The Internet is a vast and powerful force, but it can be difficult to navigate. Fortunately for marketers, content marketing has emerged as the best way to establish your brand on the web and attract website traffic so you can build links with ease. According to one of the most common SEO misconceptions, quality content produces natural links. Unfortunately, it isn’t the case. Every day, thousands of website owners produce hundreds of pieces of high-quality content…without a single backlink to show for it. In today’s congested content environment, you need to elevate your material to the next level to gain links. In this chapter, I’ll guide you through the actions you need to take to create the kind of high-quality, epic content that automatically produces links (or with a little push).
Steps to content link building:
1. Look for what already works.
You need to know what’s currently out there in your market before you can develop link-magnet content. Here’s how to do it. The first step is to research keywords in your area to use as a framework for your content. It’s pointless to publish a 3000-word essay that revolutionizes your business if it’s only going to rank for a keyword with 100 monthly searches. To begin, go to Google Keywords and type in a few keywords you’d want to rank for:
Select “Exact” from the “Match Types” drop-down menu.
Then you’ll find a list of keywords in your field with a reasonable search volume. Sort by the number of local monthly searches.
Click the download button and choose “All search results” to save these keywords as a.csv file:
This.csv file will serve as a working list of the keywords you’ll use to create your epic content. Remove any terms that are either irrelevant or have a lot of competition:
- Using SEMRush to Find Keywords
If the terms Google suggests are too competitive or irrelevant to your site, you may use SEMRush, a fantastic free tool, to discover which keywords your competitors are currently ranking for. First, sign in and go to your dashboard once you’ve created an account. Then, in the field at the top of the page, type the domain of a competitor:
You’ll see a lot of beautiful graphs and charts, but focus on the “Organic Keywords” section of the page:
You may come across unique keywords that the Google Keyword Tool did not display. In your spreadsheet, copy and paste any keywords you’d want to rank for:
It’s time to examine what’s already ranking for your target keywords after you’ve finished your list. Check out Google’s top-10 for the first term with a reasonable search volume:
Keep in mind that many of these sites are ranked based on the domain authority and general popularity of the site (more eyes = more links). Your task is to examine each of the top ten results and create something that is superior and produces natural connections and social shares. This leads us to the following stage…
2. Make Something Even More Excellent.
The majority of material, even exceptional stuff, has the potential to be taken to the next level. Here’s how to spot flaws in existing material so you can make something even better. Let’s have a look at the #3 result (http://www.seobook.com/archives/001792.shtml) using the sample term above:
As one would anticipate, this is a fantastic piece on an authoritative site. It’ll be difficult to defeat. However, there are a couple of ways that we may outperform this post in terms of both quality and on-page SEO. So open WordPress and follow along to plan out your next massive piece of content.
- On-Page SEO Evaluation
First, use the Search Engine Analysis tool at http://www.seoworkers.com/tools/analyzer.html to examine the page’s on-page SEO, including meta tags and content optimization. Simply go to the website and type in the URL of your competitor’s page:
You’ll also get a detailed assessment of the page’s on-page SEO. This page’s title tag does not include the exact match term (“link building”) in this case: A description tag is also missing from the page:
And there’s no information (target keyword or LSI keywords) in the alt image element to tell Google what the page is about:
- URL
Your keyword should ideally be included in the URL of your page. Unfortunately, in this situation, the page’s URL isn’t keyword-rich:
There are four easy ways to get an on-page advantage over this page. Start with them in your WordPress draft post. Set a permalink with the relevant keyword in it.
To add keyword-rich alt text to a picture, do the following:
Also, be sure to include your keyword in the title and description:
That, however, will not be nearly enough. If you want to compete with the big guys, you must outperform them with superior equipment.
- Look for flaws in the content.
It’s now time to look at how you can improve what’s currently out there. Here’s a copy of the checklist I use.
1. Timeliness
One of the most straightforward methods to outperform existing material is to develop something more current. While certain categories (such as dating) contain essentially evergreen material, most of them are always changing. Simply copy and paste the URL of your page into Google to determine the date it was created:
In truth, this article was written as an updated version of another link-building article:
Although SEOBook’s essay is relatively fresh, you can never be too up-to-date in a fast-moving sector like SEO. However, merely updating this list will not be sufficient. However, it will be beneficial.
2. Awe Factor
You’d be surprised how many pieces of content get links from their sheer volume or “The Awe Factor.” Although the SEOBook article in this example is high-quality, it’s a whopping 101 tips and strategies definitely plays a role. In fact, another top-10 result for this keyword is a 100+ list:
One method to stand out is to make a list that is far longer than these. Could you come up with a list of 200, 300, or even 500 link-building ideas? Consider how simple it would be to create connections to a 500 techniques or advice website.
Make a note of it in your draft post:
3. Design
One part of link development that isn’t mentioned nearly enough is design. It’s important, however, since consumers tend to judge a site’s content’s trustworthiness based on its appearance.
The design of our SEOBook sample is really professional. However, it is missing features such as screenshots, photos, and infographics. You’ll be able to generate links on the fly if you make not only a long list but also a better design.
You have two options: create a bespoke page in WordPress (you will need to pay a professional designer) or just upload a bunch of screenshots. Jing is the greatest free screenshot software. Add arrows and other highlights to your postings to make them easy to follow. Make a screenshot of Jing and put it in your WordPress article, so you don’t forget:
4. Thoroughness
Another strategy to gain a leg up on your competitors’ material is to create something more comprehensive than what they’ve already published. For example, the article from SEOBook contains some instructions… Additional, comprehensive procedures for some of the recommendations and tactics, on the other hand, would undoubtedly bring more value.
To remind yourself to flesh out the steps in your essay, write “Steps” in your draft post.
3. Produce Content.
Now that you’ve created a content plan, the real job begins: generating a piece of content that people will naturally want to share. But just because enormous lists clutter the SERPs for your chosen term doesn’t mean you have to follow suit. Other content forms that have a history of garnering connections are listed below.
- Roundups of Experts
One of the simplest methods to generate a slew of links to your article is to solicit experts’ opinions in your area. They (and others) can’t help but link to you since you’re promoting bloggers’ perspectives in your field. First, choose a subject in your specialty that many people are curious about or that has some opposing viewpoints. For example, an overview of the future of SEO, black hat vs. white hat, and the impact of social signals would be useful in the SEO area. You may also compile a list of lessons learned, amusing tales, or suggestions on doing better. Second, use AllTop.com and Technorati to discover blogs to pitch. Alltop is a merit-based directory of the best blogs and websites in almost every industry.
Visit http://alltop.com/ and type in a term that defines your industry:
The website provides you with a menu of choices. Consider browsing through the recommended keyword lists later to see if there are any blogs in relevant disciplines you may visit.
For the time being, let’s stick to what we were looking for: SEO. Alltop will provide you with a list of the most popular blogs in your field:
Then go to http://technorati.com/, which is Technorati’s main page. To search for blogs rather than posts, click the “blogs” button at the top of the screen:
To use the magnifying glass, type in your keyword and press the magnifying glass button:
The amazing thing about Technorati is that you can often locate sites that are laterally connected to yours that you wouldn’t have seen at AllTop.
It’s not required to look at measures like homepage PR, Twitter followers, and other quality indicators. The sites that appear in Alltop and Technorati often get a lot of traffic and have a lot of PR to spread around. Make a brief spreadsheet containing all of the sites on this page and their contact information.
Now all you have to do is contact them one by one and ask if they’d want to participate in your roundup.
- Reach Out
Expect a low response rate if you’re new to your profession. Then, use this tried-and-true email template to increase your chances:
Hello there, [Blogger Name]!
For [your site], I’d want to hear your thoughts on [industry subject]. I’m compiling a list of views for my website, and I believe people would be interested in hearing your thoughts on [business issue].
Here’s the problem:
[Question]
Naturally, I’ll offer a link to your website (with a photo).
Thanks!
[Your Full Name]
- The Complete Guide
Creating the definitive guide to anything is a tried-and-true link-building tactic. People will instinctively connect to you when they discuss the issue since you have the most comprehensive information on the internet.
Creating a thorough guide isn’t easy: you’ll need to put in a lot of effort to develop something as detailed and informative as this.
To begin, choose a subject that lacks a comprehensive, authoritative reference. Go to Topsy.com and type in the following search terms:
- keyword + definitive guide
- keyword + ultimate guide
- keyword + step-by-step
From the left-hand sidebar, choose “All Time”: You may also sort by links:
Now, look through the list for a comprehensive guide subject that you think you can beat:
I didn’t notice anything regarding anchor text in the list. Given how essential that is in SEO, this seems to be a good chance. I double-checked by running the same search phrases through Google to see what’s out there. This time, though, I use a more particular keyword:
Based on the first 30 Google results, I don’t think there’s anything out there:
It seems to be in excellent condition. There isn’t a single resource that encapsulates all you need to know about anchor text. Here’s how to actually write The Complete Guide. To begin, locate the greatest existing material. These will be your sources of information. Enter your keyword into the top blogs in your niche:
It seems to be some incredible material! Rep the procedure on other popular websites or using Google. Each piece of material should be read and used to create a WordPress outline. Fill in any information gaps that other articles seem to have overlooked:
Now all you have to do is fill in the gaps, cite your sources, and you’ve got yourself a link magnet!
- Quizzes
Because quizzes are distinctive and interactive, they tend to garner a lot of connections. Remember that the quiz may be humorous and entertaining, like those found at http://theoatmeal.com/quizzes. You may also create a quiz that reveals something about your personality. Quizzes that test people’s knowledge may also be effective. For example, assume you wanted to create an SEO quiz asking, “Are You a White Hat or Black Hat SEO?” Click the “plugins” option in your WordPress dashboard. Select “Add New” from the drop-down menu:
In the plugin’s search field, type “Quiz”:
Then, from the drop-down menu, choose Wp-Pro-Quiz.
And then turn on the plugin. From the WordPress Dashboard sidebar, choose “WP-Pro-Quiz”:
Then give the quiz a title.
Also, provide a brief explanation of your quiz.
“Save” should be selected. 
However, your mouse over the title of your quiz and choose “Questions.”
Then click “Add Question” to add the following:
For a quiz like this, you’ll want to keep track of a certain amount of points based on their response. “Different points for each response” should be checked off.
Then, come up with a first question:
Select “Multiple Choice” from the drop-down menu:
And come up with your own solutions. You may not have “proper” answers depending on your quiz. You may consider certain answers “right” (like white hat answers) and others “incorrect” for a quiz like the one in this example:
Alternatively, you may allocate varying amounts of points to the various options and calculate the quiz’s outcome depending on the number of points they have.
After you’ve finished your first question, click “Save.” Rep until you’ve added between 10 and 20 questions. Return to the plugin’s dashboard and choose “edit” next to your quiz:
Now, under the “Results Text,” write something to let your participants know where they stand:
Finally, copy the shortcode that appears next to the name of your quiz:
And then put it into a blog post like this:
The quiz will display inside the post after it is published:
4. Get your links together.
You’ve spied on your competition and created a piece of content that far outshines their offerings. So, what’s next? Your objective is simple: attract as many people as possible to see your material. The more people who view your material, the more probable it will produce backlinks. And the three days after the publication of your article are ideal for links and social sharing.
- Your Twitter Followers Will Be Hit
One of the quickest methods to get the word out about your outstanding content is to notify your current social media followers. Because this isn’t your typical article, you’ll need to be strategic in your Twitter outreach. To begin, schedule your tweets to go out at a time when they will be retweeted the most: generally 5 p.m. EST on a weekday. You may also want to look at Tweriod, which provides free, tailored Tweet optimization advice. Visit http://www.tweriod.com/ for more information. Select “Sign Up With Twitter” from the drop-down menu:
Also, give the app permission to access your Twitter account.
The software will then provide you the optimal times to tweet depending on the activity of your followers:
This information is clearly more specific and trustworthy than the conventional guideline of tweeting at 5 p.m. EST. Use Buffer to ensure that the timing is perfect. To begin, log in with your Twitter account.
Then, at the top of the screen, press the sharer button:
To time your tweets, type in your message and press “Buffer”:
Change your Buffer schedule if necessary to reflect the time information provided by Tweriod:
- Stumbles for a Fee
The Paid Discovery program on StumbleUpon is a lightning-fast method to bring more people to your fresh, spectacular content. You can normally obtain a few hundred eyes with clicks as cheap as 5 cents for minimal expenditure. And a significant number of people will naturally stumble, tweet, and like your material, perhaps resulting in additional backlinks. To begin, go to https://www.stumbleupon.com/pd and register:
Select “create new campaign” from the drop-down menu. Then, put the URL to your item here.
Also, make a budget. You’ll probably just run your campaign for a few days to keep the buzz going.
Choose a name for your campaign.
StumbleUpon will automatically tailor your material to a population they believe will be most interested in it. If you’re still unsure, click the “edit” option under “audiences” and choose the demographic and interest data that best suits your content.
Select “Save and Review” from the drop-down menu. After that, click “Create Campaign.” And that’s all there is to it!
- Scoop is a great way to get your name out there.
Scoop. It’s content curation on a grand scale. It’s also a fantastic (cost-free) approach to give your content the boost it needs to become viral. Create an account first. At the top of your Scoop.it page, click “My Topics.” Select “Create Topic” from the drop-down menu.
Make it something relevant to your content.
Now look for other curators who also use Scoop. It has pages that are comparable to your content.
Pay close attention to people who have a lot of views. And Twitter followers (the majority of Scoop. it users). It junkies are prone to tweeting the material they find). By clicking the “Follow” icon on the right side of their page, you can keep up with them. It’s time to Scoop your own material after you’ve gained a few followers. Select “New Scoop” from the drop-down menu.
Choose “Create Your Own Scoop” from the drop-down menu.
Then copy and paste the URL of your item.
It will ask you where you want the information to be published. Choose one of the curators you already follow:
Then choose “Suggest.” Your work has now been delivered to that curator. They’ll put it on their Scoop. It page if they think it’s as cool as you do!
5. Site Promotion
It’s time to undertake some outreach and get a few additional quality links after the dust has settled and the hype around your article has calmed down a little.
- Roundups of Links
Roundups of Links might be the most underrated link-building technique on the planet. Where else can you find site owners in your niche actually looking to link to your content? If you’re not familiar with Roundups of Links, they’re simply blog posts that link out to the week’s best content.
- Roundups may be found here.
Here are a few search strings to help you quickly find Roundups of Links in your niche.
- + your niche + “link roundup.”
- “Friday link roundup” is a term used to describe a collection
- “Weekly link roundup” is a phrase that means “weekly link roundup.”
To make sure you’re just looking at sites with ongoing roundups, set the date to the past year or so:
Here’s one that seems to be a winner:
It seems that this blogger publishes a compilation every Friday:
It’s now up to you to contact this writer and offer your material.
If you don’t find anything — or want to get even more links — hunt for Roundups of Links in niches closely related to yours.
And then do it again.
- Poaching of links
This is a little sneaky, but it works well. You’re searching to see who has previously linked to your competitor’s article… and persuade them to use your link instead of theirs. Because you already know the individual wants to connect to a resource concerning your subject, this works very well (because they already have). After that, it’s only a question of persuading them that yours is superior (more on that later).
To begin, choose a handful of the top 10 results for your chosen term.
And then put them in OSE.
Select “Only External” from the drop-down menu and click the filter button.
Now go through each of the results and see if you can find a way for the site owner to exchange their link for yours (or simply add yours to the page). Here’s one that may work:
The piece was actually published three years ago, so it’s definitely overdue for an update:
Telling the blogger that you have a more up-to-date resource than the one they’re connecting to is one of the most successful strategies to get your link featured. Owners of websites are terrified of connecting to outdated content. So instead, simply contact the site’s owner and inform them about your new, cutting-edge resource.
Just 10% of people may respond. However, that 10% of connections will be from old, strongly linked-to sites that will instill a great deal of confidence and authority in your site.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is content link building?
A: Content link building is the practice of creating backlinks to your website. This allows search engines and users who are not on your site, such as potential affiliates, to quickly find more information about you.
How do you build awesome backlinks in 2021?
A: You need to build backlinks that would rank for relevant keywords. There are many ways of doing this, but the most common is to use anchor text in your blog posts and URLs.
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