Forum Moderators: martinibuster
Would it be proper to ask for someone to critique my soliciting of reciprocal links.
"We are limited in our exchanging of links to sites that only wish to reach (website topic).
We receive over 2000 visitors a month at our unique website: (my website URL)
If there is any interest please contact: (my email address)"
[edited by: Woz at 12:45 pm (utc) on May 30, 2005]
[edit reason] No Specifics please, see Tos#13 [/edit]
Are you sending these out in bulk or a few at a time?
I normally try to target specific sites, visit and do some checking before I try to obtain links, so I think I might do this a little different than most.
1. I always use the form if there is one.
2. If there is not a form, I always say something about a specific page on the site, so they will know I have been there... Sometimes, when they have an actual 'last modified' date (not dynamic) I will add something about 'looks like you just updated your blah-blah page...'
3. I NEVER include stats about my site. This may be a personal thing, but when someone writes to tell me how wonderful their site is, and why I should link to them it just plain annoys me... even worse if they try to explain the benefits of reciprocal links to me.
4. Most of the time I just ask that my site be considered in their next update. If I already have links to them I let them know where they are.
5. I do not 'exchange links' per se. I will very rarely allow someone else to dictate the text or format surrounding information on my page, including a link, or the actual description of a site. (Occasion where I would allow someone else to 'have a say': There are less than 15 out-bound links on their page. Their page ranks very well for multiple terms in all SE's. Their site is an established, on topic 'authority' site.)
6. I do not ask for specific link information... I have found most people, when reading the following request, use the information I provide them in 3 and 4 for what my site is about. So, when I would like other text about our site I change the information I provide them...
My actual e-mail or request might look something like this:
1. Standard Hello
Hi (if there is a name I can find it goes here.)
2. If they do not say anything about how to request a link:
I am not sure if I am sending this to the right person... I hope so, but if not could you please forward it or let me know where a better place to inquire about having my site reviewed for inclusion in your resources (or 'page name') is?
3. Who I am, where my site is and I have visited your site: (*blah, blah* = Title I would like)
I run an 'niche here' site (www.mysite.com) and I don't see another site in your listings that offers 'blah, blah'...
4. A brief description of the site: (*description* I would like)
We offer 'keyword description and more blah...'
5. If I link to them already:
We have recently updated many listings and include a reference to your site on this page: http://www.theirsite.com
6. Get me out of here:
Thanks for you time. I am sure with the quality (or other nice blah) of your site you receive many link requests, and hope you will consider us on your next update. If there is anything you need from me, please let me know.
Thanks again,
Me
contact
As you can see this is very brief, and to the point. It's easy to read and access my site... Although I provide a title and description, usually tailored to fit the format of the other links they already list, I do not actually tell them what to put on their page. Since most of my requests are spontaneuos, the format varries to some extent.
How effective has it been... I almost always receive a response, and have received some very 'hard to get' links. I firmly believe the quality of links is much more important than overall quantity. Scrapers take care of the quantity for me, so I shoot for the offsetting quality.
Many times if I do not link to the site, the responses include a request to link... Now I am in control of whether the exchange happens, and can actually *tell* them what to put on the page if I decide accept, eventhough I actually requested the link.
Hope this helps some. Even just as another view of link requests.
Justin
