Thread by @GrindstoneSEO

Outreach...let's talk about it.

I know, I know, I'm the guy who wrote this terrible blog post slandering all you guest bloggers back in 2012.

grindstoneseo.com/why-guest-blog…

Guess I'm a little slow on the uptake..shouldn't be news by now.

So yeah, the guy (me) who loves to break algorithms the old fashioned way (dirty links doin' dirty deeds) decided he needed to add outreach links into his repertoire.

So what? Who cares?

Me...and you should too.

Why?

Because most of you are facking trash at this game...

How do I know?

Because I did what any intelligent person would do and built outreach honeypots.

No quicker way to get good at something than to crowdsource your learning.

So yeah, I've been getting inundated with outreach proposals for the last few months.

Most of them are literally shite.

Let's learn how to not do garbage outreach.

You're not influencing people and making friends doing something poorly.

1) You know how Outreach Authority or w/e course you bought/torrented/imwarrior'd tells you to change the template and not to use it as is?

That's good advice. Stop being so fucking lazy.

Insta delete once people have seen it a few times.

1a) If those templates were any good, they wouldn't share them with you.

How do I know?

Because I split test open rates on headlines and response rates on copy constantly.

And I'll never show you my winners. Duh.

1b) More on those templates.

The concept that people with valuable sites are just sitting around waiting for an email that adds something to their to-do list and will appreciate you pointing it out is Sofa King Stooped.

I mean seriously, wtf?

Every person reading this thread has more shit to accomplish every day than they'll get done.

You really think people need something else to add to their plate?

Nothing like pitching an unpaid to-do list add-on.

'Oh really, I have a 404 link on my site? Oh noez thank dog someone just emailed about it and suggested a fine replacement link, let me stop making money and fix that real quick, I am so thankful for this'

- no one, fucking ever

'oh shucks, this entire time I thought I was already linking to the best content out there re 24 Ways To Fluff Your Dog Snuggee but now I see I wasn't and I must fix that dire situation ASAP!

- again, not one single freaking human bean

Right, that clear?

Stop asking people for links in return for THEM doing more work for YOUR BENEFIT.

If you want something from someone, frame it so it benefits them.

#derp

2) Success

It all starts with inboxing.

Let's assume you're not idiots and have figured how to get delivered the majority of the time.

I won't get into that. Learn the google if you're struggling here.

So you're in the inbox, good job bruh.

Now you need what to have any chance at getting the link?

This is the do or die moment for your chances.

You need to get opened.

No open, no link. 100% of the time.

How do you get opened?

You write a killer fucking subject line.

You write a subject line so good the person deleting all their unwanted email has no choice but to click on it.

How?

This is a thread about link outreach, not a copywriting course.

Safe to say though, if you can't write killer headlines, you can't write killer subject lines.

Learn how to write copy.

Or outsource it to someone who can. *cough*

Ok, you're inboxed.

You're opened.

Time to seal the deal.

Member up there where I said I wouldn't share my templates?

I meant that. Sorreh not sorry.

Here's how to not bugger it all up though.

Don't waste their time.

If you don't know why by now, just log out.

The internet probably isn't for you.

Get to the point.

Make it clear what you want.

Make it clear what you're willing to do for THEM.

Make it easy on them.

Walk through your process and identify resistance points.

Eliminate these pain points.

Go through it again. Improve it.

Don't just write an entertaining subject line.

A great subject line and boring-ass 'seen it 100x' templates get 0 results.

I tested this.

Make your content interesting.

But keep it short and sweet.

Like this thread.

Only better.

Learn what pattern interrupts are.

Learn when to use them.

Learn when NOT to use them.

Make yourself memorable, in a good way.

Make it hard for people NOT to email you back.

I have received SO many variations of this:

"I usually delete these emails but I just had to reply and see about _____________________"

Curiosity killed the cat but it might just get you some kick-ass links.

So that's my thread on outreach.

Hope it helps some of you write better emails and get more/better links.

If not, hope you enjoyed reading it.

I enjoyed writing it.

Prob should proofread all this but I'm 1 timing it.

I actually feel stupid about bagging on guest posting years ago because two of my favorite things are writing persuasive copy and building scalable systems.

Link outreach is literally the perfect storm for that skill combo.

Who knew?

Not this idiot, apparently.

Anyhew.... if you're reading this and you're an agency that needs more links, would love to discuss with you.

Pretty sure our pricing and results will curb stomp your current solution. Just sayin...