I can see a lot of people being confused after the last PR update. And so am I. What is the best thing to do? What is more important? Many backlinks, or few quality ones and more traffic oriented? I try to diversify my promotion strategy among my directories and see which one works better on the next PR update. I am not in a hurry. I want to take small steps, one at a time and consider the results of each step. I want my directories to grow at a stable rate without any "big bangs", and I think this is the way to inspire trust. So Unless someone can give me an answer to what the best strategy is I will wait the next PR update to see what works best.
Many factors come into the mix, but certainly slow gradual with some quality back links, along with original frequently updated unique content is one solid way to build a directory Many different ways but whichever way make sure your input is continuous and sustainable Good luck
When choosing to submit to a directories, choose the one that promotes it heavily and i'm not just talking about with cash, it could be other forms of promotion. Find out a little more about the directory owner whether if that directory owner is dedicated and committed of having a successful directory, this insures that he/she will try to take it to the next level which in return could be a beneficial to the site you have listed there. I have been testing and experimenting over the past few months and had purchase lots of domain and developed them and in return was rewarded with a descent PR, I was even more surprise that one of my blog site reach a PR5 in just 3 weeks, while 2 directories that I have held over the past year have just now gotten to be noticed despite the fact that I have been submitting them throughout the year and have now equaled to my other directories that was just develop 3 months ago and have the same pagerank as my newer ones.
The more the relevant links the better. Few Links from site related can make wonders than 100s of useless links.
Another of purist/traditional No1 SEO GURU Please go to Google sub-forum where we are having a lively debate on Matt Cutts and Paid Link thread. @OP -- I have nothing to advise ya except share my strategy. I want to make a 4 directories network and for I have divided my directories into two groups. #1-- I'll promote 2 directories the traditional way --i.e. --submit to directories -buy few site wides and do this and that --blah blah blah. #2-- I'll use another technique for the other two --and go very slow with them regarding promotion. I will try to use link-baiting with them and it will definitely need lots of hardwork with very any gain coming painfully and slowly. Once they are little older -I'll do a good promotion like a SEA WAVE and then stop for 3 more months. But remember-what wwws said -spend a lot of time here and try to understand directory owners --how they are and how serious/committed they are in their ventures. As for me --well I joined the bandwagon in January and been spending 13 hrs+ time after my directories. I am still a Kid in the market and have long way to go. But my target is to surpass Alive and Aviva in 2 years time- the two directories which have set the Benchmark for our industry. ( Sorry Jeff and Chris --you guys have a secret competitor -you better watch out ). Personally I can't pick any one of this as the best --because both of them are equally good --I want to change these and have a clear winner in 2010 with my Yet to be online directory.