Older link-building tactics have much less impact now, primarily because once these methods gain popularity, inboxes everywhere become flooded with generic pitches trying to replicate the same success.
This issue has also affected top journalists, who have grown weary of receiving the same impersonal emails about why they should cover a shoe polish brand’s blog post.
Engaging in black hat techniques isn’t advisable, as penalties can severely damage your brand’s revenue and reputation.
I’ve discovered that the most effective way to build links consistently is through original research and digital public relations.
In other words, the best strategy to earn links from high-authority sites is to conduct your own industry research, studies, and surveys, while also meticulously compiling a list of writers and tailoring personalized pitches that demonstrate the value of your content for their audiences.
Is it a lot of work? Absolutely. The content development alone can take 1-2 months to perfect, and the pitching process at least another month or so, even longer if you lack established relationships.
However, if you aim to gain backlinks and brand awareness from respected sites like CNN, USA Today, Time, and Huffington Post, it’s an investment you have to make.
