One of the most under-utilized resources available to Web marketers is a lifetime supply of relationships that have, for whatever reason, become less active. Maybe you or the other person moved away from each other. Maybe old co-workers have taken new jobs.
Today it is very common for job hunters to reach out to old friends and co-workers and ask them for help in finding jobs. But you could just as easily contact people you once knew well and worked closely with and rebuild those bonds with a purpose. You have to use your best judgment about how much time you have to engage with old friends and co-workers.
Nontheless, if they have Websites you can seek ways to work with them to build up online relationships between their projects and your projects. Don’t think in terms of “can I get a link from an old friend”. Rather, think in terms of what value you and your old buddies can offer to each other’s visitors.
You may have to “pay it forward” and help some of your less experienced, less influential friends out while renewing old contacts. As the others come on board and see that you’re lending a helping hand where possible without asking for rewards they may be more interested in helping you — with or without some reciprocation.
To help an old friend’s business out you can do any of the following:
- Mention it from time to time on your social media accounts
- Write an uncompensated, unrequested review of his business or Website
- Throw a few promotional widgets on your site(s) for his business
- Ask him to tell your visitors about his business (interview him)
- Write an article about his life achievements and what he is doing now
- Invite him to write a guest post or column on your Website
All of these free promotions help you in at least a small way by providing you with some content for your visitors; but they also show people (especially people you hope to work with) that you’re not just a selfish schmuck who only thinks of what others can do for him.
Generosity is a great asset to have; it helps you build good will and eventually creates relationships that pay off down the road, even if they don’t pay off financially. We are not just social creatures — we are GROUP creatures. We all need the help and support of friends and family, but that means we have to give help and support, too.
Be creative in reaching out to people with whom you were once very close; but be supportive of their interests and needs, too.
Read More about Search Engine Optimization
How Long Does It Take SEO To Work?
Guest Post Link Building: Why It Hurts the Web
Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness for Non-expert Websites
On-Page Optimization SEO Checklist
SEO Metrics Online: Which Measurements Should You Use?
Follow Reflective Dynamics |
Click here to follow Reflective Dynamics on Twitter: @refdynamics. Click here to follow SEO Theory on Twitter: @seo_theory. Reflective Dynamics' RSS Feed (summaries only) |