Post Google’s new Penguin update, it’s become all the more important to get creative with link building and come up with ways to attract natural links and traction for your website. The following is a list of the 9 most innovative and effective post penguin link building strategies:

1. Listgraphics and infographics

Listgraphics are created using links. As the name suggests they are simple graphics that include lists. For instance, you could create a listgraphic about ‘20 ways to promote your blog’. Infographics simplify complex data through graphics – which is what the audience wants. They aren’t looking for encyclopedias and do remember that complex data turns them off. Just remember that you need to embed a code at the bottom of each infographic so that whoever uses your inforgraphic links back to your site.

2. Give-aways

People enjoy freebies. When you start giving small freebies, not only will people like you but also start writing about you.  Some of most successful brands and bloggers use this technique regularly.

If you don’t want give-aways to put too much strain on your pocket, or if you think your products alone don’t make for interesting giveaways, you could look at cross arrangements. For example, a bottled water brand recently ran a give-away contest that included vouchers for a fitness club, along with a case of sparkling water. The salon in turn also promoted the campaign as it featured their brand as well. The bottled water company thus saved on their costs and got additional exposure from the cross-promotion as well.

3. Interview the connoisseurs

If you email someone saying that as a consequence of their greatness, you want to interview them; it is less likely they will say no. Once you’re done with the interview, you can ask them to link the interview to their Twitter or Facebook page, or share it on their website, or better still their press page.

4. Create viral Facebook pages

Create a page about something people on Facebook will find interesting. Have a look at some of the viral pages to get an idea. To get the page going, use sites like empireavenue, fiverr, exchange sites. Gradually spend a little on promoting your page or buy FB PPC likes. It is more likely to get likes when audiences already notice social proof (existing likes on the page).

5. Sponsor a non-profit

Sponsoring a non-profit doesn’t require an exchange of cash. This in itself is attractive, right?  One can volunteer their products, services or time and get a link in return.

6. Supply royalty free images

Invest in a good camera, or borrow it from a friend (who wouldn’t turn you into a slave for using his camera). Click good high resolution pictures and put them up on your website. Place the clause that they are royalty free. All that people require to do in order to use the images is to link back to you.

7. Personalized videos

Heard of Santa Yourself or ElfYourself? They are cool sites where you have to upload a picture of your face and then a Santa video or Elf video is made out of it. At the end of the video, one is given a link to share the same or post it onto your blog. Audiences love personalized stuff for themselves as well as their loved ones. If you too can come up with such a concept, you can leverage it to build links.

8. Get PR and press

The press will always link to you when they cover your company. Organize an event that will want the press to cover you; perhaps a charity event or something as crazy as ‘who eats the maximum burgers’. You can also have a talk with your local PR agency and see how they can you.  There are PR agencies which run on a pay per performance model like PRserve. You pay them if they get the press for you, and there’s no pay if they don’t get you the press.

9. Add interesting facts and stats at the end of posts

Short and sweet facts at the end of tweets and posts are often retweeted and shared. Usually anything short gets attention, and anything sweet is liked. Use clicktotweet.com to make it easy for people to tweet these stated facts.

Image Source: http://lerablog.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/link-building-key.jpg

 

 

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