10 Versatile Link Building Strategies for Any Website [Includes Templates!]

Key Takeaways

Now we're going to talk about an exciting way to boost your visibility online: guest blogging. This tried-and-true method can open doors, and with a little creativity, we can make it work wonders for us!

1. Guest blogging tips

Guest blogging isn’t just for those who’ve received a shiny degree in marketing. Nope, anyone can jump in and pen a few words. Think of it as a friendly coffee date, where you share your knowledge, and another blog benefits in the process!

So what exactly do we do with guest blogging? Well, we write a delightful article for another website in our niche. Within that article, we link back to our own site with a keyword as the anchor text. That’s right! We sprinkle in some of our brilliance, and, poof! Backlink magic happens when the host site publishes our work. This is a savvy way to build connections to any vital page on our website, be it an eye-catching landing page or a blog post about the latest cat meme trends.

Let’s break this down further. Here’s how to land your next guest blogging gig:

Step 1. Discover websites to pitch

First off, we need to line up some blogs that would be thrilled to accept our guest posts. A little help from Google’s search operators can make this a breeze!

Try searching with phrases like:

• “write for us”
• “guest blog”
• “submit a guest post”
• “become a guest blogger”

Imagine if we’re hunting for sites focused on digital marketing. We plug in our keywords and get ready to uncover some gems!

But hold your horses! Everyone uses those search strings. So we can be clever by employing the Competing Domains feature in Ahrefs. This strategy lets us snatch up extra prospects; a true win-win!

Step 2. Generate content ideas

Next, it’s brainstorming time! Let’s find ideas that tickle the fancies of our prospective hosts. Our pitches ought to:

1. Match the vibe of the host blog.
2. Be genuinely useful for their readers.
3. Introduce fresh takes on topics they haven’t covered yet.

We might even dive into the Competing Domains feature again to unveil unique keywords that appear elsewhere but not on the target’s site!

Step 3. Craft your pitch

Time to put on our charm hats and write a compelling pitch! Our outreach should include:

• A personalized intro to warm them up.
• Three enticing ideas to give them options without overwhelming them.
• Writing samples to show we mean business.

Here's a quick template to get those creative juices flowing:

Hey [First Name],

I’d love to contribute to [Site] with a couple of ideas:

• [Article Title] – [description]
• [Article Title] – [description]
• [Article Title] – [description]

What do you think?

Step 4. Write compelling content

If we’ve made it this far, we need to knock their socks off with top-notch content! Make it engaging by incorporating anecdotes, quotes, and maybe even wacky GIFs! Keeping readers entertained is key, so sprinkle in images or videos that illustrate our points.

If we do this right, our guest post can also grace Google’s rankings—whoop whoop!

Step 5. Share the love

After publication, we don’t just sit back. Nope! We’ve got to shout it from the rooftops—well, digitally speaking, of course. Promote it via social media and even link back to it in future posts. This not only brings traffic but can solidify a fabulous relationship with our new blogging friends!

If we play our cards right, we’ll not only garner an awesome backlink but could also gain more opportunities through their network!

Now we are going to talk about a savvy way to boost traffic through list outreach, an often-overlooked tactic that can sprinkle some magic dust on our marketing efforts.

3. Using Lists for Outreach

Lists aren’t just for grocery shopping or countdowns for New Year’s resolutions; they can actually be a treasure trove for driving referral traffic. Why do folks read about the top five pizza places in town? Spoiler alert: they're hungry! Similarly, if people are engaging with list articles, they’re usually on the hunt for something special, whether it’s a product or just some useful information.

Sure, some list placements come with a price tag, but if they lead to sales, those dollars could turn into a solid investment. The process of list outreach? It’s mostly a walk in the park—minus the unexpected rain showers, of course!

Simply search Google with the term “best” followed by your product type. Voilà! There you go, a buffet of opportunities!

Here’s a little example of how to pitch your product:

• Subject Line: Quick Question
• Hey [name],
• I just read your article about [topic]—loved it, by the way!
• Since your list is filled with fantastic resources, I thought I’d introduce you to our [type of product], [product name]: [URL]
• [Pitch/description that appeals to their readers]
• If you think this would resonate with your audience, would you be able to include it in your post?
• Cheers, Nick

Now, let’s be honest; response rates can be as low as a cat’s meow, but landing even one solid placement can be a goldmine for backlinks and a boost in revenue. Remember the last time a cat pawed at a door until someone opened it? That persistence paid off in felines' favor! So, keep pushing your list outreach, and don’t lose heart if you don’t hear back immediately. Sometimes, one hit is all it takes to change the game! And who knows? Maybe your product can be the next big thing mentioned in a popular list—imagine the bragging rights!

Now we're going to explore HARO, a fantastic resource for gaining valuable backlinks that can boost your site’s credibility.

4. Help a Reporter Out (HARO)

If you’re on the lookout for link-building opportunities, HARO is a hidden gem. Picture waking up to three emails daily, brimming with questions from journalists. It’s like Christmas morning every day, minus the wrapping paper! These writers are usually from reputable sites, and if one of your responses gets picked up, they’ll credit you with a link. Talk about a great way to build some domain authority!

Once upon a time, a friend of ours stumbled upon HARO. They decided to jump in after reading about it—and trust me, their first response was *something else*! A bit like trying to make a soufflé on their first try. Spoiler alert: it went flat! But after some practice, they nailed it, landing a feature in a popular lifestyle blog. They were absolutely thrilled, doing a little happy dance around their living room—cue the confetti!

To get started with HARO, first, you’ll need to sign up at their website. Just click on “I’m a Source” and follow the instructions like a cake recipe. Once you’ve joined the fun, make sure to check your inbox at 5:45 a.m., 12:45 p.m., and 5:45 p.m. (EST). It might feel a bit obsessive, but it’s crucial to be quick on the draw!

Your inbox will look like this:

Time	Email Subject	Queries
5:45 a.m.	New HARO Queries	Journalists are seeking various expert insights.
12:45 p.m.	New HARO Queries	Fresh opportunities to contribute.
5:45 p.m.	New HARO Queries	Last set of queries for the day!

When you spot a query that aligns with your expertise, respond. Here’s a simple template to use—keep it friendly but professional:

• “[First Name], in response to your HARO – “[Query Name]”
• “Hey [Journalist's Name]!”
• “Here’s my response to your HARO query, “[Query Name]”

After that, just add your response, some info about yourself, and sign off with a warm “Cheers!” Usually, a 5-10% success rate is a sweet spot for this method!

And for an even slicker approach, have a gander at the Skyscraper Technique. Brian Dean cooked this up to gain quality backlinks through superior content. You find a popular piece, create something even better, and ask sites linking to it to swap out the link.

Brian does a stellar job explaining this. You can check out his video where he breaks everything down. And here’s a little template straight from his playbook:

• “Quick Question”
• “Hey [Name],”
• “I came across this page: [URL]”

It’s direct and to the point! Remember, though, paying for backlinks is like wearing white socks with sandals—don’t do it! Stick to ethical strategies, and you'll build a solid foundation for online visibility.

Now we are going to talk about resource pages and why they can be a delightful addition to our backlink strategy.

6. Resource Links

Resource pages are like candy shops for anyone looking to find valuable links. Seriously, they exist purely for the purpose of sharing useful information, and who doesn’t love a good link?

Imagine sitting in a café, sipping your favorite brew while browsing through a treasure trove of connections. Suddenly you spot a resource page that seems to have been crafted just for your latest article. It's like finding an old friend in a crowded room!

The best part? If our content fits well, we basically have a golden ticket to backlinks without the typical hustle. Step one? Hunt down those gem resource pages that fit our niche. They often feature headers saying things like “helpful links” or “resources you must see.” We can use Google search strings to make the hunt easier:

• Keyword inurl:resources
• Keyword “best resources”
• Keyword “helpful resources”
• Keyword intitle:links
• Keyword “helpful links”

For example, if we’re promoting an SEO guide, we’d pop “SEO” into our search string just like putting on our favorite pair of sneakers before a jog. Now we’re ready to stroll through results and select pages that look promising for our article. It’s basically like window shopping, but we’re eyeing potential backlinks instead of shoes!

Next, we’ll need the contact info of the page administrator. This part can be a doozy, but hey, no risk, no reward! We can shoot them a friendly note like this:

Hey [Name],

Hope you’re doing great! While researching [topic] today, I stumbled onto your awesome page: [Link]. I love the work you’re doing! [Add a personal touch here, like a compliment or a specific detail you liked.]

I've got a piece that I think would be a delightful addition for your readers: [Pitch/description that caters to their interests]. If it piques your interest, would you mind giving it a mention?

Cheers,
Nick

? That's all, folks! If you'd like to stretch this strategy further, give a peek at Ahrefs or check out Backlinko for some top-notch guides. And who knows? We might just find our next favorite resource page while sipping coffee! 🥳

Now we are going to talk about a nifty strategy that can really help us snag some valuable backlinks, and it comes with a dash of creativity.

7. Capitalizing on Broken Links

Ever stumbled upon a website that led you to a dead end? It’s like finding a fantastic restaurant only to discover it’s been replaced by a tire shop. Well, that’s where we come in! With broken link building, we can tiptoe around those broken pages on the internet.

It’s surprisingly simple and follows three key steps:

• Spot those broken pages with backlinks.
• Craft shiny new versions on our site.
• Knock on doors and earn those links!

Let’s break it down, shall we?

Step 1: Spotting Broken Backlinks

First off, we need to find those broken links. It’s like treasure hunting but without the maps and pirates.

One great approach is to look for resource pages packed with links. Think of resource pages as the buffet of the internet—they have everything!

Here are some nifty search strings we can use:

• Keyword inurl:resources
• Keyword “best resources”
• Keyword “helpful resources”
• Keyword intitle:links
• Keyword “helpful links”

For example, searching for “helpful links” is like walking through a library of broken dreams. But instead of tears, we find opportunity!

Once we find a promising page, let’s double-check its links. We can use the Check My Links extension. It’s like having a spotlight for those hidden broken links.

Be sure to verify that the link is indeed broken. We don't want to chase shadows!

Step 2: Create Our Knockout Page

Now that we have identified a broken link, it’s time to create our masterpiece. We can use the Wayback Machine to peek at what the old page looked like.

But we’re not here to play copycat! Let’s go the extra mile:

• Simplify it: Make it super easy to read.
• Add visuals: Spice it up with graphics and illustrations.
• Templatize: Offer handy templates or checklists to help our audience.

Creating something better than the old content makes us the heroes in this story. After all, who doesn’t love a good upgrade?

Step 3: Make the Pitch

Now comes the fun part—reaching out! Here’s a quick template we can use:

Hey [Name]!

While reading your post on [topic], I noticed you referenced a now-defunct article about [dead page publisher]: [link].

Looks like that’s out of commission!

If you’re still updating your posts, I created a guide that improves upon that advice: [link].

Hope you find it useful! Keep up the awesome work!

With a little creativity and effort, we can turn those broken links into opportunities! Who knew the internet's dead ends could lead us somewhere exciting?

Now we are going to discuss a neat little trick that can really help you get some solid visibility for your content. It’s about leveraging contextual mentions in other articles—those that dance around your topic without stepping on your toes.

Finding Relevant Mentions

Imagine you're at a party, and someone is chatting about an interesting topic related to your expertise. You lean in, nodding, and say, "Hey, I've got something to add!" We can apply that friendly tactic online, too. For example, we all may know someone who once wrote an article about copyrighting a song. It had its own flair, and while the topic tickled a similar funny bone, it didn't directly contest our beloved friend’s territory.

Reaching out to the author felt like waving a flag on the playground; it made complete sense! After all, the article lacked that little nugget of wisdom our friend had penned. Lo and behold, they happily added a link to their piece, strengthening its overall content like a coach adding a superstar player to the team.

But before diving headfirst into the digital world, we need to master a few of Google’s magical search tricks. These tools are akin to having a secret decoder ring for finding those mentions:

• “Inurl:” This tells Google to chase a specific string in the URL. Think of it like having a GPS for URLs.
• “Intext:” Ah, here we want Google to sniff out a keyword within the actual text. It's like sniffing out grandma's cookies in the kitchen!
• “Intitle:” This one asks Google to look for our keyword in the title. It's like shouting, "Hey, over here!"

To get a bit fancy, putting a minus sign (-) in front of words tells Google to keep those out of the search results. And wrapping something in quotes (“”) sends Google on a mission for an exact match, not a wild goose chase

If our topic of interest is “link building,” imagine crafting a search string like:

• Inurl:blog intext:”link building” -intitle:”link building” -intitle:”backlinks”
• Inurl:blog intext:”link building” intitle:content
• Inurl:blog intext:”link building” intitle:marketing

Once we’ve gathered our list of potential articles with contextual mentions, it's time to send off a friendly email. It might look something like this:

[Article Title]

Hey [name],

Just came across your article about [topic]. Awesome work! I noticed you touched on [topic] but didn't delve deep.

We recently published something that covers it well: [link].

If this seems like something your readers would vibe with, could you give it a mention where you talk about [topic]? That would be fantastic!

Cheers,
[Your Name]

Now we are going to talk about the delightful opportunity that podcast interviews present for creating connections and getting our brand out there.

Podcast Interviews: Building Connections and Credibility

Ah, podcast interviews! They’re like the cherry on top of the marketing sundae. Not only do they let us engage with an audience that may not know we exist, but they also sprinkle in those lovely backlinks that help our website rank a bit higher. Imagine this: You’re lounging at home, coffee in hand, and a podcast host is chatting about a topic you know and love. Suddenly, they invite you on as a guest. It feels like winning the lottery—well, the mini-lottery, but still a win!

Finding the right podcasts is as easy as pie. We can tiptoe over to Google and start our search in a way that pinpoints what we’re looking for. Simple queries can reveal a treasure trove of potential interview slots:

• Keyword site:apple.com inurl:podcast
• Keyword site:spotify.com inurl:episode
• Keyword site:soundcloud.com inurl:podcast

For instance, if someone searches "health tips" they can easily pinpoint some podcasts where they can share their insights. The beauty is in the details—after all, it's all about making connections, right?

Once we find a podcast that resonates, it’s pitch time! Here’s a friendly template we might consider when reaching out:

Subject	Content
Interview Request for [Podcast Name]?	Hey [Host's Name]! [Personalized Intro] Thought you might enjoy an interview with [Name], [Title] at [Company]. They’ve got some golden nuggets to share about [Topic] due to their [Relevant Experience]. Plus, they’ve featured on podcasts like [Podcast 1] and [Podcast 2]. Interested?

This template allows us to showcase our strengths while keeping it light and engaging. Remember, the key is personalization—no one wants to feel like just another fish in the sea!

And don’t forget, building these connections isn’t just about gaining exposure; it’s also about establishing our credibility within our field. So, who knows? A few podcast chats might lead to a following that rivals that of a rock star—well, a rock star who talks about marketing strategy instead of guitar solos, but still, it’s something! Every episode brings us closer to being that go-to expert.

In a nutshell, podcast interviews are a fantastic way to elevate our brand, make some friends in the industry, and perhaps score a few solid backlinks along the way. Let’s get out there, share our knowledge, and maybe sprinkle a bit of humor into the mix too!

Next, we’ll explore how to make waves in the world of digital PR, a strategy that can catapult brands into the spotlight if done right.

Understanding Digital PR

So, let’s chat about digital PR. It’s a lot like sharing a tasty slice of pie—everyone loves when it looks appetizing, but only if it’s worth sharing! The main aim is to make stories so juicy that big-name media outlets can’t resist picking them up.

We remember when our friend’s startup got featured in a leading tech magazine after simply sharing a quirky angle about workplace productivity. Who knew that a study revealing that more coffee leads to more emails could turn into a headline?

Here’s how we can whip up a compelling digital PR campaign:

Step 1: Crafting Your Story

When brainstorming, we should jot down 3-5 story ideas that could grab the attention of our target audience’s media outlets.

Let’s say we choose a publication like Forbes. We’d ideally want to tune into their latest trends and narratives. Perhaps link your pitch to financial trends or success stories of overcoming financial hurdles—there’s a good chance they’ll love it!

As we brainstorm, consider which emotions resonate with the audience:

• Awe 🤯
• Surprise 😲
• Anger 😡
• Anxiety 😰
• Interest 🤔

By identifying the journalists' core messages and aligning your ideas to support them, we can create that sweet spot where our stories flourish.

Step 2: Developing Engaging Content

Once we nail down our story ideas, it’s time to put on our creative hats! We'll want to publish a vibrant blog post that includes two key elements:

1. Unique graphics that present our research in a visually appealing way.
2. A detailed narrative that elaborates on our findings.

We’ve found that including around five graphics gives journalists multiple options when they cover our story, allowing for different spins that can elevate our message.

For instance, a study detailing how beer prices vary across states grabbed attention widely, featured across multiple outlets. If only our favorite pizza place could get that much publicity!

Step 3: Pitching Your Story

Crafting a pitch can feel like writing a love letter—personal and sincere but with a dash of charm! Below is a simple template:

Subject: Story Idea for [Outlet]

Hey [Name]!

We’re excited to share that our team at [Company] recently completed a study on [topic]. Here are a few insights we’d love to share:

• Insight 1
• Insight 2
• Insight 3

If you’re interested, our full study can be found here: [link]. Would you like to explore this story for [outlet name]?

If we look for a deeper understanding of how digital PR works, a good resource is this guide from Moz.

In the end, digital PR is about telling stories that matter. When done right, it's not just newsworthy; it can actually resonate and spark conversations. Let’s get our stories out there, friends!

Conclusion

FAQ

• What is guest blogging?
  Guest blogging is the practice of writing articles for other websites in your niche to boost visibility and create backlinks to your own site.
• How can I find websites to pitch for guest blogging?
  You can use Google’s search operators with phrases like “write for us,” “submit a guest post,” or “guest blog” to discover suitable blogs.
• What elements should be included in a guest blogging pitch?
  A pitch should include a personalized introduction, three enticing article ideas, and writing samples to demonstrate your expertise.
• What is HARO and how can it be beneficial for backlinks?
  HARO (Help a Reporter Out) allows you to respond to queries from journalists seeking expert insights, potentially earning backlinks in reputable publications.
• How can I use lists for outreach effectively?
  Search for lists related to your product and pitch your product to the authors, emphasizing how it can add value to their lists.
• What are resource links and why are they useful?
  Resource links are pages curated to share useful information, and getting your content featured on these pages can lead to valuable backlinks.
• What does broken link building involve?
  Broken link building involves identifying dead links on the internet, creating better alternatives, and reaching out to webmasters suggesting your resources as replacements.
• How can I leverage contextual mentions in articles?
  By identifying articles that relate to your expertise and reaching out to the authors to suggest your content as a relevant addition, you can secure backlinks.
• What benefits do podcast interviews offer?
  Podcast interviews help increase visibility, engage new audiences, and provide opportunities for backlinks to your website.
• What is digital PR and its primary aim?
  Digital PR involves crafting compelling stories to capture the interest of journalists and media outlets, enhancing brand exposure and credibility.