Forum Moderators: martinibuster
I change my message nearly every day, alternating between "Humble" type message "Would you consider linking to my site" to "You Don't Want To Miss This Site!" types of messages, and I seem unable to find the happy medium.
Are there any model messages to be found which might help me become more effective? I've been averaging only 1 successful link per 35 requests.
Sincerely,
Mike
Are there any model messages to be found which might help me become more effective? I've been averaging only 1 successful link per 35 requests.
No. And that's where you're going wrong. People will only respond to these kind of emails if it's tailored to them. Each one is different. Treat each webmaster you write to with the same respect you would want someone to give you and you'll get results.
I tend to look thoroughly through their site and send them a mail giving them feedback, with a URL to our site at the end. They can then either link to us or not.
Success rate is about 65-70%. And we usually don't get asked to link back.
TJ
PS Sorry, Welcome to WebmasterWorld!
I use a standard email:
While searching the internet I came across your website, and wondered would you be interested in exchanging links with [example.com...] This is a new site, and it will have a much better google Page Rank at the end of next month.
If you forward me you're linking details, I will add your site immediately.
My linking details are:
...
If you have any other web sites that would benefit from a links exchange, please do not hesitate to contact me at this email address.
menton
[edited by: Marcia at 4:22 pm (utc) on July 15, 2003]
[edit reason] Site made generic [/edit]
Senior member Trillianjedi, I thank you sincerely for these words of wisdom. It seems so obvious now that you've pointed this out. My "personalization" of my link messages have not been personal enough. -Mike
(On the assumption that was sarcasm!)
Sorry, I didn't mean to sound patronising or state the obvious. I may have been guilty of reading your message a little fast.
The point that I wanted to make is we make the message 100% personal as feedback about the website. We don't actually ask for a link - we simply point them to our site. And 65%-70% of the time we end up getting a link from them with no reciprocity required.
I guess more of a standard method rather than standard email.
TJ
On the other hand, this is my "anonymous email" address:
mmmarzio@yahoo.com ,
which I give you with hopes that I will then receive your email address, allowing me to send you a copy of my message. Then, if you would be kind enough to give your opinion...
I'd be a very happy camper indeed.
- Mike
The email works fine but it doesn't get the 70% conversion ratio that trillianjedi gets, but against that it is a fast way of sending emails out to link exchange partners.
I keep all of my links in a database and then just send out the emails in mass.
menton
I would as suggested post it here just remove the specifics - you don't just want my opinion after all, I'm sure that the collective opinion will be much more valuable.
TJ
Link Strategies – To Build Presence and Gain Exposure [webmasterworld.com] Starting with Reciprocal Linking
One-Way Linking [webmasterworld.com] Step two of - Link Strategies – To Build Presence and Gain Exposure
Most questions answered there
Good luck
This "email" sounds a bit ridiculous with the real info missing, but maybe this will give you an idea of the type of message I have been sending.
I will use this type parentheses { _text_ } to remove real content.
So, Trillianjedi, This is my message, hoping it makes enough sense without real content to get your opinion:
Subject line: {Name-of-my-domain} (link request)
{please note that "link request" in ordinary parentheses is part of subject line}
To {Full_name_of_person_as_found_on_his_site} (example: To Dr.John Doe, The University of WMD
Hello {First-name-of-person},
I would like to know if you will link to my free {6-word description} site, at {_URL_Where_I_Want_My_Link_To_Appear.htm}
I will be happy to make this link mutual.
If you have a moment, please check out my site:
[my_site.com...]
and use these:
Your username: xyz
Your password: abc
These are case sensitive. NB: The site is absolutely free and will remain so. Anyone who requests a username/password always receives one.
I noticed you have listed {very_popular_site_very _similar_to_mine.htm}. As you will see (and I hope you will have time to see), my site.com is {text: comparison made to competitors site with hint of why mine is better in 20 words}.
The following short article from {another very well known site in my sector}
{URL where critical review is hosted} is typical of the reviews:
{begin quote of review}"Name of My Site
Guide Rating - 5 out of 5 stars
{ 4 or 5 sentences i.e., the review of my site}" {end of quote}
Sincerely,
My name
My Company name
My phone and fax
mmmarzio - I liked your email
The only thing I have to add is that some spam filters pick up the phrase Link Exchange as spam. It might be worth thinking of something else.
menton
Your username: xyz
Your password: abc
Potentially, people don't want to link to you because they think the return link will not be accessible in the search engines (because a login is required)? These days, people aren't interested if they don't think there will be a 'pr boost' regardless of site quality.
Subject line: Name of THEIR domain (not yours - flattery can still get you a long way in this world!)
To {Full_name_of_person_as_found_on_his_site} (example: To Dr.John Doe, The University of WMD
(first name) - [maybe the "hello" for the US *only*, never in Europe],
I came across your site today whilst looking for [particular subject matter about widgets] and found a lot of useful information. I paricularly liked the way you've done the navigation although I have to admit I struggled to find your page about blue widgets - with that page on the main navigation menu, I would give you 10/10.... (you get the drift)
You may be interested in what we're doing in this field at:-
www.our-domain.com
And in particular the blue widget reviews at:-
www.our-domain.com/blue-wdiget-reviews
As you will see our-domain.com is in a good position to become the leading authority on widgets and that is our overal goal. (not sure on the position of your site, but you get the idea - be honest though).
I'd be interested to hear what you think.
Best regards,
mmmarzio
This is what I do - and the bulk of them link to me. It often just establishes a line of correspondence and the link comes later, but it almost always works. I took out your line about "I do hope that you get time to look" - play it cool. Don't care. It's their loss if they don't link to you. Confidence is 99% of success in getting another site to link to you. If you don't have confidence in your product, how can you expect anyone else to?
TJ
