Link Request Email Tips from Eric Ward
By Eric Ward | Updated 1/2016
I’m willing to bet that at some point over the past few years, you’ve received an email asking for a link that looked something like this one below.
[Note: Check out my other popular posts at Link Building Myths, Link Building Videos, and What Makes a Web Site Link Worthy? while you’re here.]
Date: Thursday, November 9, 20xx To: webmaster@yoursite From: Someone you've never heard of Subject: Link request
Dear site owner,
I was looking at your web site and think we should link to each other. If you are interested, please add the following code to your HTML:
[Insert this HTML code]
Thanks,
CompanyURL.com
As ridiculous as it seems, the above link request letter and/or variants thereof land in my inbox. Every. Single. Day.
A link request sent via email should include several elements. Collectively, all of them serve two key purposes:
1). They let the receiver know you took the time to look at and study their site
2). They make it as easy as possible for the receiver to decide whether or not to link to your site
Avoiding Delete…
Below is a list of items your link request should (or could) contain, followed by the reasons why. Although these may seem simple once you read them, the overwhelming majority of link requests I receive do not contain any of them. While in certain cases there are also other elements, for this week’s column, let’s focus on these below.1). A subject line that follows any stated directions given by the site owner you are seeking a link from. On many sites with topical collections of curated links (the About.com guides, for example) the editor in charge often states that when asking for a link, you should follow certain directions. One of these is typically a special subject line, like:
Subject: Request for review
If you’ve not taken the time to look at the recipient’s site carefully, and you don’t follow the link request directions, don’t be surprised when you don’t hear back hear from the recipient. If no exact instructions are given, then you have a bigger challenge. My advice is do not put the word link request in the subject line, simply because there are probably 100 million emails with that exact subject line or something similar hitting inboxes and getting deleted every day around the world.
Below is a great example of a site that represents a fantastic link opportunity for those with the right content who actually follow directions. Established by Congress in 1965, the NEA (National Endowment for the Arts – https://www.arts.gov/about-nea ) is willing to link to a very specific type of content. Go to the below URL or read the image below where I’ve highlighted the submission instructions.
https://www.arts.gov/lifetime-honors/nea-national-heritage-fellowships/make-nomination
The lesson is clear: Follow instructions!
2). The site owner’s name. It seems so simple, but take the time to look through the site you are seeking a link from, and find the site owner’s name. Include their name immediately in your email, because if you don’t, chances are they will assume your email is automated spam. so he or she knows you’re not a spammer. If you can’t find their name, look for a phone number. Call them. Yes, actually use the phone.
In the above link request I received, it was immediately obvious this person had never been to my site, even though the email indicated otherwise. If this person really had been to my site, my name is the first thing he or she would have seen, and after a few minutes, they would see that I don’t offer a links page.
3). Your name. Again, it’s just common courtesy. The person requesting a link is a human being and so are you. A first line like “Hello, Mr. Ward. My name is John Smith” tells me that at least this person has taken the time to find out who was running my website and is nice enough to tell me who he or she is. It also shows me that he or she didn’t send that same email to 4,000 other people unless by some bizarre coincidence their names were all “Mr. Ward.”
4). The exact URL on their site where you hope to earn a link. “On your site, I see you have the following content (URL)”
(By now the reader of the email knows you know his/her name, site name, and URL. You obviously are not lying to them or spamming them).
Don’t show fake sincerity or imply friendship when, in fact, you’ve never met me. Be professional, courteous, and to the point. I really get turned off by email from people who act like we are buddies.
5). Your site’s name and home page URL. “I am contacting you about my site, called ‘SiteName,’ which is located at http://www.SiteName.com”
6). A SHORT paragraph that describes your site. Do not oversell your site or give them 76 reasons why they need to link to it. If they link to it, it won’t be your email that earned the link. The email alone cannot earn a link, but it can certainly cost you a chance to earn one. The link will come when they look at your site and determine whether or not your content is link worthy to them.
The email alone cannot earn a link, but it can certainly cost you a chance to earn one
7). The exact URL you want them to link to on your site. “Since I have a splash page that has some large images, you may prefer to use this URL for linking: http://www.SiteName.com/home2.html”
8). A valid email address and respond to any requests made to that address. “If you would like to contact me about this, please feel free to reach me at my personal email address below.” And please –PLEASE– use a real email address with a name in it. When I receive an email sent from linking-campaign@whateversite.com, I feel so special that I hit the delete key twice, just for good measure.
9). Your phone number. “Or, if you prefer, you can also call me at this phone number: (put your phone number).”
An Example…
Below is a sample of what a full link request email would look like. It’s from a long ago client but it is nearly identical to what I use successfully today.
NOTE: Due to the number of people who have copied, pasted, edited and completely bastardized/ruined the example outreach email I had included here, I’ve removed it. How’s that for irony?
What your email doesn’t say is just as important…
Any webmaster or site manager who receives the above email can tell immediately many crucial things about me and my link request:
- I took the time to actually look at their site. How else could I call it by name?
- I took the time to find out who runs the site
- I reviewed the site for appropriateness. How else would I have known he had a “bird links” area?
- I followed any link-request instructions. How else would I have known to put “Editorial submission question” in the subject line?
- I didn’t send that same email to 25,000 people
- I value their time by making it easy for them to know just what URL I wanted to be linked, and where
- I respect the site content by subscribing to the site’s newsletter
- I looked at more than just the home page
- I am not afraid to put my phone number in the email; spammers won’t do that
There are many additional subtle points to this process, and many additional things I might need or have to include, but these are not right for every scenario, so let’s keep things as simple as possible for now.
The bottom line is that by recognizing the individuals on the receiving end of your link requests and showing them courtesy and respect, you have a far greater chance to get a response. When I receive link letters, I look for tell-tale signs that I was not singled out individually. If I spot an obvious bulk link seeker, I delete the email immediately.
And yes, this means you cannot automate this part of the process and yes, this means you have to create and send each link request one at a time. As you should.
Sometimes each site takes an entire three clicks and two minutes. Big deal. This is a lifelong link you’re seeking. Why would you short-cut this most human and crucial communication/exchange?
Use this Category Navigation List to quickly move through my site
Newsletter
Private Strategy Session
Services
Linking Articles
About The Author:
Eric Ward founded the Web’s first service to help introduce web content to the online world, back in 1994. Then lightning struck when Jeff Bezos asked Eric to announce and publicize Amazon.com’s debut launch. Eric subsequently won the 1995 Award For Internet Marketing Excellence (the industry’s “Oscar” back then). Eric creates and has executed content linking strategies for PBS.org, WarnerBros, The Discovery Channel, National Geographic, The New York Times, TVGuide.com, Paramount, and Weather.com.
Today, Eric continues to offer link building training, workshops, strategies, and M/A counsel and publishes the content linking strategy newsletter LinkMoses Private. Eric and his methods continue to be written about in numerous publications and featured in college curricula. Eric has presented at over 160 industry conferences and symposiums. In 2015, Eric contributed to the book Success Secrets of the Online Marketing Superstars, and in 2013 Eric authored the book The Ultimate Guide to Link Building for Entrepreneur Press, now in its 3rd printing.
Going back further, In 2008 Eric was one of 25 people profiled in the book Online Marketing Heroes, from Wiley & Sons, Inc., written by Michael Miller, and in 2000 contributed to the book E-Volve-or-Die.com: Thriving in the Internet Age Through E-Commerce Management. Back in the Dark Ages (1997) Eric was named one of the Web’s 100 most influential people by Websight magazine. Eric also contributes to the LinkWeek column for search industry news site SearchEngineLand.com and has also contributed to SearchEngineWatch, Web Marketing Today, ClickZ, MarketingProfs, and print magazines Search Marketing Standard and Ad Age.
Eric, his wife, and three children live in the shadow of the Great Smoky Mountains in Eastern Tennessee. Eric works alone by design and prefers to take a hands-on approach with his clients. You can learn more about his link building training, workshops, strategies and other services here, and contact him here.
