Asking for a link...use common sense
There are a million ways to ask for a link, but using some common sense when you do so by email can certainly help your cause. What do I mean by common sense? Well, a couple of things. The first is common advice for anyone who's done link building in the past, and that's to personalize your message to a degree that matches the value of the link you're aiming to obtain. Some links are more valuable than others, but just because it's not an authoritative link you're after doesn't mean you should send out a message with zero personalization. Even some moderate personalization like mentioning the site, the page you want a link from, and addressing your contact by name will improve your chances for consideration.
The other point I wanted to make here was about etiquette. I've seen a lot of bloggers giving advice about the best way to ask for a link. Some say that you should "always include the html for your link" or similar instructions when asking for a link. But every case is different, and I've seen many of other webmasters get offended by this approach. Typically, I find that authority sites usually know what they're doing from an SEO standpoint, and you have to assume they get requests from time to time. If you're approaching a site that seems to have its SEO ducks in a row, don't insult their intelligence when you make a request. On the opposite end of the spectrum, you may find yourself seeking a link from a blogger who doesn't seem to be too technically savvy, in which case offering up the html might be beneficial for them.
Ultimately, there's no one right way to ask for a link via email. Just use your head.
About Joe Ford
Joe Ford is a Managing Partner at Netvantage Marketing. In addition to overseeing day to day business operations of Netvantage, he directs paid search strategy for over 14 paid search clients. Ford is on the Lansing Chamber Board of Directors, and the Executive Board of the Capital Area IT Council.
Tags: how to ask for a link, link building tips, link request emails
