Link-Baiting - What Every Blogger Should Know
Come closer kiddies - I want to talk to you about a serious social hygiene problem - Master Baiting. I was moved to comment on this after reading Andy Hagans
Ultimate Guide to Linkbaiting and SMM. Yes I'm talking about link baiting -
the most cost and time efficient way of building relevant, trusted, editorially-driven backlinks - as Andy puts it.
The critical success factor in getting ranked in Google for competitive keywords.
Andy, like me, says Content is king. But
packaging is queen, promotion is the crown prince and a baity title is the Sword of Excalibur.
So how do you start building your links?
Anything can be link baited. You can write a
hook for any topic - any product.
Just as in Newspapers and Magazines (which I've worked on) the most important part is the Title.
This is where you attract your readers. You'll notice I haven't called this piece something lame like "How to Get Link Baits" or the equally lame and overused "10 Tips for Link Baiting" - although I've gotta admit the old "Ten Top Tips" heading always works. I've sexed it up a bit with the cheeky
Master Baiting phrase (some people won't get it but never mind). And I've chucked in
Link Baiting as a keyword and to further (I hope) strengthen the story and get you to read on. (is it working?)
If you're creatively brain-dead or don't have the knack for the snappy title you can always use a cheatsheet like "Copybloggers 10 Sure-Fire Headline Formulas That Work" (Google it).
He's done the work for you with these Ten sure-fire headlines -
* 1. Who Else Wants...?
Who Else Wants a Great Blog Template Design?
Who Else Wants a Higher Paying Job?
Who Else Wants More Fun and Less Stress When on Vacation?
* 2. The Secret of...
The Secret of Successful Podcasting
The Secret of Protecting Your Assets in Litigation
The Secret of Getting Your Home Loan Approved
* 3. Here is a Method That is Helping...to...
Here is a Method That is Helping Homeowners Save Hundreds on Insurance
Here is a Method That is Helping Children Learn to Read Sooner
Here is a Method That is Helping Bloggers Write Better Post Titles
* 4. Little Known Ways to...
Little Known Ways to Save on Your Heating Bill
Little Known Ways to Hack Googles Gmail
Little Known Ways to Lose Weight Quickly and Safely
* 5. Get Rid of [problem] Once and For All
Get Rid of Your Unproductive Work Habits Once and For All
Get Rid of That Carpet Stain Once and For All
Get Rid of That Lame Mullet Hairdo Once and For All
* 6. Heres a Quick Way to [solve a problem]
Heres a Quick Way to Get Over a Cold
Heres a Quick Way to Potty Train Junior
Heres a Quick Way to Backup Your Hard Drive
* 7. Now You Can Have [something desirable] [great circumstance]
Now You Can Quit Your Job and Make Even More Money
Now You Can Meet Sexy Singles Online Without Spending a Dime
Now You Can Own a Cool Mac and Still Run Windows
* 8. [Do something] like [world-class example]
Speak Spanish Like a Diplomat
Party Like Paris Hilton
Blog Like an A-Lister
* 9. Have a [or] Build a [blank] You Can Be Proud Of
Build a Body You Can Be Proud Of
Have a Smile You Can Be Proud Of
