I have 2 friends who have recently started blogs. They both have created a certain amount of content. In a way this is the easy part because anyone can write articles. The art of blogging is getting links to what you have written, so you will get reasonable Google Rankings.
These are some of the suggestions to Get Links
Write Articles For Ezines
Write articles of 400 words include a link to your site at the bottom and submit to ezinearticles.com. There are many others, but, this is the best. These articles should not be on your blog, but written specifically for the ezine. You don’t want to spend along time writing these articles, but, they want to be good enough so other sites will copy and give you more links. Use article titles like 10 tips for getting links. More on ezine articles here. e.g. vary the link text. The benefits of ezines may have become devalued because everyone is doing it these days. Therefore, don’t rely on this strategy.
Get to Know Other Bloggers in Your Niche.
Look at other bloggers in your niche. In particular look at blogs at a similar stage of development. It is more difficult to get links from a top blog, but, easier to develop relationships with blogs of a similar stature.
- Leaving comments,
- Linking to them
- Dropping an email
All these will get the blogger interested in your blog. If he likes your blog and you have good content, the above strategy’s may result in links. However, I would point out I never expect links from other bloggers. I never ask for them directly. Think about building relationships rather than just a mindset of ‘getting links’
Linkbait.
Linkbait is an article that is unique, highly interesting or something people will love. As a new blogger, you may not appreciate what link bait is. For example, this post is not linkbait. It is not exactly the first article on getting links on the internet… However, if you had an interview with a celebrity in your field on your blog, that is unique – it is a first. People will be interested in viewing it. Another strategy is to get collections of photos which are particularly interesting for your blog. After writing the linkbait, you need to let people know about it. Email specific bloggers (it is of course helpful if you already have some relationship). Also this is something not to overdo.
The second thing, is to mention it on a forum in your niche. This can work if you know the forum members will really like the content. If it is unrelated or selling a product, it is dangerous. It also helps if you have contributed to the forum in other ways than promoting your own content. If the content is really good, it can lead to appearing on several forums and blogs. Getting several links like this is definitely worth the effort of creating superior content and the effort of letting people know.
Blog Catalogues
Mostly a waste of time. Although for a new blogger, a few might be worthwhile. In particular look for niche specific catalogues.
Blog Carnivals.
A good way to get links. If you link back to the carnival and select a few other entries, it may encourage people to to the same to you. Blog carnivals
Where Do Competitors get links from?
You could look and see where other blogs get their links from them and see whether you can get one also.
Wikipedia
Wikipedia links are nofollow so don’t help google rankings. But, one or two might be useful for driving traffic. As long as you have good content related to the page an external link should survive. If it doesn’t no harm.
Look around
Many other opportunities for getting links will appear the more you get to know your niche.
Build Up RSS subscribers.
A long term strategy is to encourage a loyal readership and RSS subscribers. The more RSS subscribers you have the more chance of getting links unasked for. This is the best long term strategy. people will subscribe to a blog which offers compelling reasons to subscribe
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3 comments ↓
Just a note about wikipedia: The official policy is not to include blogs.
I found this out the hard way, when links to a very relevant, unique, on-topic, and detailed tutorial were removed.
This was done not for content, in fact the content was praised by those removing it. But, based on the official policy, blog posts are habitually removed by the wikifolk.
Meanwhile, I have a couple of links from before this incident that remain. They also are very relevant tutorials.
Ever since being bombarded with the link removals and learning that it’s against the policy, I’ve stopped suggesting my blog links to wikipedia.
(It’s important not to anger the tireless people who take on the editing and “cleaning up” of wikipedia articles. They have long memories and seemingly unlimited time to root out anyone who disobeys.)
Thanks Juggling Frogs, that’s an interesting comment.
These articles are of utmost importance but can u please tell me of some automated software that could make links to my blog automatically…!
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