Beyond The Usual Link Building

Presented by Arnie Kuennarniek@verticalmeasures.com

http://twitter.com/arniek

http://www.linkedin.com/in/arniekuenn

A Few Quick Questions(Know your audience)

• How many of you do NOT consider link building one of your primary functions?

• How many of you think link building sucks?• How many of you are hoping to learn some

easy, fast, inexpensive ways to get trusted links?

My Background(Know your presenter)

• Have been building links for about 10 years• Formed Vertical Measures about 4 years ago• Primarily a link building company however

everything is geared around marketing & SEO • We have 60+ clients• About 25% of our business is outsourcing from

SEO & Web Development Agencies

Video Creation• Video is a great marketing tool, but it doesn’t

have to involve a film crew!• Produce your own simple videos

– Choose your concept and targeted keyword phrase– Develop a simple script and create a PPT

presentation– Use your own digital assets such as photos, logos,

screen shots, etc. Use publically available assets too.– Convert the PPT to video using a variety of

inexpensive software tools (We use Moyea’s PPT to Video Converter)

– We then do a voice-over and add some background music

Video Creation (cont.)

• Here is an example (took about 8 total man hours)

– Video Marketing Services Video– Google search for Video Marketing Services– Be sure to include your link in the description

WITH the http://

Content or Profile Links• There are many places where you can create

public profiles or content pages for free.– Often they have good authority metrics– Some offer DoFollow links– The key is to create value-adding content & build links

to those pages – Some examples:

• Google’s Knol (http://knol.google.com )• Hubpages (http://www.hubpages.com)• Buzzle (http://www.buzzle.com)• American Chronicle (http://www.americanchronicle.com)• Squidoo, Scribd, RateItAll, Spoke, LinkedIn, AboutUs.org,

HotFrog, and many more....

Your Clients & Suppliers(the twist here is how you approach them)

• Ask your clients & suppliers for links!– Offer company shirts, gift cards, discounts, etc. or

even a good old fashion reciprocal link – Send letters → via the US mail!!– Include an offer or request in your invoices

– Use the phone! Set aside some time for a telemarketing campaign

– Also: your local & national associations• Become a sponsor or make a donation, just make an offer

Contests & Promotions

• What makes a good contest? – A great offer or prize, valuable to the people you want to attract

• Why should they put in the effort to have a chance to win? • Can you obtain sponsors to help you out?

– Something reasonably innovative, not a “me too” contest • Avoid something your competitors have already done

– Proper time frame, enough time to enter but not so long they lose interest

• 3 days may be too short and in 30 days they may forget about you

– Create a buzz, who will help you promote it and how? • Your panel of judges, press releases, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook,

etc. Offer prizes to those who help you promote it.

– Optimize every page! • Use keywords and think long term

Contests & Promotions (cont.)

• Small Companies can run contests!• Bridal Contest• Answer 3 questions:

– Your engagement story– Your wedding day theme plan– What is special about your wedding that

you shall win this free sponsorship?

• Facebook Ad• Increased followers on Twitter

through regular tweets at:– www.twitter.com/customveils – like:

http://twitter.com/customveils/status/1849732048

Contests & Promotions (cont.)• Big Companies Too!• Major hotel chain has us working 6

different promotions– Attend a Motor Sports event, get a

discount– Visit Disney, get a discount – Attend LPGA event, get a discount– Go to a Little League Baseball game, get

a discount– Multi-night stay, get Double Rewards– Multi-night stay, get $50 Gift Card

Contests & Promotions (cont.)

• Even Link Building Companies!• Vertical Measures’ contest • Boost Your Juice (verticalmeasures.com/Boost-Your-Juice-Contest)

– $5,000 Grand Prize and $1,000 for 2nd Place– Some what unique (submit video or essay)– 2 week duration– Recruited a panel of judges (who help promote it)– Offer “socialize prizes” (Rebecca Lieb)

That’s a Wrap

My Contact Info:

Arnie Kuenn

arniek@verticalmeasures.com

http://twitter.com/arniek

http://www.linkedin.com/in/arniekuenn

www.VerticalMeasures.com