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Brainstorming: Getting links from news websites, citation development

jeyKay

10:40 pm on Aug 2, 2011 (gmt 0)

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I am going through some of my competitors links, and aside from having alot of natural links acquired through (and deserving so) quality content, I noticed they have alot of mentions in random articles from a number of news websites. Some are simple credits for using content they have/own, and other are mentions like "John doe from [insert competitor link here] states..blablablabla". They don't seem to be the kind of links where, ABC.com for instance, would of contacted my competitor to get them in the article or news page. It seems they are actively seeking out these kind of links.

I have been pondering ways to go about acquiring these, without paying for cookie-cutter press release services. I'm thinking you have to either have really great connections, or your content just has to be THAT good at attracting natural links. Lately it seems the issue of getting links naturally by focusing on content has been debatable, as many fellow SEOs would argue that it takes proactive and link "hunting" efforts to really get worthwhile links. But how? It seems just finding the right person to contact on those sites can be overwhelmingly time consuming, and how to maximize your outreach efforts?

Is there a way to get your content in the forefront of some of these media/news site editors, without being a big brand? What are ways, if any, to actually pursue the right individuals? My guess would be to send well written, properly addressed emails...but I doubt the efficiency of that is going to justify the time it will take.

Anyone else feel like digesting this topic with me? :)

jeyKay

12:00 am on Aug 3, 2011 (gmt 0)

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I just noticed a thread just got posted, which is asking a similar question [webmasterworld.com...]

...but would it be worthwhile to dive into the "how" rather than the "should I or should I not"?

Planet13

6:47 am on Aug 4, 2011 (gmt 0)

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As a former journalist in Aisa for nearly four years, I can tell you one thing:

Journalists appreciate people who are "quotable."

What that means is that journalists like it when you have a quote that is insightful and memorable.

If you want to get mentioned by journalists, then have something to say, and say it well.

tangor

7:35 am on Aug 4, 2011 (gmt 0)

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And learn how to beg.

I know NOBODY likes to hear that, but that's one of the avenues available. Works for me!

Planet13

5:19 pm on Aug 4, 2011 (gmt 0)

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And learn how to beg.

I know NOBODY likes to hear that, but that's one of the avenues available. Works for me!

I thought that EVERYBODY knew and had come to accept that already.

But regarding being able to get press coverage, you will notice that you often see the same people quoted over and over again. Think of all the SEO articles out there. They basically quote Danny Sullivan, Eric Enge, and a small handful of others over and over.

There are, of course, thousands and thousands of SEO people out there, many of them who are quite good, I am sure.

But no one writing an article on a deadline wants to spend the time to find one. Way too time consuming. Just go for the "proven" people who can deliver the goods.

As a journalist, you want a source who can basically "write the article themselves." Journalists are lazy. That is why they are journalists (and I was a journalist for nearly four years, as I mentioned).

I hope this helps.

jeyKay

6:00 pm on Aug 4, 2011 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member

Journalists appreciate people who are "quotable."

What that means is that journalists like it when you have a quote that is insightful and memorable.

If you want to get mentioned by journalists, then have something to say, and say it well.

The type of websites I run don't have much "quotable" content. It is more along the lines of "as a matter of fact" content.

As a ex-journalist, would you think they are open to receiving emails from individuals like me who want to suggest content to help in writing about a particular topic? If so, what do you think would be the best way to approach doing that? My gut instinct would be to try to look at what's been written in the news publications before (oh and it doesn't have to be just "news" sites I'm talking about here) and suggest some of my content to either revisit something written or write something similar.

Planet13

6:34 pm on Aug 4, 2011 (gmt 0)

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All I can tell is from my experience in print about 15 years ago.

I would try and contact the editor of a specific department and just mention that you knew of a few newsworthy things. You can try emailing individual journalists if you like. Just say something like, "If you are going to be covering topic XYZ and need a professional's opinion about it, you can feel free to contact me at..."

If you can feed them a scoop - meaning that you can alert them to something newsworthy even if it is NOT related to your own company - then that will go a long ways toward creating good will.

You have to think of it as being something newsworthy - even if it is flattering news about a competitor of yours. right now, you are just trying to build a relationship.

You could also, if you have some photos that might be relevant, just mention that you would be willing to donate them to them for free for their stock file of photos.

I apologize if this is not particularly applicable to your area, since again my background was in print, and it was for daily newspapers and monthly publications.

I don't think people would be open to "revising" already published content. usually their job is to churn out new content. So if you can help them churn out that new content, I think you will be better off.

Hope this helps.

jeyKay

6:43 pm on Aug 4, 2011 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member

I don't think people would be open to "revising" already published content. usually their job is to churn out new content. So if you can help them churn out that new content, I think you will be better off.

I figured... but yes it helps. Thanks Planet13

CainIV

5:27 am on Aug 5, 2011 (gmt 0)

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If you want to get mentioned by journalists, then have something to say, and say it well.

And there is a quote worth writing down, for any beginner or experienced online marketer. Nice share, Planet13.

tibiritabara

8:57 am on Aug 17, 2011 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member

hmm I think you can use twitter to promote your content... you should make a network of followers connected to newspapers, journalists.. on this way you can reach them directly...of course just only if your content is relevant to journalist... you can wait links from them.

cheers

linkbuildr

9:09 pm on Aug 17, 2011 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member

I follow people on Twitter from certain online news/mags and put in the effort to befriend them. I let them know if they every need anything from my brand for anything, get in touch. It works!