this post will lose a bit of respect for the series, especially their website. When opinions are posted about a company in a respected source with large followings (like ProBlogger) bottom lines are affected – postively or negatively.
In the case of Dummies, they’re big enough that they will weather the opinion of this post. Smaller companies (and most blogs), however, could experience devastating effects from posts like this. And while most blogs won’t get a postive or negative mention, being a ungrateful pest won’t win you any favors in the future either.
Thank you so much for this post. I get quite a few cold-callers when it comes to linking, and I can just imagine how bad it can get for bigger bloggers.
One of my other peeves is folks who get a link from you to one of their posts, and then send you new things every day (or close to it) asking for more links. If I wanted to subscribe to their blog and link everyday, I would, you know?
Great list! I get really annoyed when bloggers I don’t even know say “can you add me to your blogroll or link to me?!?!??!” right off the bat no “Hi how are you?” or anything like that.
I won’t link to anyone on my home page, but advertisers nd myself because I run a professional blog. BUT, I am happy to give backlinks by interviewing people or accepting guest posts.
***Are links within your site just as valuable as links from the front page????????? Or is just all about the popularity of the backlink coming from that individual page?****
If anyone with some SEO sense is reading this would appreciate your knowledgeable response. Then I can tell bloggers wanting backlinks that…lol
Thanks, Doc
Hey, can I get link please. I have a site about blah, blah, blah..
I know, I get these all the time.
Most of these suggestions are appropriate for job hunters and even marketers!
Thanks for these tips, Darren! I’m almost 1/2 way thru your Problogger book, it’s awesome! Lots of great ideas. I can’t wait to start the Blog Challenge in a couple days!!
Linking to a Blogger happens for the content, for the reputation, for the originality. Having relevant content interrelated content helps reader to get admired and provide link. Linking between bloggers are main source of search engine traffic. It helps for the organic growth.
Happy Blogging !
Interesting issue with Dummies.com. There’s nothing worse than ultra-generic emails.
Thank you for that post. The info is very useful. You have covered all aspects in terms of linking. I could never quite put it that way. But I do agree, we need to consider all these aspects to make our linking successful. and also thanks for the ethical points. Appreciate it!
More power to you
I’d like to see how this conversation is actually broached, being a newbie and all. Is it really as plain as “Dude, link to my totally awesome post/site/etc?” Or are any of these tips listed, which can be conversely considered common sense networking, implemented, yet poorly?
You have some great points, and that’s why I read this blog. I was in software, and now I write about awakening through awareness and release. I don’t worry too much about marketing or the technology; isn’t it all just about content?
Combining number 3 and 6 have the highest luck rate I believe. Nice post. I like how concise this post is mate. Nice one Darren.
Good stuff Darren. I can see how people could use these tips in sending an email to almost anyone they wanted a response from