Getting links for a small niche / academic site

'competitors' don't need to care about PR (bigname[.edu¦.ac.uk])

[vincevincevince]

I'm looking for advice about how to build links for a site which is aimed at primarily a graduate audience in a scientific field of modest size. I'm in most of the small directories for the field, but am unable to get links from other similar content sites. The only way I've got any links is by writing rich content pages in wikis that link to further highly related information on my site... Link request emails that would get a reasonable response from other sectors get very very few positive responses.

Ideas guys?

[richardb]

Used to be an academic so I think it follows that you will get a very slooooow response until your big time and then, watch out for the…

The main problem (I think) you have is that your requests go through to the techies rather than the people you want to target, names and contact details may help with that.

I think that you are on a long haul. You may want to start (with at least 6/7 other mods) a forum for grads (in your scientific field) it will take time but…

Rich

[vincevincevince]

thanks richard - it seems if i target academics responsible for pages they don't care about linking because it's of no interest to them, and they likely aren't too sure about / don't have time for doing it - and if i target techies behind the site then they won't be able to appreciate the relance of the site, nor have the authority to edit pages authored by the academics...

sigh :-)

your idea about the discussion forum is great actually, and it's something i'm going to start coding soon

[mil2k]

I would agree forums seems to be a very good idea. As regards to content how about some interviews or articles by authorities in this field. Then you could try to get links for that pages. But as richard says

you will get a very slooooow response until your big time

[richardb]

er, this may flop horribly but it could be a short cut, I'm really not sure.

Given most peoples vanity you could try profiling certain leading exponents and putting a flattering profile linked alongside various articles, let them know and ask for contributions, et al.

I would start with the b list and if successful progress…

Rich

[nakulgoyal]

PM me the URL and let me recommend some sites to you based on the relavance.

[firstmark]

After you have exhausted links to other science sites why not look for science fiction sites that might fit in and ask them to trade links? Then after that general academic or college sites.
Be creative if you are the industry leader in your fiend there may not be any sites of the exact content type as yours.