The 3 Easiest Link Building Tactics Any Website Can Use to Acquire Their First 50 Links - WBF

Summary

This Whiteboard Friday episode offers a simple strategy to secure the initial links necessary for a website's competitive edge. The presenter suggests a half-day effort involving three tactics: leveraging brand names, founders, and executives for self-referential links; identifying and listing alongside competitors; and targeting niche directories and lists that feature similar organizations or industries. The session emphasizes manual link-building techniques using Google searches without the need for expensive tools, promising a solid foundation for new websites.

Takeaways

• 🔍 **Brand Name Search**: Use Google to find mentions of your brand, domain, or founders' names and ensure they link correctly to your website.
• 🔗 **Fix Incorrect Links**: If mentions don't link to your site, contact the source to correct the anchor text and link location.
• 🏆 **Competitor Listings**: Identify top competitors and search for combinations of their names to find sites that list them, then get listed there too.
• 📈 **Expand Link Portfolio**: Even if the hit rate is lower, listing alongside competitors can significantly expand your link profile.
• 🌐 **Geographical Focus**: Look for lists that focus on your region or industry, as these can be high-quality opportunities for links.
• 🏭 **Industry and Geography**: Start with broad industry categories and narrow down to specific regions to find relevant link opportunities.
• 🌟 **Unique Attributes**: Highlight unique attributes of your organization, such as eco-friendliness or founder background, to find niche link opportunities.
• 🔎 **Manual Search**: No expensive tools are needed; manual Google searches can uncover many early link-building opportunities.
• 📝 **Manual Outreach**: Contact website owners or editors to request inclusion in lists or directories.
• 📈 **Link Building Process**: The described process is straightforward and can be done in a half-day, potentially earning the first 50 links needed to compete.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the Whiteboard Friday episode described in the transcript?

The main focus is on discussing strategies to obtain the initial set of links that every website needs to compete in the online space.

How much effort is suggested to get the first few links for a website?

The transcript suggests that it might take about half a day or three to four hours of work to implement the strategies and get the first handful of links.

What is the first tactic mentioned for acquiring links?

The first tactic is to look for links that come from your own brand name, domain name, or the names of founders or people who run your company.

How should one search for mentions of their brand or founders on Google?

One should search Google by putting the brand name or founder's name in quotes to get precise results.

What is the purpose of manually checking the top search results for brand mentions?

The purpose is to confirm that the mentions link to the correct place, and if not, to contact the relevant parties to fix the issue.

What is the second tactic for link building discussed in the transcript?

The second tactic is to identify websites that list your top competitors and then get your organization listed there as well.

How does one identify their top competitors for the purpose of link building?

One can identify top competitors by looking at the most visible brands in their industry that frequently appear in searches or press mentions.

What is the third tactic for acquiring links as described in the transcript?

The third tactic involves finding sites that list people or organizations in a particular field, region, or with specific attributes.

Why is it beneficial to get listed on sites that have unique attributes or geographic focus?

Getting listed on such sites can provide high-quality link building opportunities that might not list direct competitors but are relevant to the organization.

What are some examples of unique attributes or geographic focus that can be used for link building?

Examples include being a European-based manufacturer, founded by a woman, or having an eco-friendly policy.

What tools are required to implement these link-building strategies?

No tools are required; the strategies can be implemented manually using Google search as the only tool.

What is the expected outcome of following the strategies mentioned in the transcript?

The expected outcome is to acquire the first set of early links that can help a website start competing in the online space.