Local Link Building Guide

[Linda Buquet]

In general I say don't build local backlinks - EARN them! But +Darren Shaw originally shared this and said it's a good guide. Anything Darren says is good is worth a read in my book.

Below are a couple snippets. Click over to read the rest!

<a href="http://citationlabs.com/the-guide-to-local-link-building-campaigns/">The Guide to Local Link Building Campaigns</a>

Local link building stumped us when we first began. The “local web” presents a shallow microcosm of the broader web. Topically speaking it’s an inch deep and a mile wide...

1) Understand Local Link Motivations
We began our efforts believing that local linkers would all be similar to our “topical authority” linkers – that is, that they’d consist primarily of concerned librarians, helpful experts and webmasters otherwise committed to helping their audiences. They’re out there, but not at enough scale to make a difference. So now when we begin a local campaign we refresh ourselves on why local linkers add links.

9) Above All: Serve Your Local Community
Remember – if what you’re doing benefits your local community in some way then at the very least you’re doing a small but decent thing, no matter the end result for your business.

What do you think?

 

[JoshuaMackens]

Not a bad guide at all.

I've honestly been trying to find ways to sponsor local events for our clients. Sometimes I would imagine even $20+ donations could earn you a backlink.

Surely there is a website out there that allows someone wanting to start a local event to post about it and receive donations/sponsorships? Like a website that is a aggregator of community events?

If not, there's an idea right there for someone to start. Crowdfunding for local events.

 

[Linda Buquet]

Hi Joshua,

Here are some good posts:

<a href="http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/local-search/18204-out-box-local-marketing-4-ways-use.html">Out-of-the-Box Local Marketing - 4 Ways to Use Meetup for Links, Citations, Customers</a>

<a href="http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/local-search/9890-local-search-citations-links-via-event-marketing.html">Local Search Citations & Links Via Event Marketing</a>

<a href="http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/local-search-news/21922-local-event-marketing-earn-links-build-citations.html">Local Event Marketing: Earn Links, Build Citations, Get Reviews - Moz</a>

And Phil's latest:
<a href="http://www.localvisibilitysystem.com/2014/12/03/the-lazy-mans-way-to-find-meetup-com-local-link-opportunities-in-5-seconds-or-less/">The Lazy Man’s Way to Find Meetup.com Local Link Opportunities (in 5 Seconds Or Less) | LocalVisibilitySystem.com</a>

 

[Laustin1878]

Not a bad guide at all.

I've honestly been trying to find ways to sponsor local events for our clients. Sometimes I would imagine even $20+ donations could earn you a backlink.

Surely there is a website out there that allows someone wanting to start a local event to post about it and receive donations/sponsorships? Like a website that is a aggregator of community events?

If not, there's an idea right there for someone to start. Crowdfunding for local events.

This was an angle I used to take as it seemed to be a more genuine way to earn publicity. Does this work after Penguin? I think this is a great idea and tactic if G doesn't frown upon it.

 

[JoshuaMackens]

This was an angle I used to take as it seemed to be a more genuine way to earn publicity. Does this work after Penguin? I think this is a great idea and tactic if G doesn't frown upon it.

That's a good question.

When it comes to Penguin, Google does its best to mirror a human being's thinking. But, it's important to remember, they are just a robot. They can't pick up on the same signals that you and I can.

I can look at a link on a website and within 5 seconds, determine whether that's a legitimate link or not, just like the rest of you can.

Google however, cannot. That's why they miss so many poor quality links in their penalty updates. They're trying to hit as many bad links as possible without hitting good links as well. This causes them to turn the dial very low on what is a bad link and what is not. This is important, keep that in mind.

It's also worth noting that Penguin looks at low quality links but also over optimization in anchor text.

It's my personal opinion that if you get real links, on real websites (not web 2.0's, forums, etc.) then Google is always going to let those pass through, unless your anchor text is over-optimized.

Combining the two points above, I almost never worry about where my backlinks are coming from. But that's because I get them from real websites and don't over optimize my anchor text (I actually don't optimize it at all).

Throw in the fact that Google has become much more in tune with negative SEO and are loathe to penalize someone too quickly, there is zero reason to worry about getting a backlink as long as it is from a quality source.

Now, how valuable that link will be? Who knows. But if you're getting real links, you don't need to worry about getting a penalty.

The worst thing that could happen is maybe Google flags your real link as a spam link but it's going to take a lot more links than just 1 to get you penalized.

If your links are real, don't be reserved about building them. Just do it

You guys are awesome!

---------- Post Merged at 01:30 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 01:27 PM ----------

Hi Joshua,

Here are some good posts:

<a href="http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/local-search/18204-out-box-local-marketing-4-ways-use.html">Out-of-the-Box Local Marketing - 4 Ways to Use Meetup for Links, Citations, Customers</a>

<a href="http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/local-search/9890-local-search-citations-links-via-event-marketing.html">Local Search Citations & Links Via Event Marketing</a>

<a href="http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/local-search-news/21922-local-event-marketing-earn-links-build-citations.html">Local Event Marketing: Earn Links, Build Citations, Get Reviews - Moz</a>

And Phil's latest:
<a href="http://www.localvisibilitysystem.com/2014/12/03/the-lazy-mans-way-to-find-meetup-com-local-link-opportunities-in-5-seconds-or-less/">The Lazy Man?s Way to Find Meetup.com Local Link Opportunities (in 5 Seconds Or Less) | LocalVisibilitySystem.com</a>

Great articles Linda.

Has anyone heard about a website though that allows people to post events to find sponsors?