The Wrong Way to Ask for a Link
Friday, May 1st, 2009There are certain ways you should ask for a link, and then there are certain ways you shouldn’t. I recieved such an email just this morning: and to that person, I’m sure your company means well…it just doesn’t show in this link request.
1. “Dear webmaster.” Never EVER address the person as “webmaster”. It quickly told me that this person a) copy and pasted this email and/or b) did not take the time to read any posts and find out my name.
2. (The first of many) grammar errors. Read, reread, and proofread your link request emails. Since this particular request was through my contact page, I could theoretically overlook one grammar or spelling mistake, but not the 5+ here!
3. Random characters and symbols. ‘Nuff said.
4. A compliment. OK…props for that. However, I know full well that my website is just as esteemed as the 2839 other blogs that received this identical link request.
5. Link and anchor text will appear later. Typically, you would include the link and copy you’d like to appear as anchor text in the initial email. Not knowing what link I’d even be giving this person makes me just plain nervous.