We are here to talk about creating Link-Worthy Content for Natural Backlinks. First off, I want to clarify that I’m not one of those who blindly chant “content is king.” While search engines and whitehat SEO enthusiasts often stress the importance of content, it’s not the only factor.
However, content is undeniably important and will always play a significant role. But we’re not talking about just any content. A quick five-hundred-word article from Fiverr won’t cut it anymore.
Today, you need exceptional content, and plenty of it. But that’s just the starting point. To rank well, you also need to earn relevant and authoritative links.
Earning those links demands well-written, in-depth, and engaging content paired with an effective outreach strategy.
In this article, I’ll cover the steps in creating link-worthy content for natural backlinks and who to target in your outreach efforts to secure those links. Let’s go into the main discussion.
Ways of Creating Link-Worthy Content for Natural Backlinks
#1. Adopt a contentious perspective on an issue
Anyone who follows me on social media knows I’m not one to shy away from controversy. I’m what some people might call opinionated. As a result, people know exactly where I stand on a topic pretty quickly.
Taking a hard stance on a controversial topic terrifies most people because they’re worried that some will dislike or even hate them for it. If you’re one of those people, here’s a secret: some people will hate you no matter what you do. My belief is if they’re going to hate you anyway, you might as well give them a reason.
People choose to love or hate someone based on whether that person aligns with their own views. If you don’t give them a reason to love you, then only one of two things can happen: either they will hate you, which is OK because they’ll still know who you are and talk about you, or they simply won’t pay any attention to you, which is even worse.
When I say to take a controversial position, I don’t mean something ridiculous and cliché like the “SEO is dead” nonsense that pops up every few years. That horse has already been beaten to death.
And don’t try to be edgy just for the sake of being edgy. Any position you take should truly be your own because you likely will get digitally beaten up by your haters for a while before it starts to benefit you. However, in the long run, and if executed properly, taking a controversial position can produce tremendous exposure, engagement, and links.
The idea here is to take a controversial stance that is so clear and powerful that your haters will link to it to show their audience how wrong they think you are, and your peers and fans will link to it to show how right they think you are.
Creating link-worthy content for natural backlinks often involves bold opinions. Outreach targets should include anyone with a strong opinion, whether in support or opposition to your stance, as well as industry publications and individual bloggers. This approach can significantly enhance your content’s visibility and generate natural backlinks.
#2. Creating a Comprehensive Industry Resource Page
Creating a resource page is one of the most misunderstood tactics in SEO, but to understand why, we need to look at its origin.
Bear with me here, as we take a little detour.
In the late nineties, when I first got involved in this industry, it was common to have a “resources” page, which was basically just a list of related links. This was because search engines were not very efficient back then.
Most of the web was invisible to the average user because search engines simply hadn’t indexed it yet.
To help users, website owners added links to other useful web pages on a dedicated resource page. This enabled visitors to find websites they might not have otherwise discovered. It also fueled the link-based algorithm of a brand new company you’re probably familiar with: Google.
This algorithm was first called BackRub and later renamed to PageRank. Personally, I think the name change was a good call—back rubs from strangers on the internet sound a bit too creepy for my taste.
The predictable outcome was endless pages of “resources” that were really just lists of links, sometimes with short descriptions. These pages were built purely to manipulate organic rankings and offered little to no real value to human visitors.
Many people are still stuck in a similar mindset. This is exactly why creating a truly comprehensive resource can have such a powerful impact today.
Now, when I talk about a comprehensive resource, I don’t just mean a longer list of links than your competitors have. I mean the ultimate compilation of information on a topic. This might include, but not be limited to:
#1. Licensing, governing, and regulatory bodies
#2. Laws pertaining to your industry
#3. Politicians/legislators involved in your industry
#4. Industry associations and trade groups
#5. Employment/staffing firms specializing in your industry
#6. Top industry publications
#7. Industry statistics
#8. Data sources
#9. White papers and case studies
#10. Educational videos
#11. Schools/educational resources
#12. Top podcasts
#13. Top YouTube channels
#14. Industry leaders
#15. Industry events
#16. Top books
#17. Frequently asked questions
#18. Software
#19. Tools
Facebook/LinkedIn groupsIt’s important to reiterate that I’m not just talking about a list of links with short descriptions. That’s outdated thinking. The links are only a small part of what makes a great industry resource page today.
There needs to be a substantial amount of original content on this page, in addition to outside links. While word count alone doesn’t mean much, aiming for 2,500-5,000 words of original, high-quality content is a good starting point. That may seem high, but once you write intro text for each section and original descriptions for each outbound link, you’ll probably hit 1,000-1,500 words with little effort. Once you start answering frequently asked questions, explaining technical terms, and analyzing unique data, you should easily surpass 5,000 words.
This masterpiece of content should be beautifully formatted, broken into categories, and contain a table of contents with jump links, positioned throughout the page for easy navigation.
Since you’ve invested substantial time and effort into creating a comprehensive resource for your industry, most people will simply link to it rather than trying to create their own. Few people have the grit to follow through on that amount of time and effort.
Creating Link-Worthy Content for Natural Backlinks involves more than just great writing. It’s about providing immense value that others can’t help but link to. Your outreach targets should include industry trade associations, industry publications, technical competitors outside your geographical market, and individual bloggers. This strategy not only builds authority but also naturally attracts valuable backlinks.
#3. Share Exclusive Data Along with Your Analysis
Publishing unique data, such as statistics, polls, case studies, and whitepapers that you have created, is a powerful way to create link-worthy content. This is because it’s original content and helps readers gain a more distilled perspective on a topic.
But don’t stop at just presenting the data. You’re an expert in your industry, so your analysis of what that data means is incredibly valuable.
Unique data plays a crucial role in link building because other content creators are constantly looking for data sources to support their claims. If your data can help them do that, they are likely to share it and often link to it.
Think about it like this—if I say in an article that 47% of websites in the construction industry are not mobile responsive, you might ignore that stat. But if I back it up with a link to data on a third-party website that supports my claim, you would probably assume it’s true. (Note: I made up that statistic.)
The key to using this approach effectively is first compiling data that is difficult and time-consuming for others to replicate. The greater the challenge, the more likely your audience will link to your content instead of trying to recreate similar data.
Next, present the data in a way that helps others support their positions. Clarity is crucial, which might include tabular formatting, subheadings, and jump menus. You’ll get serious bonus points if you can make the data interactive in some way.
From there, analyze the data and present your perspective on what it means, how it impacts the industry, and what people should do about it. Ideally, this data should be updated as frequently as necessary. That might mean yearly, or it might mean daily. It all depends on the data and your industry.
Creating Link-Worthy Content for Natural Backlinks involves more than just gathering data; it’s about providing unique insights that others find valuable. Your outreach targets should include industry trade associations, industry publications, news organizations, and individual bloggers. By doing so, you not only establish your authority but also attract valuable backlinks naturally.
#4. Create Useful Case Studies
Case studies are a fantastic way to showcase your expertise by digging much deeper than a typical blog post. They allow you to provide detailed insights into the execution of a project or the use of a product, service, or process under specific conditions.
The audience for case studies is usually more knowledgeable and technically oriented than your regular readers. They’re looking for detailed, actionable information. However, where many people go wrong is treating case studies as nothing more than sterile recollections of details. Don’t make that mistake, because no one will read them, and you’ll have wasted your time and energy.
Instead, make your case studies engaging by telling a story about the data rather than simply presenting it. Explain the circumstances leading up to the case study, then dive into exactly what you did, how and why you did it, and the impact it had on your company or client.
People want to know how your products or services can benefit them, so show them. Explain how you solve their problems clearly, without hype, and in a believable style. Avoid being vague or ambiguous, as this will make your case study seem self-promotional and cause readers to tune out. Share as much detail as possible without giving up your or your client’s competitive advantage.
For example, if you used a client’s SEO campaign as a case study, you wouldn’t reveal specific keyword research or link-building opportunities you identified, but you might include the total number of pages created and links earned. This keeps the information useful without giving away too much.
A comprehensive case study should include:
#1. The client
#2. Their target market and customer avatar
#3. Specific challenges they faced
#4. Strategies and tactics used to overcome those challenges
#5. Results obtained
#6. Return on Investment (ROI), if possible
Creating Link-Worthy Content for Natural Backlinks is about more than just compiling data. It’s about providing unique, valuable insights that others will find useful. By developing detailed and engaging case studies, you position yourself as an authority in your industry, naturally attracting valuable backlinks.
Outreach targets for your case studies should include industry trade associations, industry publications, suppliers, vendors, and individual bloggers. These are the people and organizations most likely to appreciate and share your detailed insights, further enhancing your content’s reach and authority.
#5. Utilize a Unique Layout / Presentation
Creating a unique layout for your content can grab a lot of attention. Most people are used to the standard web page with text scrolling from top to bottom. This layout is popular because it’s logical and user-friendly. However, it’s not the only way to present content. There are many different ways to present content that are both unique and search engine friendly.
Stepping outside of the expected can be a powerful way to earn links. When your layout stands out, people are more likely to link to it because it offers a fresh perspective and a better user experience.
The key is to ensure your layout, while unique, is still user-friendly and search engine-friendly. It doesn’t matter how creative your design is if visitors find it difficult to use or if it doesn’t perform well in search results.
A creative layout can help you in Creating Link-Worthy Content for Natural Backlinks. It can be interactive infographics, parallax scrolling, or an innovative use of multimedia elements. The goal is to provide a compelling and engaging experience that stands out from the standard text-heavy pages.
Remember, the layout should enhance the content, making it easier to digest and more engaging. If done right, this approach can significantly boost your chances of earning natural backlinks, as people will want to share your unique and well-presented content.
Who To Target In Your Outreach Efforts To Secure Natural BackLinks?
#1. Identifying relevant websites
#2. Locating the appropriate contacts on these websites
The first step in any link building campaign is identifying potential outreach targets, specifically website owners, SEO managers, marketing managers, and link building specialists. These professionals are the key contacts for your efforts, and LinkedIn is a valuable resource for finding them within your target organizations.
Ensure that these targets align with your niche and possess a credible online presence to guarantee that the links you obtain will enhance your site’s value and authority. When you meticulously select your outreach targets, you establish a strong foundation for a successful link building strategy.
The ideal websites for link building are those that publish content related to your niche but are not direct competitors. Competitors vying for the same keywords are unlikely to provide backlinks.
Similarly, targeting completely unrelated businesses is usually unproductive, as there is little reason for them to link to your site.
Instead, focus on websites that are indirectly related. For example, a golf website could reach out to health and fitness blogs, lifestyle magazines, or travel publications. These sites have a natural connection to your content and audience.
When selecting target sites, look for signs that they are open to link building, such as recently published guest posts or links to your competitors. This indicates a higher likelihood of success in your outreach efforts.
What Are The Strategies To Find Good Outreach Targets?
#1. Competitor Research
Competitor backlinks research involves analyzing your competitor’s web pages to identify which sites are linking to them. This is a smart tactic because if a site is linking to your competitor, there’s a good chance they might link to you too.
To discover these linking websites, use a tool like Ahrefs. Simply input your competitor’s URL and navigate to the “Backlinks” section. Here, you’ll find a comprehensive list of all the backlinks a site has. For the most recent link acquisitions, filter the list to show only links from the last 30 days.
When you leverage competitor backlinks research, you can effectively enhance your strategy for creating link-worthy content for natural backlinks. This not only helps you understand what type of content attracts links but also allows you to reach out to those sites with your superior content.
#2. View Websites in a Niche
Finding outreach targets in your niche is a breeze when you know where to look. One way is to manually search on Google and compile a list of websites that publish relevant content. However, there’s a more efficient method: using the competing domains feature on an SEO tool like Ahrefs.
This feature identifies websites that rank for similar keywords to your target site, making it easier to pinpoint potential outreach targets.
How It Works in Practice
Let’s say you run a golf website and have created a fantastic piece of content about the best golf workouts. You want to pitch this to health and fitness sites. Simply use Ahrefs to search for health and fitness sites and then click on “competing domains.”
This will show you all the main domains that share keywords with your target site. When you leverage this feature, you can identify potential sites for your outreach efforts, making it easier to create link-worthy content for natural backlinks.
This strategic approach not only saves time but also ensures you’re reaching out to the right audience, boosting your chances of earning valuable backlinks.
Conclusion
Creating link-worthy content for natural backlinks is essential for improving your site’s visibility and authority. When you adopt a contentious perspective on issues, develop comprehensive industry resource pages, share exclusive data with in-depth analysis, craft detailed case studies, and utilize unique layouts and presentations, you can create content that others naturally want to link to.
To secure these valuable links, target relevant websites, find the right contacts, and conduct competitor research to identify ideal outreach targets.
This strategic approach ensures your content is not only engaging but also highly shareable, boosting your SEO efforts effectively.
