Getting the idea

I have since updated this post with; Link Building Ideas for 2008

No matter how you look at it, links are a very important part of the SEO process. To what degree, varies over the major engines. They each have their own particular ‘flavor’ as to how they apply weighting and filtering in the treatment of links pointing towards your site, known as Back Links or In-Bound Links.

I wanted to give my personal take on the world of linking as well as some ideas to get you started promoting your site and building a stronger Link Profile. To begin with, this is NOT an exhaustive listing nor is it a comprehensive guide. I am merely outlining some strategies and ideas that can further your own creative promotional endeavors.

Awareness over Links

One of the easiest pitfalls that one can fall into is the concept of actually BUILDING back links as the core goal of the exercise. This belies the true nature of a ‘profile’. Might does not always mean right and bigger is not always better.

I will cover more specific methodologies for using each as I continue the series along.

Link Bait;
Create extensive resource lists for a specific topic. This will build not only links but authority as well.
Make your not only useful but easy to use and you will increase viral/organic linking ratios.
Build a tool collection. Original and useful tools (and collections of tools) get a lot of link love.
Contests can also make for great link bait.

Article Marketing
Syndicate an article at Repositories
Submit an article to industry news site.
Submit a story to DIGG
Publish an RSS feed for content of value (on site articles etc..)

AMAzines - http://amazines.com/
Article City - http://www.articlecity.com/article_submission.shtml
BPubs.com - http://www.bpubs.com/cgi/add.cgi
Buzzle.com - http://www.buzzle.com/secure/become-editor.asp
Go Articles - http://www.goarticles.com/ulogin.html
EzineArticles - http://ezinearticles.com/submit/
Business Know-How - http://businessknowhow.com/newsletter/articleguidelines.htm
Idea Marketers - http://www.ideamarketers.com/writers.cfm
Smart Ads - http://www.smartads.info/articles/

Blogs
Start a Blog. Probably not the greatest tool unless you commit to having semi-regular and useful content.
Link to other Blogs from your Blog. Often other Bloggers will follow their own in-bound links and reciprocate in kind.
Comment on other Blogs. Not only does it add to the quality of the Blog in question but it gives a back link and a potential contact in the industry.

Forums/Online Communities – Participating in your market community not only builds Brand and authority, but is another (minor) BackLink opportunity via Signature links.

Directories
Submit to Free non-reciprocal Directories
Find Niche Directories
Submit paid directories

Local
Become part of your Better Business Bureau
Submit to relevant city & state governmental resources.
See if your manufacturers, suppliers, sub-contractors will give a link back to your site.
Look to other business and networking associates
Participate in local ventures and sponsorships that will get links (newspapers, community, Government sites).

Trading/Buying
Get quality – relevant reciprocal partners.
Text Ads – using a Text Link Advertising Service works as not only a conventional advertising medium, but has the added bonus of targeted Back Link acquisition.
Rent some high quality – relevant Text Ads directly from Web sites – Search in your market segment for site ad opportunities.

In the end the 3 main benefits of a strong Link Profile development program are; Branding - Direct Traffic - Authority Building. The Back Links should be less of a direct consideration. Start thinking in terms of exposure – keep your pants on – in your market area and even vertical markets.

Related Works; The Basics of a Link Profile; http://www.reliable-seo.com/knowledge-base/seo_strategy/basics-of-a-link-profile.html

I have since updated this post with; Link Building Ideas for 2008 be sure to read it as well.