7 Untapped Link Building Techniques

 7 Untapped Link Building Techniques

Thanks for downloading “7 Untapped Link Building Techniques”! My name is Nathan Gotch and I’ll be the one showing you these awesome techniques (that I personally use). 

Let’s jump right in!

1. Authority Transfer Technique

The Authority Transfer Technique isn’t technically a “link building” tactic, but it’s a powerful way to distribute link authority (PageRank) to your most important SEO-driven pages. 

Here’s how it works:

Step #1 - Identify what pages on your site have existing backlinks

The best way to find these pages is to use Ahrefs. 

Just open up Ahrefs → Enter your domain → Start analysis

Then click on “Best by Links” under “Pages” → Sort by “Referring Domains”:

Step #2 - Add internal links on those pages to relevant SEO-driven pages

Now all you need to do now is add internal links. Your internal should target pages that are A) topically relevant and B) you’re trying to rank. I recommend using exact match anchor text with your internal links (it’s safe to do so as long as they aren’t site-wide).

I recommend using this technique every time you publish a new SEO-driven page. It’s one of the best ways to give your page a boost out of the gate (by leveraging existing authority). Your goal should be to push your pages up the SERPs as far as possible before acquiring links. The Authority Transfer Technique is one of the best ways to accomplish that goal (fast).

2. The Switch Up Technique

The Switch Up Technique is my favorite way to build relationships fast. As you may or may not, building relationships is a critical piece to getting more backlinks. Most people fail at link outreach because they’re metaphorically trying to hit a home run on the first date. Just like in sales, you need to take baby steps along the journey. 

You have to build relationships with the websites (and people who are capable of linking to you) BEFORE you ask for something. 

There needs to be an exchange of value. 

“Value” comes in many different forms including money, help, or content. 

Here’s a perfect example of a student of Gotch SEO Academy exchanging value with me (I had no choice but to link to this tool because it solved a REAL problem and added REAL value):

Money works well, but you can acquire links without having to pay people. But that will only be possible through building real relationships. The first step to accomplishing that is to use the Switch Up Technique. Here’s how you do it:

1. Go through your blog content and examine all your external links.

2. See if you’re linking out to general websites like Wikipedia, CNN, or any authority website with many authors. 

3. Go to Google and look for a replacement from a lower authority blog.

4. Change the link

5. Reach out to the person

Use a non-threatening template like this: 

Hey [NAME],

My name is [YOUR NAME] and I’m the [YOUR POSITION] at [YOUR COMPANY]. I was doing some research on [TOPIC] and discovered your guide about [TOPIC]. I really enjoyed it. I never realized that [SOMETHING YOU LEARNED FROM THEIR CONTENT]. Super cool. Anyway, I won’t take up any more of your time. Just wanted to thank you for putting the article together and wanted to let you know that I linked to it from my article: [INSERT NAKED URL] - it’s about [TOPIC]. 

Thanks again!

[NAME]

3. LIS Technique 

What qualities make people want to link to your website? Well, there are many qualities, but there’s one that helps enormously and that’s the concept of “length implies strength” or LIS. 

Ever seen one of those super long sales letters that seem to scroll for decades? Well, that’s not an accident. 

Long sales letters leverage this concept because a longer sales letter persuades you to believe that the product has more to offer (even if that isn’t necessarily true). With that said, you can apply this same principle to your SEO-driven pages as well. One of the easiest actions you can take is to simply make your content longer and more in-depth. 

The truth is no one is going to link to a page with 400 words. People only link to pages that add massive, unique value. For example, if you examine what pages have attracted the most backlinks on GotchSEO.com, you would see that they are all my longest pieces of content. 

The average word count for my top 4 most linked-to content assets is 7,223 words. Pretty insane, right? 

Here’s the main takeaway: if you want more links, write longer content. It’s important to take this out of context though. It needs to be well-thought-out, unique and should add massive amounts of value.

4. Predictive Links Technique

What if you could create pages on your site that attracted backlinks like clockwork? That’s possible when you use the Predictive Links Technique. The best part is that it’s super simple. 

Here’s what you do:

Step #1 - Examine your competitors most linked-to pages

Just open up Ahrefs → Enter a competitor’s domain → Click on “Best by Links”

Right away you’ll see what topics have attracted the most backlinks in your niche.

You can also use this same technique for creating “predictively” viral content on social.

Just go to Buzzsumo → Enter a topic 

Then you’ll have access to ideas that are proven to attract social shares (and links).

You can also do the same thing with YouTube.

Go to a popular channel in your niche → sort their videos by most popular

And BOOM! You see the ideas that niche is most interested in.

Step #2 - Create a page around the same topic, but make it 10x different and better

Whether you’re using this method to attract links, get more social traction, or dominate YouTube, the principle is the same. You are going to create a content asset that’s 10x different and better than your competitors. 

Step #3 - Reach out to the people that linked to your competitors content

I recommend “testing the waters” (a concept I teach in Gotch SEO Academy) before pitching your content when you use this strategy. Send a simple outreach email like this:

Hey [NAME],

My name is [YOUR NAME] and I’m the [YOUR POSITION] at [YOUR COMPANY]. I was doing some research about [TOPIC] and saw that you linked to: [COMPETITOR’S URL] - that makes sense because it’s awesome. I just published a new guide on [TOPIC] it [VALUE PROPOSITION]. 

Would you be interested in seeing it (and maybe give some feedback)? Let me know and I’ll shoot the link over.

Thanks again!

[NAME]

If the prospect complies, then send them this:

Hey [NAME],

That’s great! Here’s a link:

Let me know what you think.

Also: 

If you think it adds value to your readers, would you mind linking to it? I can [INSERT SOME VALUE YOU CAN GIVE THEM]. Thanks again!

I recommend testing many different templates for the second email until you hit a sweet spot. 

Just make sure you're giving something of value when you’re asking for a link.

5. Relationship Accelerator Technique

The Relationship Accelerator Technique serves a dual purpose. First, it can help you build relationships with key “linkerati” (people who are capable and willing to link to you). Second, it can help you score links with very little effort.

There are few different ways to go about this, but my favorite techniques are to host expert roundups, host interviews, or ask for expert contributions to your content.

In short:

You’re giving value upfront because you’re going to link to these expert’s website and in exchange, you’re building a relationship with them and there’s the possibility that they’ll link to the content they’re featured in. This is often referred to as “ego bait” and it’s incredibly effective. 

Even if you don’t score a link, the relationship you’ll build can lead to some in the future.

6. Oprah Technique

I created a cool name for this technique, but it’s super simple. You’re going to get interviewed and land links.

Go to Google → Enter “interview + niche” or “interview with + [YOUR COMPETITOR]”

Add all these prospects to your link building document. Then, just reach out and pitch yourself for the interview. 

Use a simple template like this:

Hey [NAME],

My name is [YOUR NAME] and I’m the [YOUR POSITION] at [YOUR COMPANY]. First, just wanted to thank you for all the amazing interviews you’ve been doing. I’ve listened to your interview with [INSERT ONE YOU LIKED] multiple times because it’s so incredibly valuable. Quick question: are you accepting new interviewees at this time? If you are, I would love to chat because of I [COOL RESULT]. 

Let me know, thanks!

7. Reverse Guest Post Technique

This is by far one of the most untapped link building methods. It is actually surprising how little people use it. In short: you’re going to pitch experts (who have blogs) to create content on your site as a guest author. It’s an easy pitch if you have some traffic and a decent audience because most experts want to promote themselves.

For example, I had Venchito Tampon write a guest post for GotchSEO.com and check out the links that it has picked up:

That’s because Venchito references because it not only adds value, but it benefits his brand as well. It’s a win-win. 

There are a few important points to keep in mind about this strategy:

• Be selective about who can write for your blog (they should have an audience and website)

• Make sure they write on a topic that you haven’t covered yet to avoid keyword cannibalization (multiple pages targeting the keyword phrases)

Thank You (Next Step)!

Those are 7 of my favorite untapped link building techniques. Now just take action and start getting more links! 

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