Secrets of Getting Positive Attention

Want more readers for your own blog?  Working at Home on the Internet's guest writer Lara Kulpa has some great suggestions, pointing out that 

". . . getting links, sharing links, spreading links… it can get overwhelming and sound like it’s a ton of work, when in reality, all you need to do is remember a few things . . ."

But is linking out even a good idea? Should you ask for a link in return?

I say yes to the first question and "no way" to asking something in return. Darren Rowse of Probloger is with me on the question of creating outgoing links and says that the strategy has helped his blogs' popularity because of the benefit to his readers.

"Make your links useful and relevant to the topic and you take another step to producing the kind of blog people will come back to on a daily basis. In the process you might just make a friend or two with those you link up to which is another side benefit of the strategy."

On the same wave length,Liz Strauss of Successful Blog shares Strategy for Relationship Linking while a guest blogger for Rowse. Liz emphasizes continuity, keeping current with relationships you already have.

"Visit and link to the blogs that have been your friends all along. Relationships make for stronger, more relevant links. It’s relationships that will see you through when other links break or fall off. Linking for traffic or for incoming links is a short-term strategy."

For my part, I've made wonderful connections through creating outbound links and have never felt any any hesitation to pass links to those people with interesting things to say, tools I find helpful, or even weird stuff.

I am amazed however when I get one of those emails which pressures me for a "reciprocal" link because someone's blog contains an outbound link to me. It's so old school. As Michael Bluejay wrote in Why your link exchange request failed

"The web is supposed to be about sharing information. I link to sites all the time which I find useful and which I think will be of interest to my readers, without demanding (or usually even asking) that they link back.

"Linking to other high-quality sites increases the value of my own site. I link to these sites because it's good for my readers, not because I'm getting a return link."

Amen. So come on people, share some link love today and pass on the good will! You won't be losing readers by  sending them off to other blogs; you'll be building credibility.

You'll also be gaining connections and your readers can't help but notice and appreciate your helpfulness and generosity.

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Comments

[Marti]

Excellent advice! I got one of those 'reciprocal link" requests from someone who wrote, "I bought five copies of your book". I checked Lulu, which shows the author their sales information (number of books sold along with the town and state of the purchaser for each order). There were no orders for five books. There were no orders going to the claimant's town. I hate being lied to. I did not reciprocate a link. (like duh - LOL)

[Tabz]

Awwh thanks for your kind comments about Flat Stanley!