martinibuster - 6:25 pm on Dec 30, 2012 (gmt 0)

Do you think the links already built will 'carry enough weight'...

To a certain extent. But there's the Link Rot thing going on in the background. I think the average site battles against Link Rot. That's the concept of constant attrition and diminution of links (websites disappear, articles get buried, etc., etc.). There is also a concept not applicable to many sites where a site reaches a level of popularity where the backlink growth becomes automatic or viral. Site visitors and web publishers independently create citations. So in some situations, link rot is more or less cancelled out as a factor. Otherwise, I think, you're on a treadmill where you have to engage in some kind of outreach, either to keep your name out there or more proactive by creating link opportunities/projects.