The word ‘baiting’ has an ugly connotation to it as if you are duping someone when truly it is about inviting someone. Wouldn’t Link Invites have sounded more positive? Why is it the big shots never take advice from the genius little small shot that is me? Anyway, as far as the concept goes, link baiting is a SEO technique where you invite people to link to your site through interesting content or Infographics, as a result of which your site receives more traffic and links hitting it. However, for that the prime component a really good piece of content or informative infographic or Meme must be created..
There are few things to keep in mind while optimizing especially if you want some link baiting action. They are more like guidelines rather than cheating because you can’t really cheat your way to a good content, or image design. You could check on what your competition are creating and simply follow their lead if you are short of content or image ideas yourself.
Time it Right
We have all become used to information, lots and lots of information. We are constantly getting news as it breaks, while it breaks and sometimes before it breaks. If the news is not breaking we are not bothered about it. People want the latest and most up to date information. Would you rely on a post that spoke about a topic dated a year back? Probably not as in a year everything will have changed. SEO consultants should aim to update their content constantly to keep up with what is currently happening in the world of their clients. Time is money, and it seems like ‘timing’ can also be money if you get it right.
Courting Controversy
We are all inborn snoops. We love gossip and all things that are forbidden or not meant for our ears. That is a trait that defines mankind. If it wasn’t for this trait, none of us would be here as Adam and Eve would be sitting pretty in the Garden of Eden, doing something quite boring for sure, (forgive the religious pun). SEO consultants should make their content skirt a controversy, present it in a different light, and invite people to share their views. It will definitely draw attention resulting in shares and linking, which is what we are all after as internet marketers. Be sure, however, what you are saying has a point, and is accurate. You do not want to offer lies and propaganda to try and tempt people to your site. If you are found out, and the chances are you would be, then the site you are promoting will need a whole lot of Reputation Management to regain its integrity with searchers and potential clients.
Bring out the Content Corsets
Okay, I just made the term up but you know what I mean, right? Corsets were worn to achieve a desired structure and shape. If you can shape your content well, and design your graphics to impart information that can be digested easily whilst directing the readers’ attention exactly where it needs to go, it will definitely make your link bait popular and successful. By structuring your content by way of lists and subheadings, you prevent your SEO content from being a long-drawn babble of the mentally challenged. No offence. Info graphics should at most have a three colour theme, you do not want to lose attention from the information you are giving visually.
Quirky, Cool, Eccentric
If you need to be mad, be eccentric. There is a distinct difference between being, mad and eccentric but no one can tell you what the difference is. It should never feel like you are asking for attention, it should just be a natural reaction to your unique awesomeness. The link bait itself should also be like that so that people are drawn to link with you without you needing to beg and plead, like I did with this guest post lol….
Dan Vassiliou has been involved in SEO and internet marketing for over 12 years now. You can contact him here at www.seonorthampton.org anytime. He will happily answer your online marketing questions, and make sure you are pointing in the right direction when it comes to any online promotional campaign you may be running. Keep up with Daniel through his social media tags below here. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter & LinkedIn