4 replies to this topic

[Miroslav]

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!

I wasn't sure where to put this thread, but link building seems to be the closest...

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BACKGROUND

My understanding of the link-for-content swap is as follows:

1. Party A (content provider) writes content for Party B (publisher) to publish on their site/ezine.

2. Party B links to Party A from the content-page that was written by Party A.

Main benefits for Party A: new incoming link without the need to reciprocate, building reputation online.

Main benefits for Party B: fresh content for their site > more visitors > more revenue.

The three most common examples of link-for-content swaps that I am aware of, are:

a. Writing articles for other web sites/ezines.

b. Writing reviews for someone else's product/service.

c. Writing press releases for news sites.

All of these are quite popular and seen as completely legitimate from SEO point of view.

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PROBLEM

Here's my situation...

One of my sites is about "house plans". It's one of my passions and, over the years, I have built some (moderate) expertise in this field.

However, it recently hit me that everybody who has ever lived in a house for any extended period of time (and, that practically means EVERYBODY), has some useful hands-on experience that could be very valuable to my visitors.

This recognition made me think about how to extract this experience and transform it into keyword-rich content for my site that would not only be of value to my visitors, but also be easily found in the search engines.

Now, being the lazy bast**d that I am, I figured... why not let my visitors to write the content for me?

And here's where I would like your advice...

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SOLUTION ???

I figured that a link-for-content type of arrangement might provide the solution.

Basically, I would invite people to comment on selected house plans from their point of view. In return, I would offer to link to them from the content they wrote. The idea is also to put a minimum requirement on the number of words (say, 200+ words) for each contribution. This way, each new contribution could get it's own page.

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QUESTION(S)

Would this arrangement work for my situation?

Is it a fair proposal?

Are there any issues/disadvantages to be aware of?

Anything I haven't considered?

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Thank you VERY much in advance for your comments!

Best wishes,
Miroslav

[Grumpus]

By offering a link for payment, you're limiting your target to people who have sites. Out of all the people who visit your site, those who have something to actually link to will be maybe 3% or so? (I'm guessing....)

For the average "person", it's often enough to just get their "name in lights" (even if it's only an anonymous screen name). For example, if you look around the forums, here, you'll see a lot of people offering help - and many of them have no link in their sig nor in their profile. So, what is their motivation to help? Well, it makes them feel good to know something and to then be thanked for sharing that knowledge.

The same can likely be true for your site. Just build a mechanism to allow people to comment or otherwise discuss whatever it is you have that's worthy of discussion or comment and let vanity fluffage be the reward. If you offer a link, the people without sites will say, "that doesn't do anything for me, so I'm not gonna do it". But, if you offer nothing but "fame" (at least in the context of your site), then it can benefit anyone who wants to see their thoughts in print.

G.

[kpaul]

Would this arrangement work for my situation?

Is it a fair proposal?

Are there any issues/disadvantages to be aware of?

Anything I haven't considered?

i would be worried about the quality of the content. the only ones who are going to be really interested in a link would be other webmasters. your everyday average joe will most likely care less. they just want to be part of the community.

creation of content by visitors is a great idea, but you have to be careful about the type of writers you attract. i think offering a link would attract the wrong kind of 'writer'...

you need to make your site sticky and interactive as you can.

maybe highlight a visitors 'article' on the homepage each month? you need to make them feel special, like they're contributing, that they're part of a community...

imho,
kpaul

[Debra]

Miroslav -Take your concept and offer it to people already working in your field and with some type of established name. You want credible information for your site so go to the people who can give that to you.

If they have websites - great!! But if they don't, that's ok too as their "reputation" will enhance yours.

Once you have a handful of these experts articles on your site, do a press release to annouce you now have a site full of expert information.

So by contacting established authorities in your industry and asking them to submit articles/opinions/blueprints/case studies/product reviews/etc you effectively:

- build out your site with credible info
- attract people looking for this type of info and increase your site's traffic
- network with quality associates
- benefit from links from these associates if they have sites
- benefit with inbound links from the press release you'll send out.

And don't stop there. Once you've established yourself, run contests/promotions/start a newsletter, etc. All things that will attract or produce links, traffic, content and credbility.

<excuse all spelling errors>

Edited by Debra, 03 January 2005 - 04:16 PM.

[Miroslav]

Great input! Thanks everyone!

Miroslav