We've been talking about content creation on this thread: http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=269381. And someone brought up link bait. If done right, I think link bait is the best ROI action for a website. List some factors that make a link bait successful. I'll start. Unique content (not just rewritten stuff) Useful, entertaining, and/or controversial content
One good way to think about link bait is to ask whether an article, online tool, or piece of multimedia appeals to certain basic HUMAN NEEDS. I don't mean to get all Maslovian on you guys but its pretty straightforward. If your link appeals to a human NEED, people would either link to it or spread to their friends or both. Does it appeal to a person's need to connect with others? Need for respect and appreciation? Does it appeal to pride? Does it connect with a person's sense of humor? Does it mirror that person's ideology or worldview? OR Does it attack or call into question certain belief system? Does it jar emotions? There's so many ways you can craft link bait from a conceptual basis.
A great link bait can be made from pork or even slightly spoiled chicken, espically great when going for catfish............ ok ok, I just had to guys............