Good post, Andy. The Lyndon linkbait episode is also causing me to think deeply about where the line should be drawn in the battle for link building.
I was also an avid Sunday Sport reader in it's heyday. In fact, my flat mates and I used to spend Sunday afternoon dreaming up the most bizarre possible stories to send into the letter's page. But the sport was clearly fake. There was never the possibility that the stories contained within could be mistaken for fact. (My favourite - "I married a Dalek!")
The same can't be said of Lyndon's piece, which has become syndicated around the world. The seeming plausibility of the story moves it from obvious satire or clearly flagged newspaper joke into a very ethically grey area where the reader is unaware of the fiction. I am sure if The Sunday Sport started running stories that could plausibly be true, they wouldn't have survived as long as they did.
Kimota
· 1 year ago
Good post, Andy. The Lyndon linkbait episode is also causing me to think deeply about where the line should be drawn in the battle for link building.
I was also an avid Sunday Sport reader in it's heyday. In fact, my flat mates and I used to spend Sunday afternoon dreaming up the most bizarre possible stories to send into the letter's page. But the sport was clearly fake. There was never the possibility that the stories contained within could be mistaken for fact. (My favourite - "I married a Dalek!")
The same can't be said of Lyndon's piece, which has become syndicated around the world. The seeming plausibility of the story moves it from obvious satire or clearly flagged newspaper joke into a very ethically grey area where the reader is unaware of the fiction. I am sure if The Sunday Sport started running stories that could plausibly be true, they wouldn't have survived as long as they did.
Aaron Weiche
· 1 year ago
Myself, I can't wrap myself around "good" link baiting. If it is quality content, education or a tool ... it is just quality that attracts due attention. It doesn't seem right to me to call something of vaule ... bait.
The bait part of the term just leads me to think that more effort (or lack or true effort) has been put into a headline, a twist, the buzz or gawk-ability. I hope this makes sense. :)
Aaron Weiche
· 1 year ago
Myself, I can't wrap myself around "good" link baiting. If it is quality content, education or a tool ... it is just quality that attracts due attention. It doesn't seem right to me to call something of vaule ... bait.
The bait part of the term just leads me to think that more effort (or lack or true effort) has been put into a headline, a twist, the buzz or gawk-ability. I hope this makes sense. :)
Kimota
· 1 year ago
I understand your point - that the term 'linkbait' implies a gimmick rather than quality. But it has become a commonly used term to describe any piece that has the potential to attract a lot of the right attention. A highly informative piece at seoMoz can be just as successful at attracting links that the latest Digg fun over some stupid bit of video, but they both count as linkbait.
Kimota
· 1 year ago
I understand your point - that the term 'linkbait' implies a gimmick rather than quality. But it has become a commonly used term to describe any piece that has the potential to attract a lot of the right attention. A highly informative piece at seoMoz can be just as successful at attracting links that the latest Digg fun over some stupid bit of video, but they both count as linkbait.
igorthetroll
· 1 year ago
Andy I agree with you to a certain respect. While positive Link Baiting is not even link baiting but providing a service of useful information.
Entertainment Link Baiting is entertainment, 4 meeters man seen walking on Times Square, with a picture of the giant, is fun to read about!
But, I disagree telling a lie story that seems so real that people believe! We are not April Fools society!
President Bush got shot by a Terrorist is not something I want to read as a Link Bait, unless it was the real story!
So, no lying to make a Sale.
igorthetroll
· 1 year ago
Andy I agree with you to a certain respect. While positive Link Baiting is not even link baiting but providing a service of useful information.
Entertainment Link Baiting is entertainment, 4 meeters man seen walking on Times Square, with a picture of the giant, is fun to read about!
But, I disagree telling a lie story that seems so real that people believe! We are not April Fools society!
President Bush got shot by a Terrorist is not something I want to read as a Link Bait, unless it was the real story!
So, no lying to make a Sale.
Jaan Kanellis
· 1 year ago
I agree Igor, lying is lying, flat out. How does that constitute a successful link bating campaign? Sure you got links, but the potential for harm is too great. What about the amount of bad press you could potentially get back for such a scheme?
No way this type of thing would work with 99% of my clients. Why would any of them want to host news articles that simply lies?
Jaan Kanellis
· 1 year ago
I agree Igor, lying is lying, flat out. How does that constitute a successful link bating campaign? Sure you got links, but the potential for harm is too great. What about the amount of bad press you could potentially get back for such a scheme?
No way this type of thing would work with 99% of my clients. Why would any of them want to host news articles that simply lies?
Chris Goward
· 1 year ago
Lyndon removed the posting where he explains how he originated the story, but you can read a copy here:
AndyBeard
· 1 year ago
If Lyndon decided to take it down, I don't think it is very polite to have a full copy published elsewhere without express permission. I am sure those who are desperate for a lesson in good/bad linkbait can track it down.
Chris Goward
· 1 year ago
Lyndon removed the posting where he explains how he originated the story, but you can read a copy here:
AndyBeard
· 1 year ago
If Lyndon decided to take it down, I don't think it is very polite to have a full copy published elsewhere without express permission. I am sure those who are desperate for a lesson in good/bad linkbait can track it down.
jimmychen
· 1 year ago
its all about ideas. people on the web are mostly saturated with exaggerated content, they usually turn down on these link baiting. most of the time, i only use facts and not having to exaggerate on my resource box texts. but anyway, its their own style, as long as i don't care, why should you too. just my opinion anyway. :) good luck.
jimmychen
· 1 year ago
its all about ideas. people on the web are mostly saturated with exaggerated content, they usually turn down on these link baiting. most of the time, i only use facts and not having to exaggerate on my resource box texts. but anyway, its their own style, as long as i don't care, why should you too. just my opinion anyway. :) good luck.
spostareduro
· 1 year ago
i back you 100% on this andy. blogged and stumbled.
btw, thanks for the links to dead rooster and kevin. i had not heard of dead rooster before. will check it out. it's nice to see kevin blogging out of usual character as well. (although i love his humor!) ;-)
spostareduro
· 1 year ago
i back you 100% on this andy. blogged and stumbled.
btw, thanks for the links to dead rooster and kevin. i had not heard of dead rooster before. will check it out. it's nice to see kevin blogging out of usual character as well. (although i love his humor!) ;-)
bonoriau
· 1 year ago
Good post Andy. Some of the leader know how to make use of newbies who only always be a follower.
bonoriau
· 1 year ago
Good post Andy. Some of the leader know how to make use of newbies who only always be a follower.
Noobpreneur
· 1 year ago
Andy,
Great insight on link bait.
IMO, the 'bad' link bait you mention will not last for long. The good one, however, prevail and will drive constant traffic.
Moreover, fabricating a story is not ethical blogging!
Noobpreneur
· 1 year ago
Andy,
Great insight on link bait.
IMO, the 'bad' link bait you mention will not last for long. The good one, however, prevail and will drive constant traffic.
Moreover, fabricating a story is not ethical blogging!
Astrid Lee, Reiki Master Teach
· 1 year ago
Hi Andy,
Well, I'm a novice in all this blogging ~ in contrast to you, who seems to be quite the expert, so I have a question for you.
I run a blog with an initiative of We Are One World Healing, which is an initiative whereby anyone can join our monthly group meditation sessions to help heal the world. We connect in spirit and send out unconditional love/healing Reiki energy to all of humanity. 1 hr each full moon.
We are growing nicely from session to session, but as my target is 2 million more participants, I would love some advice to you on how to create that linkbait that you're talking about. I feel that my entire blog is a link-bait kind of site, and traffic is quite ok, but we're not anywhere near the 2 million yet... What to do about it? Am I doing something something wrong here? Or should I simply have more patience? Any suggestions, ideas, tips, hints welcome...
Thank you so much in advance! Namaste, A
AndyBeard
· 1 year ago
One thing I noticed is you need to make it easy to subscribe to your newsletter, and probably stop using feedburner for you email subscriptions to the blog. This is a little "Do as I say, not as I do", as I still have feedburner, but a Good autoresponder such as Aweber will be a much more powerful tool.
As for linkbait, think of what you can do to leverage interviews with famous people with similar beliefs.
You might need to think of the best forms of social media for promotion, whether it be reating a group on Facebook, or maybe a concerted effort to encourage use of Delicious among your readers.
You need to find your audience and approach them, not approach the masses and hoope that they will accept you.
I would also try to leverage various social calendars such as Upcoming.
Astrid Lee, Reiki Master Teach
· 1 year ago
Hi Andy,
Well, I'm a novice in all this blogging ~ in contrast to you, who seems to be quite the expert, so I have a question for you.
I run a blog with an initiative of We Are One World Healing, which is an initiative whereby anyone can join our monthly group meditation sessions to help heal the world. We connect in spirit and send out unconditional love/healing Reiki energy to all of humanity. 1 hr each full moon.
We are growing nicely from session to session, but as my target is 2 million more participants, I would love some advice to you on how to create that linkbait that you're talking about. I feel that my entire blog is a link-bait kind of site, and traffic is quite ok, but we're not anywhere near the 2 million yet... What to do about it? Am I doing something something wrong here? Or should I simply have more patience? Any suggestions, ideas, tips, hints welcome...
Thank you so much in advance! Namaste, A
AndyBeard
· 1 year ago
One thing I noticed is you need to make it easy to subscribe to your newsletter, and probably stop using feedburner for you email subscriptions to the blog. This is a little "Do as I say, not as I do", as I still have feedburner, but a Good autoresponder such as Aweber will be a much more powerful tool.
As for linkbait, think of what you can do to leverage interviews with famous people with similar beliefs.
You might need to think of the best forms of social media for promotion, whether it be reating a group on Facebook, or maybe a concerted effort to encourage use of Delicious among your readers.
You need to find your audience and approach them, not approach the masses and hoope that they will accept you.
I would also try to leverage various social calendars such as Upcoming.
Astrid Lee, Reiki Master Teach
· 1 year ago
Wow, Andy,
That is more than I could hope for. Great ideas!!!
I actually already have aWeber for people who join the initiative, but am not doing my daily RSS with them. So, point taken.
I like how you are putting it: the concept of 'finding the audiences and approach them' vs. 'being found'. Right now I'm doing both.
I have a Facebook group already, and am posting at like-minded groups there. However, as per your suggestion/comment, my Facebook, Blogcatalog and Delicious'- efforts are patchy and not as effective as could be, probably. Given my limited time: any suggestion which would be best for this kind of audience?
Last but not least, I was unaware of ANY social calendars, and will explore that right away. Excellent idea!
Again, thanks so much for your suggestions, Andy. I'll report back with you how things are going in a little while!
Astrid Lee, Reiki Master Teach
· 1 year ago
Wow, Andy,
That is more than I could hope for. Great ideas!!!
I actually already have aWeber for people who join the initiative, but am not doing my daily RSS with them. So, point taken.
I like how you are putting it: the concept of 'finding the audiences and approach them' vs. 'being found'. Right now I'm doing both.
I have a Facebook group already, and am posting at like-minded groups there. However, as per your suggestion/comment, my Facebook, Blogcatalog and Delicious'- efforts are patchy and not as effective as could be, probably. Given my limited time: any suggestion which would be best for this kind of audience?
Last but not least, I was unaware of ANY social calendars, and will explore that right away. Excellent idea!
Again, thanks so much for your suggestions, Andy. I'll report back with you how things are going in a little while!
Calvin
· 1 year ago
Nice post there. I am not sure how or where I would catagorize myself there.
But this post sure makes me think a lot more about the small things I do without much attention. Thanks!
Calvin
· 1 year ago
Nice post there. I am not sure how or where I would catagorize myself there.
But this post sure makes me think a lot more about the small things I do without much attention. Thanks!
All Comments
I was also an avid Sunday Sport reader in it's heyday. In fact, my flat mates and I used to spend Sunday afternoon dreaming up the most bizarre possible stories to send into the letter's page. But the sport was clearly fake. There was never the possibility that the stories contained within could be mistaken for fact. (My favourite - "I married a Dalek!")
The same can't be said of Lyndon's piece, which has become syndicated around the world. The seeming plausibility of the story moves it from obvious satire or clearly flagged newspaper joke into a very ethically grey area where the reader is unaware of the fiction. I am sure if The Sunday Sport started running stories that could plausibly be true, they wouldn't have survived as long as they did.
I was also an avid Sunday Sport reader in it's heyday. In fact, my flat mates and I used to spend Sunday afternoon dreaming up the most bizarre possible stories to send into the letter's page. But the sport was clearly fake. There was never the possibility that the stories contained within could be mistaken for fact. (My favourite - "I married a Dalek!")
The same can't be said of Lyndon's piece, which has become syndicated around the world. The seeming plausibility of the story moves it from obvious satire or clearly flagged newspaper joke into a very ethically grey area where the reader is unaware of the fiction. I am sure if The Sunday Sport started running stories that could plausibly be true, they wouldn't have survived as long as they did.
The bait part of the term just leads me to think that more effort (or lack or true effort) has been put into a headline, a twist, the buzz or gawk-ability. I hope this makes sense. :)
The bait part of the term just leads me to think that more effort (or lack or true effort) has been put into a headline, a twist, the buzz or gawk-ability. I hope this makes sense. :)
Entertainment Link Baiting is entertainment, 4 meeters man seen walking on Times Square, with a picture of the giant, is fun to read about!
But, I disagree telling a lie story that seems so real that people believe! We are not April Fools society!
President Bush got shot by a Terrorist is not something I want to read as a Link Bait, unless it was the real story!
So, no lying to make a Sale.
Entertainment Link Baiting is entertainment, 4 meeters man seen walking on Times Square, with a picture of the giant, is fun to read about!
But, I disagree telling a lie story that seems so real that people believe! We are not April Fools society!
President Bush got shot by a Terrorist is not something I want to read as a Link Bait, unless it was the real story!
So, no lying to make a Sale.
No way this type of thing would work with 99% of my clients. Why would any of them want to host news articles that simply lies?
No way this type of thing would work with 99% of my clients. Why would any of them want to host news articles that simply lies?
I am sure those who are desperate for a lesson in good/bad linkbait can track it down.
I am sure those who are desperate for a lesson in good/bad linkbait can track it down.
btw, thanks for the links to dead rooster and kevin. i had not heard of dead rooster before. will check it out. it's nice to see kevin blogging out of usual character as well. (although i love his humor!) ;-)
btw, thanks for the links to dead rooster and kevin. i had not heard of dead rooster before. will check it out. it's nice to see kevin blogging out of usual character as well. (although i love his humor!) ;-)
Great insight on link bait.
IMO, the 'bad' link bait you mention will not last for long. The good one, however, prevail and will drive constant traffic.
Moreover, fabricating a story is not ethical blogging!
Great insight on link bait.
IMO, the 'bad' link bait you mention will not last for long. The good one, however, prevail and will drive constant traffic.
Moreover, fabricating a story is not ethical blogging!
Well, I'm a novice in all this blogging ~ in contrast to you, who seems to be quite the expert, so I have a question for you.
I run a blog with an initiative of We Are One World Healing, which is an initiative whereby anyone can join our monthly group meditation sessions to help heal the world. We connect in spirit and send out unconditional love/healing Reiki energy to all of humanity. 1 hr each full moon.
We are growing nicely from session to session, but as my target is 2 million more participants, I would love some advice to you on how to create that linkbait that you're talking about. I feel that my entire blog is a link-bait kind of site, and traffic is quite ok, but we're not anywhere near the 2 million yet...
What to do about it?
Am I doing something something wrong here?
Or should I simply have more patience?
Any suggestions, ideas, tips, hints welcome...
Thank you so much in advance!
Namaste, A
As for linkbait, think of what you can do to leverage interviews with famous people with similar beliefs.
You might need to think of the best forms of social media for promotion, whether it be reating a group on Facebook, or maybe a concerted effort to encourage use of Delicious among your readers.
You need to find your audience and approach them, not approach the masses and hoope that they will accept you.
I would also try to leverage various social calendars such as Upcoming.
Well, I'm a novice in all this blogging ~ in contrast to you, who seems to be quite the expert, so I have a question for you.
I run a blog with an initiative of We Are One World Healing, which is an initiative whereby anyone can join our monthly group meditation sessions to help heal the world. We connect in spirit and send out unconditional love/healing Reiki energy to all of humanity. 1 hr each full moon.
We are growing nicely from session to session, but as my target is 2 million more participants, I would love some advice to you on how to create that linkbait that you're talking about. I feel that my entire blog is a link-bait kind of site, and traffic is quite ok, but we're not anywhere near the 2 million yet...
What to do about it?
Am I doing something something wrong here?
Or should I simply have more patience?
Any suggestions, ideas, tips, hints welcome...
Thank you so much in advance!
Namaste, A
As for linkbait, think of what you can do to leverage interviews with famous people with similar beliefs.
You might need to think of the best forms of social media for promotion, whether it be reating a group on Facebook, or maybe a concerted effort to encourage use of Delicious among your readers.
You need to find your audience and approach them, not approach the masses and hoope that they will accept you.
I would also try to leverage various social calendars such as Upcoming.
That is more than I could hope for. Great ideas!!!
I actually already have aWeber for people who join the initiative, but am not doing my daily RSS with them. So, point taken.
I like how you are putting it: the concept of 'finding the audiences and approach them' vs. 'being found'. Right now I'm doing both.
I have a Facebook group already, and am posting at like-minded groups there. However, as per your suggestion/comment, my Facebook, Blogcatalog and Delicious'- efforts are patchy and not as effective as could be, probably. Given my limited time: any suggestion which would be best for this kind of audience?
Last but not least, I was unaware of ANY social calendars, and will explore that right away. Excellent idea!
Again, thanks so much for your suggestions, Andy. I'll report back with you how things are going in a little while!
That is more than I could hope for. Great ideas!!!
I actually already have aWeber for people who join the initiative, but am not doing my daily RSS with them. So, point taken.
I like how you are putting it: the concept of 'finding the audiences and approach them' vs. 'being found'. Right now I'm doing both.
I have a Facebook group already, and am posting at like-minded groups there. However, as per your suggestion/comment, my Facebook, Blogcatalog and Delicious'- efforts are patchy and not as effective as could be, probably. Given my limited time: any suggestion which would be best for this kind of audience?
Last but not least, I was unaware of ANY social calendars, and will explore that right away. Excellent idea!
Again, thanks so much for your suggestions, Andy. I'll report back with you how things are going in a little while!
But this post sure makes me think a lot more about the small things I do without much attention. Thanks!
But this post sure makes me think a lot more about the small things I do without much attention. Thanks!