Offer Cash for a link....

Think this would work?

[elklabone]

I too am having problems getting link partners, and we are looking to expand the number of one-way links coming into our site.

Here's my idea.

We run a site, currently PR6. I was thinking of advertising something like:

"Link to us, make $10"

And then link it to a special page with the instructions...

Something like you must have PR4 site or higher, must give us link from home page or page directly attached to the home page, page must not have more than 10 outgoing links on it. Link must use this anchor text (which will be rotated)... Once they add the link, they can send me a Paypal money request and I'll pay them. They must agree to keep the link up for at least one year.

And then let it run for awhile. I figure for $1,000 I can get 100 NEW one-way incoming links.

Anybody have any comments on this? Good idea? Bad idea? Would webmasters respond to this?

--Mark

[edited by: martinibuster at 2:55 pm (utc) on Oct. 4, 2004]
[edit reason] Please, no specifics. [/edit]

[tigger]

for $10 is it really worth the effort, I've gone along a different route I have 2 sites both with PR so I set the link up from one and get links going to the other that way I don't have to pay for anything :)

[sit2510]

>>> Link to us, make $10

I think that might be worth if you have deep pocket. Considering the time spent for each quality link obtained (according to your qualification), I think it costs much more than that $10 per link. Good idea I guess, but be aware of falling into the definition of "Buying link to boost PR" by Google. In other words, don't get caught.

[martinibuster]

Many directories will take you for $5-20. There are other directories that charge more as well.

[shahid]

If you want one way link and wolling to pay then directories are a good option. Many of them even charge one time fee not annual.

[instinct]

This might sound silly but bear with me:

If you were trying to get bloggers to link to you (as opposed to professional webmasters who probably wouldn't go for it), what if you had some sort of contest or giveaway?

For example: "Every month one of our link partners will win a widget based on a random drawing."

Obviously the widget would have to be of enough value for it to be enticing.

It's just a thought.... anyone tried something like this?

[chrisnrae]

I think cold hard cash would speak better to bloggers then giving away something they may or may not want. Least it seems to with affiliates ;).

[martinibuster]

>>>what if you had some sort of contest or giveaway?

There are laws and restrictions on contests and giveaways that vary from state to state.

I think cold hard cash would speak better to bloggers...

Paying cash for links is an interesting idea,

• but what will stop people from collecting their cash and taking down the link?
• Otoh, you have a good chance of picking up blog links if they start talking about the website that pays cash for links, then link to your website.

Help! You've Been Banned and You Can't Get Up!
But that would pose a problem because gaining notoriety for gaming Google's system will get you banned faster than you can say SearchKing.

[PatrickDeese]

How about link to us get $5. Stay linked to us for a year get another $10?

Would that be a way to avoid the link/cash check/delete syndrome?

[elklabone]

Good idea I guess, but be aware of falling into the definition of "Buying link to boost PR" by Google. In other words, don't get caught.

If this is worded as, "I'd like to buy a link from your website to attract more visitors" rather than, "Help me Beat Google!", would it make a difference?

People dropping your link is always a danger, but I think most webmasters would leave it up long enough to make it worth your while. Link exchanges wear a guy down after awhile...

--Mark

[chrisnrae]

I've seen people buying links from blogs. I would say as long as you aren't buying them from 100 blogs, you'd prob be alright. A few blogs can't be much different than a few content sites. The bloggers I know doing it have no idea what the person is really after. They think they have an advertiser. As an SEO I tend to know better ;).

"How about link to us get $5. Stay linked to us for a year get another $10"

For some bloggers, this wouldn't even be in the ballpark. There are plenty of blogs out there with huge followings. They have the best link popularity about them, but they'll also cost a bit more than suggested ;).

[PatrickDeese]

> this wouldn't even be in the ballpark

it was the concept not so much the price point that i was trying to convey.

[chrisnrae]

Gotcha. My apologies ;).