Backlinks are a key element of SEO, elevating your website's ranking on search engines like Google. This guide reveals a method for constructing high-authority backlinks without any financial investment, a strategy typically reserved for SEO agencies working with top brands.

Why You Need Backlinks

Backlinks are links from other websites to yours. They tell search engines that your website is trustworthy and has valuable information. To rank number one on Google, you need backlinks.

Most backlinks are built by paying for them. This goes against Google's rules. Paying for backlinks, such as guest posting or link exchanges, will only take you so far. If you want backlinks from high-authority sites, focus on PR link building.

Reactive PR: Your Free Backlink Strategy

Reactive PR means connecting with journalists who need sources for their stories. You can do this for free using these tools:

• HARO (Help a Reporter Out)

• Qwoted

• SourceBottle

Some people think these tools are too competitive. They worry that journalists are tired of getting pitches written by AI. But this strategy still works. By using it effectively, you can build relationships with journalists and gain exclusive access to high-authority websites.

One example is having a great relationship with a journalist who sends pitches before they go out on HARO. This gives brands the first chance to get featured and get backlinks on top websites.

How to Use the Tools

All three platforms are available for unrestricted use. Here's how to get started:

1. Create an account: Sign up for HARO, Qwoted, and SourceBottle.

2. Enter your information: Add your name, email, and job.

3. Select your industries: Choose the topics you're interested in. This will help you find relevant requests from journalists.

Each platform operates similarly but covers different topics.

• HARO: Offers many broad topics. You can subscribe to the master list to get all requests.

• Qwoted: Uses hashtags. Add as many hashtags as you can that relate to your area of expertise (up to 50).

• SourceBottle: Is based in Australia. Select your topics and the countries that interest you.

You can subscribe to all of them, primarily if you work with many brands. If it's just you, pick the ones that are most relevant to your business.

Sometimes, you might get a backlink from a website that is not directly related to your industry. For example, a fashion brand could obtain a link on Shopify if it is a successful e-commerce business.

Managing Emails and Crafting Pitches

Once you sign up, you'll receive daily emails with requests from reporters.

• HARO: Sends three emails a day (morning, midday, and afternoon EST). Each email has 50-100+ requests.

• Qwoted: Sends emails for each request. You might get dozens of emails each day. You'll also receive a summary every 24 hours of any content you missed.

• SourceBottle: Sends two emails a day with a few requests in each (usually 4-5).

That's many emails. But it's worth it if you want to build backlinks. Checking these emails is better than sending cold emails to random bloggers. These links will help your brand grow.

Don't check your email every second. Check in the middle of the day after the second HARO email. Then check again in the afternoon after the third HARO email. You can check SourceBottle and Qwoted simultaneously.

To write pitches without spending hours, use ChatGPT. But don't just copy and paste. That will not work.

There is no perfect ChatGPT prompt that will consistently deliver a perfect pitch. Use a prompt as a starting point and then edit the output to fit the specific request from the journalist.

Here's what you need to include in your pitch:

1. Introduce yourself: Explain why you are the best expert for this request. You need to stand out from the other pitches.

2. Give a clear answer: Provide a straightforward answer to the journalist's question.

3. Add extra detail: Include additional information or personal experiences to make your pitch stand out.

Example Pitches That Landed Backlinks

Here are some examples of pitches that have led to backlinks on high-authority websites:

• For a tattoo skincare brand, they provided tips to heal freshly tattooed skin.

• For a fall bag collection, they discussed bags for fall styling, with a focus on sustainable options.

• For footwear, they mentioned how they are well-positioned and successful.

These pitches are not copied and pasted from ChatGPT. They are tailored to the specific needs of each journalist.

To do this, look at their social profiles and past work to understand their writing style. It takes time, but it can lead to backlinks on top websites. It can also lead to future relationships with journalists.

Get Results

By consistently implementing this strategy, you, as a genuine expert, can secure one to two backlinks every month. That's a potential of 12 to 24 backlinks annually, most of which will be from high-authority websites. These unique links will give you a competitive edge in search rankings, enabling you to surpass your competitors.

Are you ready to embark on the journey of building high-authority backlinks for free? By leveraging reactive PR and these tools, you can enhance your website's SEO and improve your ranking on Google's search results. The time to start is now!