10 ways to get links from other blogs

Posted by Ben Barden on November 10, 2008 | Permalink | Hits: 183 
Tags: guest posts, forums, discussions, taking risks, collaboration, viral posts

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Image by ~Dezz~.

1. Inspire other posts.

Sometimes it's all too easy to get wrapped up in how many comments a post gets. If it didn't get that many, then maybe it wasn't such a great post.

My James Bond post didn't get a lot of comments. But it did inspire some other posts. Rebecca Laffar-Smith and Ken Armstrong both wrote a post as a result of mine. They also linked back to my post. I love getting comments, but a spin-off post that links back to my post is even better. And not a meme in sight!

2. Write guest posts for popular blogs.

Of course, this is dependant on getting the post accepted, and you'll have to write a good post - no, make that a GREAT post - to get published.

It's not just about getting your link from that blog, though - you may find that it causes other bloggers to link to the guest post, or to find your blog through the guest post and then link to one of your other posts at a later date.

3. Establish a forum or group.

Setting up a blogging forum or a kind of "focus group" can be a great way to meet other bloggers, discuss ideas, and exchange links with them. Networking with other bloggers is an important part of getting links from other blogs.

It helps if people actually care about your forum, instead of feeling obligated to post because they know you. If they don't care... well, they won't mention it. Or they might, rather begrudgingly.

4. Provoke a discussion.

One problem with writing blogging tips is that even at their most "useful", a lot of bloggers will just nod and agree, then not leave a comment. They may not link to your post, and they may not even remember what you wrote (or that it was you who wrote it).

Sometimes it pays to raise some points that are likely to encourage comments. You don't have to write complete nonsense to do this, but if you try and please everyone, you may find that nobody adds any views.

A good discussion is a good way to get links to your posts. You can do it in your blog comments, or at your forum. Well, if you have one.

5. Go out on a limb.

If you keep playing it safe, you may be seen as a "boring" blogger. Instead of saying what people might expect you to say, add some points that readers won't see coming.

It's not so much along the lines of WHOA WHERE DID THAT BUS COME FROM? More like "holy cow, I'd never even thought of that!" or "you are so wrong, and I'm going to write a post explaining why". Right or wrong, if your post gets a link, someone obviously cared enough to mention it.

6. Turn an unrelated subject into a relevant post.

Some bloggers don't like to write off-topic posts. Others publish little other than off-topic posts.

But you can do better. Instead of writing an off-topic post, find an unusual topic and relate it back to your niche. It's clever, it's interesting, and it will bring many more "oh YEAH!" moments than a "normal" post.

It might bring a few "um, no" moments too, but you've got to take risks, right?

7. Join forces.

Even if you network with other bloggers in the sense of exchanging links, reviewing people's sites, and leaving comments, blogging can still feel a bit of a lonely experience as you struggle to think up post after post on your own.

Don't work alone. Look for guest writers who might be willing to contribute on a semi-regular basis (and return the favour, if you can). Start a group blog with other writers. Or just find people who you can work with towards a common goal.

8. Don't report - review.

Instead of saying there's a new WordPress release coming up, why don't you go and download it and try it out before you write such an obvious post? Surely anyone could write that post?

Don't just say "this is happening" - REVIEW IT. Give your opinion. Otherwise, you're not going to stand out at all.

9. Don't be an idiot.

Actually, some people seem to do quite well out of saying whatever they like just to get a reaction, but it helps if you can still include something useful in your posts - rather than just cheap shots at other bloggers.

Not being an idiot means doing your best to be approachable. Be honest, be open, reply to emails, reply to comments, consider feedback, and so on.

10. Go viral.

If your post goes viral, everyone's linking to it. How do you get that? Well, create something that's unique, ingenious, clever, interesting, funny, outrageous, or a combination of everything in the list. As with blogging tips, you can't guarantee successful results with this one - it's all about how you apply the theory.

So, how can you go viral? Damned if I know! (Great tip, eh?) Still, it's a "way" to get links... if you've got any ideas, please share them.

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