Outreach for link building is hard.
It’s time-consuming and repetitive. Especially when you’re trying to build links at scale.
But here’s the thing.
With the right approach, you can turn outreach into a streamlined, repeatable process that actually works.
In this guide, we’ll cover 10 proven outreach tactics to save you time, boost response rates, and help you build high-quality links.
Let’s dive in!
1. Review Your Competitors’ Backlink Profiles
Competitor analysis is a proven time-saving hack for finding quality link opportunities for your clients.
By looking at which types of sites are linking to your competitors, you can quickly identify backlink sources that are active in your niche.
No need to start from scratch.
You’re building a targeted list of relevant websites with a proven history of linking to similar businesses.
Use SEO tools like Ahrefs or Semrush for a deep dive into competitors’ backlinks.
The backlink gap feature is super useful here. You can compare your client’s domain to several competitors and see where they’re missing out.
Focus on authoritative sites that are already linking to your client’s direct competitors.
Pay attention to commercial page links. This usually indicates the competitor used blogger outreach or guest posting. So, that type of outreach might work for your link building efforts, too.
If the site is linking to an informational blog post, check to see if the topics are underdeveloped or missing on your client’s site.
Then, create a stronger version to pitch to website owners.
Competitor analysis works so well because it helps you find potential link partners with a history of giving backlinks in your client’s niche.
2. Find and Verify Email Addresses Before You Reach Out
One of the top reasons outreach campaigns fall flat?
Emails are going to generic inboxes like info@ or contact@, where they often go unread. Or worse, they bounce back.
To boost your success rate, make sure you’re finding real, active email addresses before reaching out.
Start by using email lookup tools like Hunter.io to track down the correct contact. These tools help you zero in on actual people instead of generic inboxes.
Once you have the email, verify it with a tool like NeverBounce.
Verification lets you confirm that the email is active and will actually reach your target contact, not an abandoned inbox.
Taking these extra steps means fewer bounces and more genuine responses.
Instead of your emails disappearing into a generic inbox, they’re landing with the people who can say “yes” and give you that backlink.
3. Personalize Every Outreach Email
Nothing tanks an outreach campaign faster than a generic email. A cookie-cutter message is an instant turn-off.
Average cold email in 2024 pic.twitter.com/h1ACGzcyjZ
— Dan Kulkov (@DanKulkov) October 17, 2024
Personalizing each email is one of the easiest ways to boost open rates and get responses.
A recent Backlinko study found that emails with at least one personalization point have a 20.3% response rate. In comparison, emails without personalization only see a 15.3% response rate.
That’s a significant difference for a small tweak.
Start with something genuine.
Open with a compliment or an observation about their site. Mention a recent post they published, a unique feature, or a detail you liked.
It shows you’re paying attention – not just sending out cold emails from a template.
Highlight how your content could bring real value to their readers. Make it clear you’re focused on what’s relevant to them.
4. Turn Unlinked Mentions into Backlinks
If your brand has some online visibility, chances are it’s already being mentioned on various sites. In many cases, without a link back to your site.
These unlinked mentions are one of the easiest link building opportunities.
According to a recent uSERP study, unclaimed mentions account for 12% of the top-performing link building tactics.
That means brands are getting significant results by simply tracking down mentions and converting them into backlinks.
You can use tools like Brand24 to find mentions of your brand, key products, or founder’s name.
When you spot an unlinked mention, reach out to the site owner and politely ask if they’d be open to adding a link. Emphasize how linking to your site makes it easier for their readers to find more information.
5. Provide Expert Quotes for High-Authority Backlinks
Getting quoted by journalists is one of the best ways to earn high-authority backlinks.
And you don’t have to wait for them to come to you. Platforms like Qwoted and Help a B2B Writer connect you directly with journalists looking for expert insights.
Sign up as a source, and you’ll start receiving requests from journalists who need expert quotes.
When you respond, make sure your insights are clear, concise, and valuable. Journalists work on tight deadlines, so your response should be easy to use right away.
Another way to find opportunities is by monitoring Twitter. Search for the hashtag #journorequest to see real-time requests from journalists looking for sources.
This type of link building isn’t easy. You need to be dedicated and patient.
You can use our Expert Quote Link Building Service if you prefer a more hands-off approach.
This service handles everything for you – from monitoring requests to crafting responses on your behalf. It’s an easy way to secure high-authority links without needing to stay glued to journalist platforms yourself.
6. Just Google It (Using Clever Search Queries)
Sometimes, the simplest methods work best.
Many blogs accept guest posts or product reviews. You just need to know how to find the right ones using search engines.
And while “Write For Us” searches are a start, going beyond the basics can help you avoid low-quality sites and find genuine link opportunities.
A couple of link building red flags
– The site has zero traffic
– The site has insane amounts of outbound domains
– The site has a “write for us” button
– The site used to have thousands per month in traffic, now has almost none
– The site is completely irrelevant to your site— The SEO Guys (@theseoguy_) June 5, 2024
Instead of just using “Write For Us” + [your niche], mix in other queries like:
- “Guest Contributor” + [your niche]
- “Submit a Post” + [your niche]
- “Become an Author” + [your niche]
- “Product Review” + [your niche]
This can help you uncover sites open to quality contributions without the usual “Write For Us” red flag.
You can discover more ways to find link building opportunities using search engines in our Google search operators guide.
7. Include Infographics in Your Outreach Strategy
Want a scalable way to build links? Use infographics in your outreach link building emails.
The goal is to create something visually engaging that websites in your niche would want to share. Design infographics that align with your content and offer genuine value to readers.
🎯SEO Pro Tip #66: Want a scalable link-building strategy? Use infographics for link-building.
At the end of your cornerstone posts, add an infographic that summarizes this post.
Reach out to bloggers in your niche, and pitch them to post the infographic on their blog.
— Nick Zviadadze 🇺🇦 (@Nick_zv_) January 17, 2023
Pitch these infographics to relevant sites.
You can include an embed code with your infographic to make sharing easy. Create a code that includes a backlink, so bloggers can quickly add your infographic to their site with proper attribution.
8. Newsjacking for High-Impact Links
Newsjacking is a digital PR tactic. It’s all about jumping on trending stories to boost visibility and attract links.
Done right, it’s a great way to connect with journalists and drive high-authority backlinks.
Timing is everything here. Most news stories have a 24-72 hour window, so the faster you act, the better.
When a relevant story breaks, create content that adds value. This could mean offering fresh insights, additional data, or a unique perspective that journalists covering the topic will find useful.
Little Reactive PR tip…
When newsjacking something, have a quick look on @AlsoAsked .
It updates super fast and can help you provide extra useful context/info for journos on a topic…. so you add maximum value when outreaching! ✌️🙌🔥
Enjoy. pic.twitter.com/cbRusllkns
— Tom J 🍀 (@WolfofBaldSt) March 11, 2023
Then, reach out to journalists and bloggers already reporting on the story. Point them to your content and explain how it adds depth to the current discussion.
9. Create Original, Link-Worthy Data
This is one of the most effective tactics for building links.
Journalists and bloggers love fresh data.
Creating original research positions you as an authority and makes your content highly linkable.
*Simple Tactic to Get More Backlinks*
CREATE ORIGINAL RESEARCH.
Yes, journalists & bloggers love original research especially in areas where there is none or they need to purchase a $5,000 report from Gartner.
— Deb Mukherjee (@debgotwired) June 4, 2021
Use survey tools like Typeform or Google Forms to gather unique insights from your audience. Make sure your questions tie directly to your industry so the data is relevant and valuable.
Once your data is collected, publish it as a visually appealing report.
After publishing, reach out to bloggers, journalists, and influencers in your industry who would find the data valuable. You can create and distribute a press release through PR Newswire or Newswire to maximize visibility.
10. Use “Ego Bait” Content to Attract Links
Ego bait is a great way to get influencers to share and link to your content.
By creating content that features key people in your client’s industry, you tap into their natural desire for recognition. That often leads to shares and backlinks.
Write posts like “Top 10 [Niche] Experts to Follow” or “Best [Industry] Blogs in 2024.”
Include influencers, brands, or thought leaders related to your client, then let them know they’re featured. This gives them a reason to share your content with their audience.
You can also create expert roundup posts.
Reach out to influencers with a single question related to your client’s industry and collect their answers in one post. When the post goes live, let each person know.
Make sure the content is actually helpful and well-made. An ego bait link building campaign works best when it feels like a real showcase, not just a trick to get links.
Take Your Outreach to the Next Level
Successful link building outreach isn’t easy. But with these strategies, you can get better client results – and save time.
With these tips and resources, your link building outreach process is set for 2025.
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