5 Link Opportunity Questions You Forgot to Ask Your Client
Sometimes we’re in such a rush looking for the next big link idea that we miss the quality low hanging opportunities ripe for the picking.
1. Does your company provide scholarships?
There are HUNDREDS of sites listing companies that provide scholarships. Not only can you land a deep link, there’s a good possibility it could be a deep link from a .edu or k12.state.us site. Even if your client doesn’t offer a scholarship, why not find 50 quality sites that list business scholarships and pitch a $500 scholarship idea as a quality bulk link buy for your client?
2. What fraternities and sororities did your C-Level managers participate in during school?
Yep, another way to get links from a .edu. Most colleges and universities provide hosting for fraternities, sororities, clubs, etc. These groups can link out to alumni profiles, businesses & advisors. I know my honors franerdity links out. Does yours?
3. What industry blogs do you follow?
Oh, you don’t? It’s not always about getting a link for the client. The more a client is educated about the broad scope of their business, the less time you have to spend on questions that do not drive home conversions and revenues. This is the perfect opportunity to have your client read blogs to help your cause, whether you’re a graphic designer, developer, or SEO. Heck, they might even start commenting and linking. Just remind them of the proper way to comment on blogs by sending them a link to SearchRank.com’s correct commenting post.
4. Does your company sponsor any athletic events?
While not everyone likes gutting it for 5 kilometers, there are dozens of sites that list races by city, state, & region. If your client sponsors a 5k race, bike race or adventure race, make sure they’re listed on these sites. Up attendance and links. Mmmboy.
5. Are there any women or minorities that are C-Level managers?
Yes, your client will most likely be defensive and hesitant to answer this question, but do you want to remain in the shadow of PCness or get some juicy links? Act and ask in their best interest. Apologize later if necessary. There are local, national & international sites listing women, African America, Asian, and other minority owned/operated businesses. Lots of low hanging links that will be appreciated at the end of the day.
Very cool ideas.
Comment by Sarasota SEO
September 24th, 2008 @ 6:59 am
Yes, I would also add:
Do you or your top managers serve on any charitable boards? Charities most often list their board members and will provide a link, if you ask them to.
Comment by Jennifer Dlugozima
September 24th, 2008 @ 11:41 am
Very good post! I work at a company that likely does all of these things but I highly doubt we thought to perform linkbuilding in this way. Great creative thinking!
Comment by Jen
September 24th, 2008 @ 2:30 pm
Thanks Sarasota SEO, Jennifer & Jen! A followup will probably come soon with some added ideas. Charities are definitely a good source to find links in multiple ways, great point, especially digging down to their board members.
Comment by Adam
September 24th, 2008 @ 4:37 pm
Good ideas but how valuable are they? I was under the impression that a .edu link is very valuable but doesn’t the (~) diminish the value? Most .edu links for any student or organizations site behind the Tilda.
Comment by Jeff
October 8th, 2008 @ 12:56 pm
Jeff - I agree, many times the tilda seems to diminish the value of a .edu pages. I searched for my old fraternity and was able to find a mix of independent fraternity sites, .edu sites without the tilda (many PR4), and sites with the tilda that still have PR3.
Doing something is always better than nothing. If it takes 5 minutes to contact an alumni relations person at your old fraternity, definitely worth it so long as the engines can access where the link will go.
Comment by Adam
October 9th, 2008 @ 1:22 pm