I receive at least a dozen email from people asking for link exchange, some requesting a link from this blog and some from my other websites. Most of these emails end up in trash, there are few reasons for that. I would like to discuss some of them in this post.
Mistakes in sending a link exchange email
Not all the emails end up in trash because they were written not correctly. Some sites are rejected based on their content, some based on their category (these are usually non-IT sites), some based on their usefulness, and yet some because they are not professionally designed. But there are times when I just delete the email based on the way it was written. I will discuss these emails below and give some tips on how to write them correctly.
1. Using Ready Email Templates, a BIG no no!
If you are really interested in the link exchange that you are requesting, for God’s sake write it in your own words. Don’t go and use some email template that describes the basics of link exchange and the “great” advantages that I will get, after exchanging links with you.
Everybody who has enough experience running a website knows the advantages of link exchange, especially the ones who has run successful websites. So you don’t have to explain them the basics. Instead write an email in your own words, describing why you want to exchange links with him/her.
Usually these kind of emails, go directly to my trash. I have setup a “filter” that catches emails that have used certain ready templates.
2. Not related sites
If my website is about Web Design, please do not send me link exchange request for Construction Company! It won’t work. If you want to request for a paid advertisement, it might work, but for a link exchange it won’t. So sending such emails will just waste your time, and bring no result. Therefore before sending the email, get to know the site and its content.
3. Don’t bury the URL
Most of the sites will give you a backlink in a deep layer of their website, nobody will ever see or click on your link. This kind of offer, won’t get you any results. If you want to exchange links, give them offer that is irresistible. Give a placement that is clearly visible, if possible on the homepage under “Friends” or “Partners” section.
4. More stats is always welcome
Providing basic info like Website Name, URL and Description is necessary. But if you want to add more stats about your website, like Alexa Ranks, Google PR, RSS Subscriptions, Technorati Rank..etc it will be an advantage. As for Alexa Rank, increasing graph will be a plus.
5. Be personal, get to know the webmaster
Instead of writing “Dear Webmaster, I liked your website…” try to get to know the person behind the website, and use his/her name in the email “Dear Ades, I have been reading your blog…” sounds better and more personal. It’s always good to address the person by his name, so try to get to know his name before you send email. It will increase your chances of getting a link exchange.
Suggestion for new sites
If your site/blog is new and have low PR, don’t hesitate to contact and request for a link exchange from established sites/blogs. For me, exchanging traffic does matter but sometimes I like to help out new projects that have good potential. Like www.nice4rice.com and www.contestblogger.com, both have got a long-term link placement on my blog, just for their quality content and great idea respectively. So if you think you have a great blog, then start sending your link exchange requests.
Why don’t you post a sample email for link exchange request hey.
Please.
I get these emails about – 5 per day. I delete most of the ones that are written by a software program. Or the ones that didn’t bother to do their home work. But the thing is – anyone who emails me – I know they didn’t just visit the site and click where it says links… so there isn’t much sense in taking them too seriously.
This is something so obvious that everybody should know it already. I agree with Matt and Ades, if you can’t bother writing a personal exchange mail instead of using a fast automated software, perhaps you shouldn’t bother at all.
Added your blog to my rss feed, some kinda interesting posts. :)
Thanks Atomicoz, and welcome to my blog. Hope you will benefit from my posts.
Deelip, I don’t want to write a sample because later everybody will be using that as a template (especially the ones who are sending me emails). Just write it in your own words: website url, description, objective of it, and some some stats. Also point out where my site will appear.
Good Tips, Thank you Ades
great post man but it would be more great if you had given a sample. hey what should i do to get backlink from your site?
Rabin, you can enter my latest contest where you win a chance to get a 1 week free backlink. Or you can review my color picker and get a permanent backlink from this blog.
And of course last option is to purchase a text-link.
Have to agree, #1 is the most important. Especially when it starts with just “Dear” and doesn’t have your name/company there…
nicely said Ades,
There might be some case when owner of very good sites writes bad link exchange mails, the mail directed to you will go to your trash folder. LOL and you might loose one good link.
I will exchange links for this site plz send me the formate or links……..
nice tip for link exchange email
if u want to link exchange with me plz conntact me at hanuseo@hotmail.com
thanks for the great post. I am new to this link exchange stuff. so I thought will start with a template, after reading your post I understood, it’s not a good idea. I am surfing webmaster blogs like yours to get some knowledge about link exchange.
Just one question
Should I include the link first in my blog and then send a link exchange request stating that i have already added his link. Is this a good idea?
WAIE, yes that’s a good idea. Normally if he agrees to exchange links with you, after seeing his link on your site, he would just have to do one thing – that is, include your link in his website. This facilitates the process. Otherwise he might feel to lazy to reply you back to ask you to enter first.
Thanks man. I never thought that you would reply at this pace. I got the reply in a minute. Now I understand your commitment to your blog readers which has made your blog a big success, Thanks again. I will start by adding their links first.
You are welcome, hope to see you around here more often.
Am getting deeper and deeper into your blog, Ades. Gems like this are treasured, thanks a million. Linkbuilding is an art, and you’ve really defined the form for succesfully link acquisition!
I hate when I receive a email offering to exchange links, and I say “No, thanks”, but I begin to receive it again and again every day. That makes me mad.
Hi Ades
Thank you for your great blog.
What software do you recommend to use to keep track that those sites that you are exchanging with are actually doing what they say.
Or do we just hope that that sites actually do what they say.
I agree with Webmaster.
It actually starts to get annoying. I also get emails from my clients whom get these emails – “what do I do with this”. Now I have got to respond to them.
I understand they are doing there job.
hai bos….I am apreciate with your posting, quality of content is king…you are right … thanks for suggestion about link exchange…..
Great tips. Also good to see that you are helping out the newbie blogger and aren’t just sitting up their in your ivory a-list tower :P
This facilitates the process. Otherwise he might feel to lazy to reply you back to ask you to enter first.
Really useful list, thanks very much for spending the time to put it together.
I would appreciate if you could also write a sample email for us.. ;)
So as you can get a new blog Traffic?
Ades you are awesome another great and useful post. I hope some day i can write posts like you…
Thanks for the good tips you put up on here. Am in much need of more tips like this so feel free to mail some to me. Am developing a web directory and it seems like these tips will greatly help in promoting it out there in cyberspace and getting the traffic it deserves.
Been following this blog for time. Great tips, and this article does the same.
We get and send a lot of link exchange emails and some of the the stuff we get is really bad, as if they really do not want the link at all.
Another issue is that, even if you respond positively, there is no response from the party who send the mail…..
- Ray.S
I used to do plenty of reciprocal link exchange when I build my first site in 2005.
I wonder if it is still relevant in today SEO context?
Considering how fast one can get a link by spamming forums, blogs, web 2.0 links and etc.
Having said that, that site is one of the few sites that managed to get very consistent SERP over the years. Maybe I should revisit that idea and have one of my staff do just that.
At least we know one thing. It never hurt to know more people in the same industry.
Wow! awesome tips but i believe hard link exchange is not much worthy nowadays. Try to have contextual links.
Thanks for the tips, everyday is little more difficult to exchange links.
Nice post, Actually I was just searching for how to write link exchange mails and your blog content has immensely helped me. Thanks.
It is becoming more difficult to exchange links and it seems less effective. Very good information on how to handle a proper communication with our partners.