Proactive Link Building Tactics discusses effective post-Penguin link building strategies. Social media and content marketing are emphasized as two primary tactics. Content like infographics, guest posts, and videos can be used to build links through submission to relevant sites and promotion on social networks. While older strategies like paid links still sometimes work, they should be used cautiously due to algorithm penalties. The presentation encourages marketers to take proactive steps to avoid issues from updates like Penguin.

1. Proactive Link Building Tactics
What Works & What Doesn’t in a Post-Penguin World
Image Source: http://activeden.net/forums/thread/the-secret-behind-the-featured-files/36818?page=5
Presented by: David Wallace
CEO/Founder - SearchRank
@DavidWallace

2. Why the Penguins?
What the Hell Do “Penguins” Have To Do With Link Building?
Google Penguin is a code name for a Google algorithm update that was first
announced on April 24, 2012. The update is aimed at decreasing search engine
rankings of websites that violate Google’s Webmaster Guidelines by using black-hat
SEO techniques, such as keyword stuffing, cloaking, participating in link schemes,
deliberate creation of duplicate content, and others.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Penguin
or in Layman’s Terms…
@DavidWallace

3. It’s Another Google Assault on SEOs!
Image Source: http://perbear42.deviantart.com/art/Penguin-army-195784808
@DavidWallace

4. What No Longer Works
Pre-Penguin Link Building
• Paid Links
• Sponsored Blog Reviews
• Article Marketing
• Directories
• Comments (did they ever work at all)
Disclaimer:
Paid Links & Sponsored Blog Reviews
may still be somewhat effective but
PROCEED WITH CAUTION!
@DavidWallace

5. What Does Work?
Post-Penguin Link Building
• Social Media
• Content Marketing
Is That All? Are We Really Down To Just 2 Tactics?
Not Really! There are still a variety of ways to “earn” links.
In fact “101 Ways To Link Build in 2012” is a great resource.
http://www.searchenginejournal.com/101-ways-to-link-build-in-2012/46988/
@DavidWallace

6. Links With Social Media
Using Social Media Profiles To Build Links
@DavidWallace

7. Links With Social Media

8. Links With Social Media
Using Social Media Profiles To Build Links
• Set up as many social media profiles as you can
• Fill in all information (i.e. real name, URL, location, bio, etc.)
• Upload an avatar
• Post/publish content where applicable
• Get profile URLs indexed
“The Ultimate Social Media Profile Chart”
http://www.searchrank.com/social-media-profile-chart
http://knowem.com
@DavidWallace

11. Content Marketing - Types
• Resourceful Posts (Top 10s, How-Tos, etc.)
• Guest Posts
• Memes (Ego Bait)
• White Papers
• Video
• Infographics !!!
Image Source: Warner Brothers
@DavidWallace

12. Infographic Marketing 101
• Share on Facebook; consider utilizing Facebook Ads or Promote option under post.
• Share on Twitter; consider utilizing Sponsored Tweets.
• Submit good content to StumbleUpon. Use Paid Discovery to draw more attention.
• Post to your Pinterest, Tumblr & visualize.us accounts. Link back to original.
• Send an optimized press release via online PR sites such as MarketWire & PRWeb.
• Utilize dozens of bookmarking sites including Infographic archives (next slide).
• Reach out to “like-minded” bloggers to see if they will re-post your infographic.
• Utilize “guest blogger” opportunities to re-post your infographics on prominent sites.
• Having a large network of followers (influential status) will help promotion efforts.
• If you lack influence, it might be wise to hire someone who does to share content.
• Include an “Embed This Code!” (http://infographicjournal.com/embed-code-generator/)
@DavidWallace

13. Infographic Archives
Infographics Archives/Directories
• Infographic Journal – http://infographicjournal.com/
• visua.ly - http://visual.ly/ (self-serving)
• Cool Infographics - http://www.coolinfographics.com/
• InfographicsArchive - http://www.infographicsarchive.com/
• Infographic Site Dot Com - http://infographicsite.com/
• Submit Infographics - http://submitinfographics.com/
• OMGInfographics - http://www.omginfographics.com/
• The Infographics Showcase - http://www.infographicsshowcase.com/ ($100)
Additional Sites –
http://infographicdatabase.com/list-of-infographic-submission-websites/
@DavidWallace

14. Case Study - Barcodes
• Originally published in April 2012
• Over 1,400 Stumbles
• Over 100 Tweets; 100 Google+
• Over 900 inbound links to date
• Ranks # 3 for “how barcode scanners work”
@DavidWallace

15. Key Takeaways
• Marketing is war! Take proactive steps to avoid penalties from
algorithmic updates such as Penguin, Panda and whatever other poor
black and white animals will be used to name future updates.
• Many link building strategies that used to work no longer do! If you
are going to continue to use these, do so with much caution and
understand the risks.
• While there are still many ways to build/earn links and social signals,
social media sites and a good content marketing strategy is one of the
most proactive ways to accomplish this task.
• Just because you publish good content, doesn’t mean you are going to
see droves of traffic. Unless you are a Mashable, strategic promotion
is a must!
@DavidWallace

16. Flying for Penguins Is Not Easy.
Neither Is Link Building!
Oh Shit! I forgot that I can’t fly!
@DavidWallace

17. Be Proactive! Don’t Let Penguins Rob You!
Note: None of the Penguins used in this presentation where harmed in any way.
@DavidWallace

18. Thank You!
David Wallace
@DavidWallace
SearchRank
SearchRank
searchrank.com
bit.ly/A4JQfW
infographicjournal.com
Download This Presentation at:
http://searchrank.com/pubconvegas2012
@DavidWallace