A Simple Guide to Creating Linkbait

So you want to get links, but don’t know how to start creating linkable content? Let me walk you through my process for creating awesome linkbait.

1. Identify your target niche.

Start by looking at your competitors’ links.

They are probably more edible than these links:

This is a basic step for SEO, so really it’s something you should have on file already. Look back over your competitors’ links. Have they done anything that was particularly link-worthy? Look at deeper pages. What sort of things are people linking to in these pages? This should start to give you some idea of what sort of niches are interested in what you do.

2. Identify your angle.

When you look at your competitors’ links, you’ll see which bloggers and websites linked to them.

What did they link to and in what context? What else are they linking to? And what’s going to make them link to your stuff? That is, what can you add?

Well, have you ever asked? Obviously, you won’t get an answer from all of your target bloggers and websites, but the ones you get a positive answer from will already be interested in your content before you begin creating it. And people with a vested interest in your content will only be a good thing.

3. Create your content.

There’s not much I can say here. Just create something that answers the above questions. If infographics do well, do that. Photo essays? Well, get your camera out – or get a freelancer to do it if you’re not confident in your own photography skills.

If they want creepy monkeys, well, maybe they’re not worth targeting…

4. Promote your content.

Start with the bloggers you’ve already talked to. As I said above, they helped out with your content, so they have a vested interest. Be sure to point out which bit of their suggestion was used in the content. That way, they can brag about how awesome they are. And let’s face it: the best way to get people to link to you is to massage their egos.

After you’ve got a few links from the people you’ve talked to, then you can go to other bloggers and websites, saying that buzz is building for this content. When you can show that people are interested in your content, it creates a desire within other people to join in. No one wants to miss the boat, after all.

In my own experience, I find less explicit requests are better, that is, saying “I think you and your readers would like this”, rather than simply asking for a link, is more effective. I find that it’s better to suggest you’re doing someone a favor instead of asking them to do one for you.

So I’ve done all that. What next?

Let’s say you’re targeting ‘tents’. You’ve already done some linkbait based on what has been successful for your competitors. But there are loads of people who use tents besides hardcore camping bloggers, so how would you go about targeting them?

Well, camping has undergone a bit of a resurgence in loads of markets thanks to the recession, so maybe you can target women who aren’t super into camping. What to these women link to online? Well, loads of things, but there is a bit community of knitters online, and coincidentally, one of your employees loves knitting (isn’t that handy?) Why not create patterns for knitted tent sculptures or other camping-related stuff? Whatever it is, just make sure it’s interesting enough to get attention and useful enough to be worth sharing.

But don’t forget: at this point, you don’t know that knitters are going to link to content like that.

 

But if they like knitted cake, they probably will like knitted flashlights.