More Ways to Get Inbound Links, Part II

Last time I talked about some quick ways to establish some inbound links to help your website. This time, I’m continuing with that. These methods that I’m going to talk about are a little slower in effectiveness. While the first set of ideas dealt with getting inbound links set up quickly, these are more concerned with addressing your target audience.

Remember that there are three steps that underlie all of internet marketing. First, to identify your audience, to know who you’re trying to market to. Second, to find where they already are on the ‘net. Search out the blogs they read, the forums they participate it, the sites they explore. Third, to get links to your site visible in those locations. If you follow those three steps, your traffic will grow and your website will prosper.

So, first of all, you’ll think about who you’re trying to market to, and you’ll find out what websites they’re already surfing. Then follow these suggestions:

1. Write An Article, Submit It To Other Sites

What does your audience want to learn about? What information (not just products) are they looking for? What problem is out there that your product solves? Take the answers to these questions and write an informative article around them. Make it about 750-1000 words long, and make sure that it’s filled with good, relevant keywords.

Then, go and find articles directories on the ‘net and submit your article to them. One to try is ezinearticles.com, but there are many other. Just go to google and search for “Articles Directory”. Once your article is accepted, they’ll make it available at their site, including a link to your site. Right away, that gives you a linkback. In addition, if anyone comes to the directory and uses your article in their site or their ezine, you get more inbound links.

Don’t just wait for the directory to distribute your article. Go out and find sites and blogs that are of interest to your audience. Offer your article to them, in exchange for a linkback.

2. Reciprocal Linking

Reciprocal linking is simply the act of exchanging a link. You link to me, and I’ll link to you. This is often looked down on in promotional circles, claiming that it has a lessened impact on the search engines. While this may or may not be true, I, myself, get a lot of traffic from my reciprocal inks. The key is to exchange the links with relevant sites, not just anyone. Remember: Find your audience!

3. Post Relevant Comments On Relevant Blogs

Find blogs that are of interest to your audience. An easy way is to do a search for your site’s theme or focus with the word “blog” after it. For example, you might search for “fishing blog” or “skydiving blog” or whatever. Then, start visiting and reading the blogs that appear in that list. You might also check out the blogs that each blogger is linking to, because they’ll probably be similar in subject matter.

While you’re there at a blog, read a couple of postings. If one of them inspires a thought, post it as a comment on the blog entry. Most blogging systems have the ability to input a URL with the comment, so use your website. That’ll create an inbound link.

Now, don’t just go to blogs indiscriminately leaving comments. At the very least, they’ll get deleted. Rather, post thoughtful comments on relevant blog postings. Add value to the conversation.

4. Post Relevant Comments In Relevant Web-Based Forums

Website-based forums are a little trickier to find. Most of them are a part of someone’s website. So, while you’re out surfing for reciprocal links, look for the word “forum”, or “bulletin board”, or maybe “message board” on someone’s website. Click in and check it out. If you can add to the conversation, do it, and have your website address in your message, establishing an inbound link. Remember, always make it relevant!

5. Write About Someone Else, Then Tell Them

If you find a cool website that you know will be of interest to your audience, write about it and post that in your own site or your own blog. Include a link. But don’t stop there. Go back to the site and tell them that you wrote about them. It’s a good bet that they’ll be excited to see someone else writing about them, and they’ll link back to your site telling their visitors, “Check out our review at such-and-such.com!”

Most of all, as you’re out on the ‘net, just keep looking for ways to share your site with others.

Mark is the co-director of http://seotrafficmagnet.com, the search marketing consulting arm of Clickincome (http://clickincome.com). Mark also has other sites and blogs, including MarkHansenMusic.com and his MoBoy blog.