the future of link building: 5 principles for safe, high-impact links

The Future of Link Building:5 Principles for Safe, High-Impact Links

Presented by Nate DameFounder/President, SEOperks

Importance of Link Building

Link Building

• Still pretty important!

http://www.seomoz.org/article/search-ranking-factors

Trends

Trends

• “Unnatural links” warning in Google Webmaster Tools.

Trends

• Blog network de-indexing.

Trends

• Panda update.

http://www.seomoz.org/blog/how-googles-panda-update-changed-seo-best-practices-forever-whiteboard-friday

What do these trends mean?

• The USER is king!– Google is trying to come full circle by creating

algorithms that fully understand what people want and love online.

– Google will get closer every year.

What do these trends mean?

• Your website– Clean, trustworthy design.– Awesome, unique, STAND OUT content.– Low bounce rates, high conversion rates.

• Your link building– Get real people to talk about you.

What do these trends mean?

• The link building litmus test

Link Building: A Re-Re-Definition

Link Building: A Re-Re-Definition

• Back to basics: A link is a reference.• Does your website and blog inspire:– Mentions on other blogs and websites?– Social shares?– Real-life conversations?

5 Principles for Safe, High-Impact Links

#1: Write (lots of) Amazing Content

• In-depth how-to guides.• Authoritative roundup of resources.• Lists!• Group interviews.– Great content naturally includes outbound links

(more on that to come).

#1: Write (lots of) Amazing Content

• Embrace controversy• Be detailed (long is OK)• Spend some $$! (you get what you pay for)• Set minimum requirements for quality– 10 Super Easy SEO Copywriting Tips for Improved

Link Building (seoperks.com/copy-tips)– Are Your Titles Irresistibly Click Worthy & Viral?!

(seoperks.com/title-tips)

#2: Identify your Link Prospects

• Authoritative blogs and social influencers– In your niche/industry– Similar niches/industries– Other concerned niches

• Aim big too!

#2: Identify your Link Prospects

• Personal favorite– Search for “top KEYWORD blogs/resources”

• Used advanced search query operators• Link Prospector: Citationlabs.com/tools• Management: Buzzstream.com• Let your PROSPECTS influence your CONTENT

STRATEGY.

#3 Love your Link Prospects

• Never “cold call” for a link!• Tweet, Facebook, G+ their content• Thank them personally (email, phone call)

#4: Engage your Link Prospects

• “Can I ask your expert opinion?”• “Can I quote you on a current event?”• “What topics do you feel the industry needs

help with most?”• Group interviews• Round ups• Inclusion in other resources

#5: Ask your Link Prospects

• Suggest they “share” – never ask for a “link”• Be specific – a page the link can go on, a new

post, etc.• Love them when you ask, too!

Example Calendar

• Awesome content calendar: Ongoing• Identify link prospects: 3-4 weeks• Love and Engage link prospects: 3-4 weeks• Ask link prospects: 1-4 weeks– Coordinate with scheduled content releases

Thank You!

Nate Dame@seonate

nate@seoperks.com(312) 870-0056