It actually suprises me there's very little talk around here on how to develop great content that folk would instantly send other people they know who'se interested in the same topic a link to, or link from their site or blog, etc. As un-natural linking is seemingly becoming the stiffler of a site and a sure way to be landed in the sandbox and the focus on valuable content comes back in to the forefront, it would be nice to see all your thoughts on what actually is good content and ideas for coming up with it within your niche. While content that's re-spun and is widely available on the Internet will provide some traffic through secondary phrases and what-not, it's obvious new and creative content will see the masses coming in from all over just to read/experience it and then linking and sharing with their friends. Thinkig from a surfers perspective, anything less then 'wow' for any given content on our sites will ensure our sites place in the saturated me too content market fighting for the trickle of traffic with thousands of other websites. As the SE's tighten up this is essentially what we're aiming for if this is how we're building websites at the moment. Why spend the time and effort (and in many cases the money) submitting to directories and writing to webmasters essentially begging for the odd link here and there. This seems way counter-productive and a complete waste of time. This is of course the only way to get the ball rolling for a site that isn't much different in its content then any other site within it's topic. With great content, very little in regards to link building would even need to be done - if any. I'd say the concentration should be more focused on PR after new creative content is published - and we all know how quick and relatively cheap it is to fire off a press release. Why link build at all? So, being in the occasional few sites that actively develop 'wow' content would obviously see us rise above the thousands competing on a mediocre level and now you're in the elite few websites and have essentially lifted yourself out of the sandbox - and I aren't talking the Google sandbox, but inevitably by creating such a site that wouldn't be a concern either. I aren't actually sure what the point of this post is, I'm just sat here thinking and tweaking my thoughts on a few things and wondered if anyone fancied sharing a few themselves. Have at it. Pete
What kind of "wow" content are we talking about? It seems to me that you will get more links by developing provocative content (racist overtones), political stuff (flash movies, etc), or just something totally stupid (badger badger badger). Beyond that, it is very hard to make "wow" content on a regular basis. A flash in the pan (numa numa) is one thing, but as a long term strategy, I'm not sure if its a much better use of time than link panhandling. I think the cost/reward situation is prohibitive for most people. I have great ideas for stuff, but when I get to the price of it for development, I have a hard time justifying it.
I thought it odd that you used the phrase, I had come across the site a few weeks ago. I was wondering if it was worth it, if you got spammed for taking the free reports...
I have always thought I was too stupid and/or untalented to create wow content. I have some sites that would exist fine without the search engines, but I couldn't live of them. I always thought people who say things like "create great content and the links will come" , either a) way more talented then me b) full of crap I always kind of looked at it like, if I went into a bank to get a loan, and they asked what is the marekting plan for your website, and I said "I'm basically going to let a bunch of unknown webmasters, deceide wether the site succeeds or fails" they would laugh me out of the bank.
I always thought it was B, personally. The only content that will get consistent links is a flash game, a movie, or something. some long winded essay on the merits of "growing yeast in a 4x7 aluminum box" may garner a random link from a random visitor, but certainly will never get a ton of them. I'd have to agree. If you are not out there getting links yourself, and rely on other people to link to you, I think you are dooming yourself to failure.
I agree...I don't have any sites that are viral sites...I market all of my sites on a regular basis. All viral marketing ends...myspace.com won't be viral forever, someone new will come out with something better. My sites, with steady marketing will be around and not so viral for a lot longer than myspace.
The key to benefiting from having gone viral (whether intentional or accidental) is to capitalize on that burst of traffic, because in will almost inevitably slow down over time. If whatever made you become popular is generic - i.e. a funny picture that appeals to the masses, or amazing article or whatever - it's a bit more difficult to lasso them into a long term 'relationship'. I've read the best bet is to pop on a banner that pays by the impression (not the click) or specifically pop on a 'friendfinder' or some other online dating website's banner that either pays by the click or gives commission when someone signs up for a free membership. Online dating is popular and appeals to a whack of the general populace, so may be a good bet. But if your website's "buzz" is attracting people of a specific niche - i.e. "5 Ways Ostrich Farmers Can Double Their Profits" then you have a better chance of grabbing and holding onto a chunk of the pack roaring in... If your website is directly related to that niche (i.e. Ostrich farms as opposed to a generic farming website) stick up a "Subscribe to my Free Ostrich Farmers Newsletter!" and maybe offer some kind of perk, like saying subscribers also get a free Ostrich screen saver or free ebook/report. In other words, try and capitalize on the wave on targeted traffic so you can begin and hopefully maintain a long term relationship with them (which of course is an opportunity to sell them stuff). If your site is more generic and you don't have a newsletter they'd be interested in (or whatever) then at least stick on some CJ or Clickbank items you can make commission from, and of course feature adsense ads too... and note it's been suggested you may want to contact google adsense staff if you know you're getting or about to get an atypical and dramatic increase in traffic; just so they don't suspect you of click fraud or something. Just my 2 cents thrown into this already very informative thread. -Steve
giving free reports away people actually want is the best way to get subscribers and then upsell don't be afraid of actually giving some "real" information away People will say "wow, that guy really knows his stuff, I wonder what else he has" something valueable pls
That's true, Leeds1 - giving away free reports is an excellent way to build a subscriber list. Some IM 'gurus' have built their virtual empire on the backs of free ebooks. Although times are a little tougher than the 'old days', since people are a little less inclined to give out their email address compared to the mid-late 90s fer instance. However, as you say, if you're giving out that something that's obviously valuable - and then really over deliver with the content - you'll attain and maintain a good sized targeted list. Personally, I'll be releasing an ebook within a month or so - but after careful consideration will likely charge a nominal fee (~$5-$10) on the first day and raise it by a few factors after that. Reason being... (a) it'll feature a fair whack of graphics so the pdf will be larger than the av-er-age bear, and I wanna recoup some of what it'll cost for bandwidth, and (b) people willing to pay *something* - as opposed to freebie seekers - may make better subscribers in the future, since they've already demonstrated a willingness to pay for information... At least that's one theory for why initial buyers are better than freebie-seekers when it comes to building a subscribers list... I actually am not completely convinced of that (because a freebie-seeker now may eventually end up buying something, or even a lot of things, somewhere down the road), but it's a convenient excuse for why I should charge for my ebook instead of giving it away and hoping for backend income. Great thread! -Steve
Linkbait includes a lot of incoming links that you yourself can't control. The best thing to do is go for it. You should always ask yourself something as basic as "Will people like what I'm putting up there?". It's not a guarantee that you will get links, but you need to allow surprises to find their way to you