Link Building Strategies: Leveraging Real-World Relationships

Are you ready to elevate your website’s SEO game? Well, buckle up because in this post, I’ve got the lowdown on effective tips for implementing link building strategies through real-world relationships. No fluff here—just actionable tactics that you can start rocking today. However, I must emphasize that building links this way is no overnight success story; it’s all about putting in the time and effort. But trust me, it’s the secret sauce for boosting your website’s authority and steadily climbing those search engine rankings.

If you are a small business owner and you have questions about building links through real-world relationships, there are a number of resources available to help you. You can find articles, blog posts, and even e-books on the topic. You can even keep reading to find out some of my suggestions on how to improve your SEO through link building.

Identifying Good Links in Your Professional Network

To be honest, leveraging your real-world network to build links will provide you a lot of great opportunities. Whether it’s complementary or indirectly related, anyone you would associate with in the real world can likely provide a valuable backlink for your website. In fact, the way you would judge a person to be a good person is similar to how search engines judge a website’s trustworthiness with backlinks. If you’re getting backlinks from nefarious people, odds are you will lose visibility in search results.

Here are some tips for finding good links in your professional network:

Look for businesses and individuals who are complementary to your own. For example, if you sell software, you could look for businesses that offer complementary services, such as web design or marketing.
Attend industry events and conferences. This is a great way to meet new people and build relationships with other businesses in your industry.
Get involved in online communities and forums. This is another great way to connect with other businesses and individuals in your industry.
Use social media to connect with other businesses and individuals. Follow them on social media and engage with their content.

How to Ask for a Backlink

Asking for backlinks can be awkward, especially if you’ve never done it before. Here are some tips on how to ask for a backlink:

Build a relationship first. Don’t just ask for a backlink the first time you meet someone. Get to know them and their business, and offer to help them in any way you can. Once you’ve built a relationship, it will be much easier to ask for a backlink.
Be specific about what you’re asking for. Don’t just ask for a link to your homepage. Instead, ask for a link to a specific page on your website that is relevant to the other person’s audience.
Make it easy for them to say yes. Provide them with a link to the specific page you want them to link to, and make sure it is easy for them to add the link to their website.
Offer something in return. You don’t have to bribe anyone, but you can offer something in return for a backlink. This could be anything from offering to write a guest blog post for their website to offering them a discount on your products or services.
Be polite and professional. When you ask for a backlink, be polite and professional. Explain why you think the link would be valuable to their audience, and thank them for their time and consideration.

Relationships for Strategic Link Building

Developing a long-term strategy for building links is a critical aspect of effective SEO, and building meaningful relationships is at the core of successful link-building strategies. In this guide, we’ll explore various types of relationships that can significantly contribute to your backlink profile.

Professional Connections

Industry Peers: Connect with other businesses or websites in your industry. These relationships can lead to natural link-building opportunities through collaborations, partnerships, or mutual support.
Suppliers and Partners: Your suppliers or business partners may be willing to link to your website, especially if you have a positive working relationship. This can create a network of interconnected backlinks.
Professional Organizations: Join industry-related associations or organizations. Being an active member can provide opportunities for networking and link-building within your professional community.
Customers and Clients: Satisfied customers and clients can be valuable allies. Encourage them to share their positive experiences on their websites or social media, creating authentic backlinks

Local & User Generated Relationships

Local Businesses: Establish connections with local businesses. Local partnerships and collaborations can lead to backlinks, especially if you participate in community events or joint initiatives.
Content Contributors: Collaborate with content creators in your industry. This could involve guest posting on each other’s blogs, co-authoring articles, or participating in joint content projects.

Online Opportunities

Bloggers and Influencers: Engage with bloggers and influencers in your niche. If they find your content valuable, they may link to it in their articles or share it with their followers.
Online Communities: Participate in forums, social media groups, and other online communities related to your industry. Engaging in discussions and sharing valuable insights can attract attention and potential backlinks.

Media and Education

Journalists and Media Outlets: Develop relationships with journalists and media outlets. If your content is newsworthy or relevant to their audience, they may link to it in their articles.
Educational Institutions: If your business or content has educational value, establish relationships with universities, colleges, or other educational institutions. They might link to your resources for their students.

Remember, the key to successful relationship-building for backlinks is authenticity and providing value. Instead of focusing solely on what you can gain, strive to build genuine connections and offer something of value to your network. Building relationships takes time, but this long-term strategy for building links from these close connections can be more valuable and sustainable in the long run.

What Value Should I Give to Get Others to Link to Me?

Fantastic question! Link building isn’t a one-size-fits-all game. It depends on your business’s niche, your unique value proposition, and the network of sites you’re working with. You’re the expert on your business, and the key lies in the distinct value that drove you to start it. So, reflect on what you do that brings the most positive vibes and the best return on investment (ROI).

For example, if your business falls under home services like plumbing or cleaning, leverage the opportunity to share expert tips with local news outlets and DIY enthusiasts. Provide advice that benefits homeowners, showcasing your expertise in specific areas like winterizing pipes or removing tough stains. The twist is, by highlighting your particular skill set, you’re not just offering tips; you’re establishing trust and credibility for more complex tasks.

Considering the frequency of DIY projects requiring professional intervention, it’s essential to extend your presence beyond your website. Explore platforms such as local news stations and TikTok, positioning yourself as a trusted source. Be where your audience is, ensuring that when they need services, you’re the first name that comes to mind. It’s about making waves now to ride them later, aiming for coveted links on blogs, sponsorships, or affiliate pages.

At Bird Dog SEO, we believe building relationships in order to get the best backlinks for any of our clients’ website. Part of our content strategy and link building services include creating the content that will resonate the most with influencers, bloggers, and news sites online. We strive to build content that creates a genuine connection and offers value to your network. Link building takes time, but working with us, we can help move the needle consistently.

Using Social Media for Link Building

Engage with businesses and locals through social media channels is an easy and quick way to reach out to related businesses, potential customers, and influencers. Remember to stick to the same principles mentioned earlier: maintain politeness, professionalism, and a focus on providing value. Steer clear of spammy or overly self-promotional tactics for a more effective and authentic approach.

Here are some tips for reaching out to businesses and locals on social media:

Follow them on social media. This will help you stay up-to-date on their latest news and activities.
Engage with their content. Like, comment, and share their posts. This will show them that you’re interested in their business and what they have to say.
Send them direct messages. If you have a specific question or request, you can send them a direct message. Be sure to keep your messages short and to the point.
Attend their events. Many businesses and locals host events in their communities. This is a great opportunity to meet them in person and build relationships.

Using Email for Link Building Outreach

Email is the ultimate ‘set it and forget it’ tool for outreach. Unlike social media scheduling apps like Hootsuite, email offers extensions like Gmass for reaching a broad audience in one go. But, and it’s a big but, remember to play by the rules. CAN-SPAM laws are the gatekeepers here, and they vary by country. Ignore them, and you might find yourself in a legal pickle – definitely not a line item in your outreach budget!

Here’s an example of an email template you can use when sending outreach emails to potential partners:
Subject: Action: Collaboration Opportunity

Outreach Template

Hi [Recipient’s Name],

I trust this message finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I’m reaching out from [Your Company], where we specialize in [Brief Description of Your Business].

Upon discovering your impressive website, I couldn’t help but be genuinely impressed with the valuable content and insights you consistently share with your audience. This prompted me to consider potential collaboration opportunities that could be mutually beneficial for both our audiences.

Presently, we’re actively engaged in developing compelling content centered around [Specific Topic]. I firmly believe that your audience would derive significant value from this content. Consequently, I am reaching out to explore the possibility of a collaboration where we could contribute an insightful article or resource tailored specifically for your readers.

In return for this collaboration, we’d greatly appreciate the opportunity to include a link back to our website within the content. Our overarching goal is to provide your audience with valuable information while concurrently forging meaningful connections within our industry.

Recognizing the paramount importance of maintaining the authenticity and relevance of your content, we are more than willing to tailor the piece to seamlessly align with your audience’s interests.

Should you be open to delving deeper into this opportunity or if you have any specific topics in mind that you’d like us to cover, please do not hesitate to let me know. I am confident that a collaboration between our two businesses has the potential to bring immense value to both our audiences.

Looking forward to your thoughts.

Best regards,

[Your Full Name]
[Your Position]
[Your Company]
[Your Contact Information]

Link Building Strategies for Small Businesses

If you’re still feeling awkward about asking for backlinks, here are a few other things you can do to make it easier:

Start by asking for backlinks from people you know and trust. This could be friends, family, colleagues, or other businesses in your network.
Frame your request as a way to help the other person. Instead of saying “Can I have a backlink?”, say something like “I think your audience would find this page on my website valuable. Would you be interested in linking to it?”
Be prepared to get turned down. Not everyone will say yes to your request. That’s okay. Just be polite and professional, and move on.

The more you practice asking for backlinks, the easier it will become. And remember, it’s always better to ask than to assume. Because, honestly, the worst thing will be they’ll ignore you or say no. And, really, that’s not so bad.

Here are some specific examples of questions that small business owners might have:

I’m a new business owner, and I don’t know where to start. What are some good ways to meet other businesses in my community? Congratulations on starting your new business! Chances are you have been through some initiatives to get your business listed on the local city’s government websites, the BBB, or even with the CVB or visitors’ bureau for your city. If so, you’ve just found a few places for backlinks. In fact, using the BBB and other government sites to list your business name, address, phone, and website information is a great way to not only build a link, but get a high-quality link from a highly-trusted website.

Link Building Tips for New Businesses

Join your local chamber of commerce. The chamber of commerce is a great resource for new business owners. They offer a variety of events and networking opportunities where you can meet other businesses in your community.
Attend industry events. There are often industry events and conferences happening in your community. This is a great way to meet other businesses in your industry and learn about the latest trends and developments.
Reach out to local businesses directly. If you know of a specific business that you’d like to connect with, reach out to them directly and introduce yourself. You can send them an email, give them a call, or even stop by their business in person.
Get involved in your community. Volunteering your time to a local charity or organization is a great way to meet other people in your community, including business owners.
Use social media. Social media is a great way to connect with other businesses in your community. Follow local businesses on social media and engage with their content. You can also join relevant LinkedIn groups and Facebook groups.

More Examples of Link Building Strategies

I’m attending a networking event next week. What are some tips for making a good impression and building relationships with other people?

Pre-pandemic, my go-to strategy would have involved suggesting classic business card exchanges, live demos, or distributing cool swag at events. Why, you ask? It’s all about cultivating those long-term backlinks! Strive to have your name prominently featured on their company sites or blogs. Moreover, if you possess standout swag or an engaging personality, you may even garner additional visibility on their social media channels. While social media shoutouts might not be as primo as a killer blog link, they’re certainly worth pursuing.

Think about utilizing digital business cards or hitting them up on social media platforms. More followers translate to a broader reach and, in the grand scheme, a snazzier backlink profile. So, dive headfirst into the connection game and elevate your link strategy!

Now, let’s pivot from social media to another dynamic avenue for link building—networking.

Additional Link Building Tips for Networking

Don’t be afraid to start conversations. If you see someone who you’re interested in talking to, don’t be afraid to walk up to them and introduce yourself. You could start by asking them how they’re doing or what they do for a living.
Find common ground. Once you’ve started a conversation, try to find common ground with the other person. This could be anything from a shared interest to a mutual friend.
Be brief. When you’re talking to someone, be brief and to the point. Don’t monopolize the conversation or bore them with too much information about yourself.
Follow up. After the event, be sure to follow up with the people you met. Send them a LinkedIn connection request or an email to thank them for their time.

I’ve built a few relationships with other businesses, but I’m not sure how to ask them to link to my website. What’s the best way to do this?
You’ve tackled the challenge of connecting with other businesses, so now, let’s ponder why someone would want to link to you. Do you bring something special to the table, like killer website development for podcasters, or perhaps you’re offering free consultations for new clients? Put yourself in your network’s shoes—what would make you want to link to you?

Tips for Asking for Links

When seeking backlinks from people met at networking events, businesses can employ personalized and strategic approaches. Here are examples of how to ask for links:

Follow-Up Email:

Subject: Continuing the Conversation – Linking Opportunities

Body: Hi [Contact’s Name],
I thoroughly enjoyed our discussion at [Event Name], and it got me thinking about potential collaboration opportunities. Given our shared interests in [Common Theme], I believe there’s an opportunity for mutual benefit. Would you be open to exploring the idea of reciprocal backlinks between our websites? I’d love to discuss this further and see how we can enhance each other’s online presence.
Best regards,
[Your Name]

Social Media Message:

Platform: LinkedIn

Message: Hi [Contact’s Name],
It was great connecting with you at [Event Name]! Our conversation about [Shared Interest] sparked some exciting ideas. I’d love to explore the possibility of cross-linking our websites to strengthen our online presence. What are your thoughts on this? Looking forward to your response!
Best,
[Your Name]

Remember, building and maintaining positive relationships is at the core of successful backlink acquisition. By approaching the request with authenticity, mutual benefit, and clear communication, you increase the likelihood of receiving positive responses from your network.

I’m writing a guest blog post for another website. What are some tips for writing high-quality content that will attract links?

Guest posting is an advanced strategy for link building – if you have something to write about, it’s easy to do. But, here’s the catch: Google appreciates content that constructs a compelling narrative, captures the reader’s attention, and imparts knowledge or entertainment. So, if you’re writing for someone else’s website, immerse yourself in their audience’s perspective to figure out what content would be exceptionally valuable for them. They asked you to guest blog on their site for reason: Your viewpoint is invaluable; embrace it! As you seamlessly integrate that link to your site, make sure the anchor text is logically connected. Balancing a captivating narrative that resonates with their audience alongside relevant content might seem challenging, but rest assured, you’ve got this!

Now, let’s segue into more tips for mastering the art of guest blogging.

Tips for Guest Blogging Content

Choose a relevant topic. The topic of your guest blog post should be relevant to the other website’s audience. You can use tools like Google Trends and BuzzSumo to find popular topics in your industry.
Do your research. Once you’ve chosen a topic, take some time to do your research. This means reading other articles and blog posts on the topic, and gathering data and statistics to support your points.
Write high-quality content. Your guest blog post should be well-written, informative, and engaging. Use clear and concise language, and avoid using jargon or technical terms that your audience may not understand.
Optimize your content for search engines. Use relevant keywords and phrases throughout your content, and make sure your title and headings are clear and descriptive. This will help your content rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs), which will make it more likely to be seen and linked to by other websites.
Promote your content. Once you’ve published your guest blog post, promote it on social media and other channels. You can also reach out to other bloggers in your industry and let them know about your post.

Tracking Progress of Network-Link Building

The first tool you should use to monitor the performance of your backlinks is free. If you haven’t, sign up and install Google Search Console for your website. Within it, you’ll find a whole section of information dedicated to the backlinks for your website. When you click into the link reports in the left navigation, you’ll uncover a few major insights:

a screenshot of the google search console report for Top External Pages and Sites for a client

External Links > Top Linked Pages

After examining the websites linking to yours, take a moment to explore the pages on your site that are attracting the most links. Taking stock of your own website contnt not only aids in identifying your popular content but also provides insights into potential marketing strategies for those pages. By understanding what resonates with your audience, you can enhance engagement and conversion for users naturally landing on those pages.

External Links > Top Linking Sites

In this report you’ll find domains that are linking to your website. If you’ve been actively working on outreach for a particular domain, this would be a great way to monitor if you got the link. If you’re just looking for inspiration, you can browse the websites linking to you to uncover similarities that will help you build more links (through more content production).

Maximize Link Building Impact With Real-World Relationships