Linking to related business' versus directories

[waddsy]

I have an art gallery online. What I have been doing is getting as many non reciprocal links as possible. The majority of my links are on "submit URL" directories.. What Im concerned is is this worth my time to do this as these directories are not just art directories but everything. There are three types of submittals
1. non reciprocal linking with related sites
2. Reciprocal linking with related sites
3. non reciprocal linking to directories

Again most of the sites I find that are non reciprocal are just directories.. I just dont want to waste my time if it is not helping. Any suggestions?

[Webwork]

If the website/directory is targeted to art and has traffic that suggests it may be worth your effort.

If the directory has a lot of traffic and a specific subsection on art that suggests it's worth your effort.

Below these 2 thresholds it's like a case of diminishing returns to cost.

[waddsy]

well every directory I have been to has in some form "arts" "shopping" "visual arts" etc. So technically I am alway s able to find a place to put myself in. Again how am I to differentiate from the "waste of my time sites" to "worthwhile to type in my stuff directories"
thanks!

[Webwork]

Take a look here for discussions on link strategies:

[webmasterworld.com...]

As far as directories I've somewhat exhausted the issue.