As bloggers we tend to always be on the lookout for useful content that we can write about or link to. The next time you see an interesting story, instead of immediately linking out to the story why not try and write about it in your own words instead? You’ll get more traffic that way and YOU will be seen as a useful source of information about the story, which will encourage other bloggers to link to you.
For example, if you see a story posted on someone else’s blog about a topic you like, don’t just create a new post like this:
“John has just posted his opinion of [some topic] on his blog. You can see his post [here]“.
Read John’s post and see if you can come up with your own post about that particular topic/event/product as well. There’s nothing wrong with YOU posting your opinion instead of just linking out to someone else’s. If you did come across the topic/product you’re blogging about by reading another persons blog just add something like this at the end of your post to give them some link love:
“I first heard about [whatever you're blogging about] on John’s blog at www.johnchow.com, so shout out to John for his informative post”.
This keeps everyone happy. You publish a new, informative blog post. John gets some link love and your readers are happy that you’ve taken the time to share your opinion with them instead of directly linking them to someone else’s blog.
This post was “guest blogged” my me, Mitchell Harper. I also run my own blog where I focus on tips to increase your website traffic. I have been online for over 10 years and run a successful software company called Interspire.
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{ 51 comments }
Great advice as always Mitch
I agree good advice!
I had an idea for monetizing out going links. Why not for some outgoing links use a redirected page and launch a pop-up ad before the reader gets redirected. then the ad loads with the linked site and appears like it is a pop-up for their site but you get the credit. hope that made sense.
will the majority of the readers catch on a be mad? is this evil? tell me what you guys think.
Well since people hate popups….
Also, if you use a redirected page then you aren’t passing any ‘link love’ on.
It is good advice. But the first thing that came to my mind was “DUH!”. Any good writer (content producer) should already be doing this.
Thank you,
http://WesleyTech.com
I wrote a post where I built up on John’s anchor text strategy. It got quite popular…
http://blogaboutmoneyonline.blogspot.com/2007/03/instant-seo-with-anchor-text.html
Yeah some sound advice, it also helps surpress the growing ‘problem’ of linkbaiting.
yes, great advice, this will keep people on your site longer.
Not only that, you’ll get more respect from your readers as well!
and respect will bring people back…
…and they’ll stay forever
Good advice…esp for beginner bloggers. When I first started blogging, I never realized that good content is a click away…right under my nose.
Yeah, all experienced bloggers know how to do this.
All experienced bloggers know how to do this, but newbies may not. It is good to see advice like this getting tossed around every once in a while for all the newbs.
Nice post. I’ve tried to follow this concept on both of my sites, with a reference to the original article included in my post but I always elaborate with my own thoughts and opinions on the topic.
A reference is always nice for the original blogger, plus you get a trackback from their site (if they have them).
A lot of long-term blogging relationships are born from trackbacks!
This is definitely one of your better posts Mitch. That’s a very helpful bit of advice. I have been guilty of taking the lazy way out sometimes. I always add my 2 cents, but sometimes that’s not enough to really qualify as useful information to readers. Thanks for the tip
I agree. At least give your opinion on the post and tell me why it is worth you linking to it.
You see that a lot-just a link and a sentence. If you put some words around that link your post will mean something more to the reader. Then maybe you will get a link from someone else.
I bet I’ve done it a few times too though. You are all invited to search around and find out.
Good post idea Mitch!
Hey guys just uploaded a theme to wordpress check it out and let me know what you think!
http://themes.wordpress.net/columns/2-columns/2256/ascetic-japan-10/
What’s with all the oddly placed question mark boxes and section headings?
None of the images loaded in the test run. Not sure if this is your fault or Wordpress Theme Viewer.
You definitely raise a good point – although regurgitated content can sometimes be just as bad as the basic link to other blog posts, especially when your readers read the same blogs as you! I wrote a recent article about this on my blog at:
http://www.communityspark.com/the-dangers-of-using-other-blogs-for-inspiration/
Great point Mitch. Gives me ideas for future articles. Thanks!
FT
Sometimes however it is better to quotes someone’s opinion. It is often hard to explain what someone had in mind. Do you agree with me?
Great article. I wrote something similar on my blog a while ago. If you’re interested, you can read it here.
Respect for Martin Reed – your idea about being careful is a worthy one to be considered.
I do that occasionally I make sure link love is given on sites its great because there are things people have written about but we all have different takes.
My take – You can be evil, but have good content.
much better idea than just linking…
good advice.
Yes, I agree. We make a blog to write our thought and not about cloning John Chow dot com. Thanks John.
Uhhh, okay.
Gotcha doc
Great advice! sometimes, people are all too eager to link their readers to an article, without first giving their opinions. Remember, if a person goes to your blog, he first of all wants to hear what you are going to say!
That’s true. Somehow you manage to think something like “this other [known]blogger already wrote about this issue, so let’s first link to her article…”. But surprise, your opinion counts too, so first elaborate on your ideas and then let us know what that other blogger said
I do not disagree with the advice of this article, however, it can also be troubling for original authors — especially if the blogger offering their “commentary” is a popular site.
For example:
I broke news on my blog in November about discovering 16GB of inbox storage in my GMail account. It was unheard of, and of course, much discussion occurred throughout the blogosphere.
The problem?
As the original author of the story, I was passed over in favor of these the “popular” bloggers’ commentary. Guess who got all of the traffic? They did. Essentially, they profited off of my own hard work and original story — all I got were a handful of clickbacks.
I posted this story to Digg, Netscape and other sites. My own submissions were ignored in favor of popular sites commenting on my own damn story.
Go figure.
(By the way, this isn’t the FIRST time this has happened — it really changed my perception of the blogosphere and popular user-driven sites such as Digg. Yeah, it put a foul taste in my mouth for sure).
Not sure I agree. When I read my feeds each day I really get tired of seeing the same story over and over and over and over and over again with little difference between the authors.
I have an approach on my blog where I simply post the link and write one or 2 sentences in a daily links post. I think my readers really enjoy it and I don’t go through the effort of writing an entire post around it.
If the story is already fully defined on another blog, why not simply link to it? It provides the original author with the credit, and it doesn’t waste my time nor my readers.
EXACTLY the point I was trying to get across in my recent blog post, Douglas!
Though Mitch didn’t say it, I think he was aiming this tip at people who often post just a link.
If 95% of the time you write great content, then sure it is ok to post just a link if you feel the original author says everything.
Heck, even Problogger does it! (with his ‘speedlinking’).
I agree with both doug and Martin. The problem is a lot of the well known bloggers obtain popularity from other bloggers ideas. But when you are talking about making money, you have to take care of yourself and not worry about the other person. Giving credit to the original author is the right thing to do. But sometimes giving them credit also consist of giving them money and readers. A better way to do this is to research the information extensively and find flaws in the authors article. Then link back to it pointing out the mistakes LOL
Yeah I’ve been trying to give a link back to any info I get from other sites. It’s good to read what others are saying on a subject, however you can usually add something useful yourself and even better if you can come up with unique content!
Good post Mitch.
This post was “guest blogged” my me, Mitchell Harper
don’t you mean ‘by me’
All the cool kids are saying ‘my me’ these days!
my me,
Kumiko
xo
Grammar changes all the time..
Good tip!! I’ve always just linked…hmm…this will change now
Link love, eh — that’s just brilliant, Mitch. It’s refreshing to read about these kinds of things, thanks!
I try to do this as much as possible. But sometimes it’s hard to do. Ya just gotta keep it short and simple or just take words outta peoples mouths.
Link only when necessary — we hear you, Mitch. This could be a new mantra we can all live by.
Thanks for the comments guys. I just got back from an Easter weekend in the outback so I’m stuffed! I’ll post pics on my blog later if you’re interested
Although linking has been like a religion for some, highlighting the best parts in one’s write-up could be more interesting.
All bloggers should think about this before posting. Why send someone directly to another site when you can add your knowledge and keep them on your site?
I try not to unless it is completely relevent to the article.