Want more high-quality backlinks? Link building outreach is your answer.
This guide shows you exactly how to get quality backlinks through strategic outreach.
What is Link Building Outreach?
Link building outreach is simple: You contact other websites and ask them to link to your content.
Instead of waiting for backlinks to happen naturally (which takes forever), you actively reach out to relevant sites in your niche.
When Should You Start Outreach?
Start outreach after you have:
- Published high-quality content worth linking to
- At least 5-10 solid blog posts or resources
- A professional-looking website
Don’t start outreach with thin content. You need something valuable to offer.
5-Step Outreach Process
Step 1: Find Link Prospects
Look for websites that:
- Are in your niche
- Have decent traffic and authority
- Already link to similar content
Quick method: Google your competitors and see where they get backlinks from.
Step 2: Get Contact Info
Find the right person to contact:
- Check the “About” or “Contact” page
- Use tools like Hunter.io to find email addresses
- Look for editors or content managers
Step 3: Write Your Outreach Email
Keep it short and personal:
- Subject line: Mention their site or recent post
- Intro: Show you know their content
- Pitch: Explain how your content helps their readers
- Ask: Simple request for a link
Step 4: Follow Up
Most people won’t reply to your first email. Send 2-3 follow-ups:
- Wait 1 week between emails
- Keep follow-ups shorter
- Add new value each time
Step 5: Build Relationships
Don’t just ask for links. Build real relationships:
- Share their content on social media
- Comment on their posts
- Offer to help with their projects
7 Proven Outreach Methods
1. Guest Posting
Write articles for other blogs in exchange for a backlink.
2. Broken Link Building
Find broken links on websites and suggest your content as a replacement.
3. Resource Page Links
Get added to “best tools” or “helpful resources” pages.
4. Skyscraper Technique
Find popular content, create something better, then reach out to sites linking to the original.
5. Press Releases
Share newsworthy updates about your business with journalists and bloggers.
6. Link Exchanges
Trade links with websites of similar authority (do this sparingly).
7. Scholarship Campaigns
Offer scholarships to students and get links from university websites.
5 Tips for Better Outreach Success
1. Personalize Every Email
Generic emails get ignored. Mention something specific about their site or recent content.
2. Lead with Value
Don’t just ask for links. Explain how your content helps their audience.
3. Use Email Tracking
Track opens and clicks to see what works. Tools like Mailtrack help with this.
4. Be Different
High-authority sites get tons of link requests. Stand out with creative approaches.
5. Show Your Expertise
Include examples of your best work or impressive results you’ve achieved.
Common Outreach Mistakes to Avoid
- Sending generic, templated emails
- Asking for links from irrelevant sites
- Not following up
- Being pushy or aggressive
- Offering low-quality content
Sample Outreach Email Template
Subject: Quick question about your [topic] post
Hi [Name],
I just read your article about [specific topic] and loved your point about [specific detail].
I noticed you mentioned [relevant point from their article]. I actually just published a comprehensive guide on [your topic] that covers [specific value you provide].
Would it be worth adding to your post? I think your readers would find the [specific benefit] section particularly useful.
Here’s the link: [your URL]
Either way, keep up the great work on [their site name]!
Best,
[Your name]
Tools That Help with Outreach
For finding prospects:
- Ahrefs
- SEMrush
- Moz Link Explorer
For finding emails:
- Hunter.io
- Voila Norbert
- FindThatLead
For managing outreach:
- BuzzStream
- Pitchbox
- Google Sheets (free option)
Bottom Line
Link building outreach works when you:
- Target the right websites
- Offer genuine value
- Build real relationships
- Stay persistent but not pushy
The key is quality over quantity. It’s better to send 10 personalized emails than 100 generic ones.
Ready to start building high-quality backlinks? Try LinkScope for a marketplace of verified link building opportunities.
Need help with your link building campaign? LinkScope connects you with quality websites looking for valuable content to link to.
