Over the past 6 months, I've been searching google for blogs related to my niche for marketing/link placement. I've only managed about 10% success with getting someone to actually email me back about my offer. Of those 10%, I've been able to work out a "blogroll" deal almost 75% of the time. Does anyone else use this method? It seems to be cheaper than going on DP or other webmaster forums for buying links. The main point behind my thread is for seeking advice on how to "cold" contact blog owners. My approach? Short and to the point, I've found that blog owners are more likely to reply to my email if I'm more direct with my offer. Usually the offer goes something like this: ---------------------------------------------------- Dear (insert name here or blog name), I would like to purchase a link to my website on your blogroll using the anchored text "blah blah blah". Terms: I am prepared to offer $25 for placement of my link on your blogroll for 6 months. This link placement shall be placed continuously without removal until the end of our agreed date. I can pay immediately via paypal. Please contact me at: xxxxx
I can always tell when there has been a PR update on the Google toolbar, because I start getting a ton of link purchase and exchange requests for one of my high ranking web sites. Personally, I appreciate the direct approach: tell me what you are offering and what you want me to do in return. If I'm interested I'll reply, if not, I won't. Also, I appreciate when webmasters have actually taken a look at my site and can tell me why their link or ad would be a good fit with what I already have there. I don't have any paid links in my blogroll, for example, just other related blogs. If you want to purchase an ad it will be somewhere else on the page. As a bonus, if your blog is relevant to my site, I might even add it to my blogroll for free. And don't do it this way: I was both amused and annoyed when I got an email from a webmaster that said he liked my blog, and would like to donate $$, and, by the way, how about putting a link to his site on my blogroll. When I replied that I'd appreciate the donation, but the link wasn't a good fit for my site, I never heard from him again. Imagine that! I don't like being treated like an idiot. If you want to pay for link placement, just come out and say that.
Great advice! Just to touch on that subject (What not to do), I once asked a blog owner to mention my link in their blog for payment through paypal. She was so upset, that she wrote me a 750 word essay email on, "Don't you know the ethics of online blogging", becuase according to her, it is unethical to take money without telling her readers for mentioning a link. I was quite shocked, (but admired her honesty). I wrote her a quick thank you for the response, because I could tell that it was something she felt compassionate about... What I really wanted to ask her, was, how many TV stars, website owners, actors, business owners, and the like who do not disclose that they're getting paid to mention certain products in interviews. It happens all the time. In fact, actress "Kathy Griffin" has made a living off of it. Not that she's my hero...lol
I would also prefer not to mention that it is a paid review as it always looks like: My readers, beware as I am doing it for money But before paying for a blog review I always ask a potential advertiser is he is likely to do so. If he is not, then we have no deal.
Getting straight to the point is what I like. I hate when someone is afraid to say what they want and the advertisers that act like they can't read. That really gets me mad. I built an advertise page for a reason. (So you don't ask me questions) Advice To Advertisers: Make sure you are straight to the point and clear as to what you want from a blogger.
Before you start talking terms, I would make sure the blog is actually seeking links. I'd say something like "Hi John (make every effort to find out their name) - I'm interested in advertising on your blog. My budget is $xx per month. Do you have any spots available at this time? If not, when will space be available?"
be direct. have a good offer. and keep it simple. definitely try and stand out from the crowd of spam that is in everybodies inbox, if it sounds like spam it must likely will be ignored by the blog owner
That is actually a very good idea. That way if anyone emails you, you can just direct them to a page that explains your policy and rates.
Most websites that offer paid reviews / sidebar links specifically mentioned it on some sort of advertising page. I personally don't buy either, I'd rather develop it naturally from having good content that people actually want to link to I'd suggest changing the email you use. Your email is very direct and to the point, but cold calling people requires more of a personal touch, something like this: ---------- Dear sir/madam/blog own/transvestite/etc, I recently came across your blog and love what you've posted, especially {outline a few posts of theirs that you like and why}. I run a similiar site at {insert url here} and was wondering if you would be willing to sell me some advertising space on your site in the form of a text link in your blogroll. If you would be interested in this, please reply to this email so we can work out the details. Sincerely, {your name} -------------------- Taking a personal approach will get you better responses. Never mention pricing/terms/etc up front when contacting them. You have to play on their ego a bit, it actually does help and it's what most professional sales people do. Now granted this method does take more time, but you'll get better results. I did this a few times in the past and we actually had a few sites just add our site to their blogroll without any discussion about pricing, they did it free simply because I praised them and had a very related site.
I have also encountered the same kind of issues with blogs. However, many times if it is a well developed professional blog they would have a contact form, email or advertising request options as listed above. I wouldn't be to worried about "cold calling" them. You are proactively seeking to pay them for their services. I would say that they would be very responsive. But what i have seen is reputable blogs will probably be charging more than $25/00 per month.
You'd be surprised what kind of links I've attained for such low cost. It seems like most webmasters and blog owners in my niche don't realize how much they could actually make from their high PR sites. Some of the links I've attained, (1) PR6 sitewide with 2500 links was $100 for permanent, (1) PR5 was $75 for permanent, and (4) PR 4 links have costed me anywhere between $15-$25 for a year. In less than two months, my brand new website has gone from no PR to PR 3, and one of my main section has a PR 4.