There are many ways to ask for a link exchange, that is if you don’t care whether or not you get one. I have gotten a few of these generic give-me-a-link-here-is-my-site emails – full of spelling mistakes, no mention of what my site is about and no regard for what I had been trying to do with this blog. I have not responded to that many of these.
On the other hand, I have sent out several emails asking for a link exchange during the length of the contest: I got a link from every single email I sent out. Impressed? You should be, if you take into consideration I have been looking for links with anchor text “shopautodotca seocontest” and I have been targeting reputable PR sites. Keep in mind as well that my blog is super cute now, but it was not always this way. When the contest was done, I contacted them all to let them know that the seocontest was over, and while their link would remain on my site for all time, they were free to remove the link to my site: many opted to continue linking to my site, which I appreciate a lot.
So what did I do that so many people fail to do when suggesting a link exchange? Here are some important points to consider:
- When asking for a link exchange tell them how they can benefit, or how they will benefit in the future if your site is new. Tell them what else you are doing to promote your site and how this will soon benefit them as well.
- Make mention of what their site is about, let them know that you checked out more than just the links page. Remember, flattery and interest in what people are doing will get you everywhere.
- Tell them a little story, don’t just say “Here is my site, please link to it” say instead “Here is what I am trying to do”. Even if you are trying to promote your business site, you can still tell them a bit about yourself or your company. Give them a small picture of your “dream” and make them a part of it.
- Be friendly and sincere in your email, and don’t be afraid to be yourself. Make a joke if it is actually funny, but only if it is actually funny. Cute and charming funny is the best kind of funny, which is why being a girl can have its perks in these situations.
- Check your spelling and grammar before hitting send. Please please please check your spelling and grammar. If you can’t be bothered to do this, I can almost guarantee that they won’t be bothered to put a link. Run it through spell check if need be.
- Don’t make your email so short that it looks like you whipped it off in a few seconds, but don’t make it so long that it takes more than a minute to read.
Now I can’t promise you will get a link with every email you send, but remember that the effort you put into requesting a link exchange will be reciprocated.
So always remember: NO EFFORT = NO LINK
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