Link bait, or link baiting, is simply creating content that encourages other people to link to your website. Good link bait has the potential to go viral, generate more traffic to your website and build valuable back links.

Good Link Bait

• YouTube videos are great link bait. People enjoy watching informative videos and the video’s creator will appreciate your link and likely reciprocate with a back link to your website. The best way to repurpose videos is to embed the video and include a summary, in your own words, of what the video is about.
• Summarizing other posts, with an appropriate link, also works well. Your post will show up as one of the originating site’s back links and encourages the author to spread the word about your recommendation. People like to share things that make them look good, so be sure to show appropriate respect for anyone’s post you share.
• Write articles. The Free Article Directory is a website where you can submit article with your byline and include a link back to relevant content on your website. Ezine Articles is another great site to submit original articles. Ezine Articles gives authors a bio with every article where you can include a link back to your website. With both sites, the more articles you write the more links you build.

Bad Link Bait

• Never republish anyone else’s content without acknowledging them as the original content creator. Publishing content without acknowledging the creator’s rights is stealing. If you are going to quote large parts of written content, it is a good idea to ask the writer’s permission first.
• Viral videos or popular stories that have nothing to do with your niche won’t help your website in the end. Picking up trendy content may bring a quick boost of traffic, but it only brings visitors who have no real interest in your website.

Link bait may be a deceptive sounding term, but the idea is to create links that will spread across the Internet. The idea is to build quality links that give a good impression of your website and share useful information. Creating link bait is good for your website and helps you network with others in your field. The next time you find an interesting video or article that applies to your niche, consider sharing it with your website’s audience.

Chris Darling and Methodic Pages…I work with owners of service based businesses who struggle with getting search engine optimized websites to represent their business online and want to benefit from standing out from their local competition.   I bring you a rare talent that integrates overall site layout, presentation, and on-page SEO with every project.   In working with me, my clients receive an interactive, highly optimized website that lays the perfect foundation for any online marketing strategy you decide to put into action.   If any of this speaks to you or your online business goals contact Chris Darling to get a free project based quote.

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