This article was previously posted on linkbaitcoaching.com
Link credit winteriscoming.net
I always say, target those who link, if you wish to get links with linkbait
Few link voraciously than fans of movies and popular TV shows.
If you create a piece of content that is based on their obsession and resonates with their fan mindset (and remember fan = fanatic) it will make them more suggestible to a link.
It’s wrong to think of this as a trick as you will only tend to get links if the content:
- Provides a solution
- Adds to the canon of content regarding the subject in a meaningful way
- Creates or continues a particular discourse.
- It respects the fan
It helps if the content creator has an understanding of the particular fan base and is not coming to the tribe cold. Interlopers are outsiders and not to be respected. A fan base should be seen as a tribe and approached accordingly.
It may be that one of the fans could be paid to create content that is linkalicious. Most fans do it for the love and would be grateful to be able to pursue their love and make a little wonga.
Also, if you commission work from a fan who has a large and vibrant fan base you have an instant traffic base, which may add any social media signals and result in helping you get more links.
This type of content may seem a bit silly if you are for example a Bristol plumber and specialise in blocked toilets. But the linkalicious content does not have to be within the normal flow of website and so people who are ankle deep in water trying to search for an available plumber don’t get confused with an article on Dragon Eggs and the most efficient hatching temperatures.
Although, well crafted content that is a little tongue in cheek can do wonders for your brand. Especially if you are in a dry sector like Bristol plumbing problems, having content that emotionally resonates with your customers will increase brand recognition.
Don’t believe me, one word.
Meerkats.
In fact, make that two words, Russian Meerkats, can you imagine how that initial idea went down at corporate HQ?
Insurance is a serious business, it’s about death, pain, loss etc.
Very few businesses are more serious than providing such a service and so back to our Bristol plumber, of course you can use content that is a little bit cheeky and a little bit silly and there is not going to be harm done to the brand.
Although I am reminded of a lot of blank, client faces that look back at me when I mention this particular way of getting links.
One of these days someone is going to say to me, “we want links, but we want them in a very boring way”.
Anyway, new series of Game of Thrones starts tonight. And if you think I wrote this to take advantage of that.
Well, duh!
p.s. also works well with the Hunger Games