How to Fire up Your Link Building Mojo

By Jeremy Morgan

You know you need inbound links to your site to succeed in SEO. What you may not know is, you don't need to spend a dime to get them. In fact, I would advise you not to purchase links.

The recent Google shakeup is all about paid links. Stop paying for links now! Google is now "punishing" websites for having paid links, because they feel it's cheating the algorithm. You might be upset by this, but they are doing it to improve the quality of their results. Here is how you can take advantage of it.

Google is moving towards algorithms that favor sites that are "naturally" linked to. What is "natural" linking? These are links that a webmaster puts up because he or she wanted to, not because they were paid to. They saw something they liked, and put a link to it. This means all those shady SEOs who were buying links up by the hundreds can't cheat good sites out of the rankings anymore. So how you do get natural links?

Focus on Your Subject

There is a saying in marketing, if you market to everyone, you are marketing to no one. Maintain your focus, and keep your content within your niche. Don't try to spread yourself too thin.

I personally have been guilty of this sin in the past. At one time JeremyMorgan.com had SEO articles, PHP scripts, Ford Mustang News and photoshop tutorials, and pictures of my family and locations back home. Needless to say I didn't really dominate any of those niches. Focus your efforts, and try to stay on topic.

Give Them Something to Link to

Once you find your focus, provide content that others in your niche want to link to. It's really that simple. Think to yourself, "are people going to want to link to this?". As much as I think my speculations and opinions on industry trends are great, the reality is most people link to articles I write that actually tell you how to do something. If you really want to build links, give them something helpful or really interesting to link to.

Even pages that you cannot easily monetize. The more links you get, the better.

Join the Community

In 2008, they have a community for almost anything. Get involved in those communities, sign up for forums and comment on posts. Become an authority. Just by being helpful to others and bringing information to a community, people will link to your site out of respect, knowing that their audience will appreciate the link. Be honest, helpful, and maintain your integrity on the boards. Instead of making fun of that newbie, help them out.

Look for Places with High Quality Links

Don't be afraid to ask to exchange links with others who might benefit from your service. Links from sites like your local library or community-centric pages go a long ways. Even your employer may put up a link (be careful not to mess that one up!).

Get Deep Links

Deep links are very important. Try to get links pointing towards inner pages of your site rather than the front page. With enough of these types of links, you can dominate some of the serps related to that topic, as well as build your overall quality.

Write Articles

Chances are, you're reading this article on somewhere other than JeremyMorgan.com or Webfoot Central. That's because I submit articles all over the internet. Not only do you help build backlinks, but you contribute to your community, and make a name for yourself. Don't write spammy articles, or try to advertise too hard. Make something useful that others will want as content on their own site.

Issue Press Releases

I can't really comment on this one too much, because I've never done it, but for some sites it's a very useful tool for getting inbound links, and good publicity. Make sure you have something going on that's worth talking about!

Blog, Blog, Blog

Every site needs a blog. Even if your site is primarily about selling widgets, have a widget news related blog. Individual articles will get people linking to them, and will keep your site fresh and add content, which google and other search engines love.

If You Must, Sponsor Some Links.

There are a few sponsored links worth getting. Yahoo Search Inclusion is one example. If you are in a highly competitive industry, such as adult, SEO, mortgage, finance, or gambling you will need to purchase links to get an edge. There are a lot of people competing for your terms.

Conclusion

Use common sense. The best way to get ahead is by being honest, and providing a decent service. Stop trying gimmicks or tricks to cheat your way into good rankings. The best long term SEO plan involves taking the high road and doing things honestly. Check out the SEO book to see what I learned about ethical SEO. Now I don't have any problems getting people to my website. You can too, all it takes is a little effort!

About The Author
Jeremy Morgan is a Portland SEO who frequently blogs about SEO and how to earn a living online.

Marketing Strategies Success(TIPS 8):The Truth About Direct Email & Email Lists - What`s Unsafe

In today`s we`re getting "back to basics" the basics of direct email marketing AND email lists. This is a lesson you`ll really be able to put into practice!

What you`re about to learn will save you time, money, and frustration. So read carefully.The time you spend today will pay off for years to come and it will put you ahead of most marketers out there.

The Truth About Direct Email & Email Lists - What`s Unsafe

Unsafe Email Marketing

Unsafe email marketing is a method many people foolishly try, thinking it will yield big money fast.When you send an UNSOLICITED EMAIL to someone when you invite yourself into someone`s email box without invitation or permission that`s called SPAM.

If the people receiving your messages have no interest in your offer, or they simply don`t know you and don`t want to know you, chances are they`re tossing your message into the trash bin and you`re tossing your marketing dollars down the toilet.Sending spam and that`s exactly how your unsolicited message will be reviewed, regardless of the value of your offer gives your business a black eye and damages your reputation.and the "kicker" is:it doest`t` improve business!

EMAIL ON STEROIDS - BULKING UP IS BAD

Conducting a marketing campaign using BULK EMAIL will manifest the same results as spam.

You may have seen ads that say, "1000000 email addresses for only $29.95." Don`t fall for that. You`re only going to get spam complaints and your ISP connection may be shut down!

The reason for this is that most all of the bulk mail lists you see being advertised online are nothing but a list of email addresses that have been harvested from websites all over the Internet.These addresses and are then sold again and again as "targeted" bulk email.

WARNING:The only "target" here is your money!You MUST stay away from these bulk lists.They`re a waste. Remember that a list that`s advertised as "Targeted" is probably not accurate, reliable or safe.

If you were marketing a revolutionary new gardening tool, would you send 10000 direct mail pieces to names randomly snatched from the phonebook?

Or ...

Would it be wiser to send your offer a mailing list of people who have recently purchased gardening tools and products through mail order?

BULLSEYE NOT BULL

No legitimate businessperson would ever send thousands of emails to random people culled from the Internet.Bulk mailing is unprofessional and makes you look bad.

Bulk mailing can make your bottom line look bad, too.You want to do more than hit your target, you want to hit a bullseye on that target.Bulk lists aren`t the answer.
When you do a direct email or direct mail campaign to a RESPECTABLE rental list,if the people on the list have never heard of you before (called a COLD LIST), statistically,you`re likely to get a .005% response or less.

Does this mean that email campaigns are doomed before they start? No at all.As long as you use emails that are safe,you won`t be sorry.

So keep your eyes peeled for your next tips the SAFE way to Email.

Till Then da!!