How can you build quality links for a personal blog or portfolio?

The focus on metrics often outweighs what matters; having something interesting & salient to say. Look internally for this, not externally. Competitor reviews & audits typically just show gaps and ends up encouraging a culture of copying. Be original, combine your own data (experience), skills & personality.

Old Link Building: ? - Use PBNs to build links. - Buying links from Link farms. - Using only Exact match anchors. - Focused only on the number of links. New Link Building: ? - Focuses on earning high-quality links. - Using HARO for authoritative links. - Diversified anchor text profile. - Avoid Link farms & PBNs. To get results, do New Link Building in 2023.

Absolutely, understanding your audience is the cornerstone of creating content that resonates. But here's a twist: while we zone in on our niche, let's not forget the power of cross-pollination. As a graphic designer, for instance, collaborating with non-design spaces can bring fresh eyes to your work. Think about it — your next big client might not be reading design blogs but could stumble upon your infographic in a startup's newsletter. It's all about casting a wide yet strategic net. Keep it real, keep it you, and watch your personal brand grow in places you hadn't imagined!

Before doing anything or setting any goals, define 'quality links' for either the personal blog or portfolio. Quality links mean more than rank! There are definite ethics involved in the quality of links. Why? Links are easy to get and the system itself can be 'gamed' to a point. But if you want quality, you will have to decline certain links and certain link builders who do shady stuff, or whose website is NOT a match to yours. Top Tip: When in doubt, put several pieces of content of a questionable link in the AI detector! ;)

Before diving into link building, clarity on your goals and audience is key. Know who you're targeting and what you want them to do. Are you aiming for more visibility, authority, or engagement? Tailor your link-building strategy accordingly. It's like setting the GPS before hitting the road—know your destination!

Content is King, and the higher the quality of your content, the more time people will spend consuming it, and then sharing it with their networks. As your content gets shared organically, this will in turn get more exposure and may get picked up by media outlets, who may reference your story and link to your content. This is the highest form of organic link building, and will result in better search engine rankings. So the higher the quality of your content the higher the chance of getting quality organic links.

Navigating link building can feel like a tough puzzle, but it's simpler when you think of your content as a tool to help your readers. Instead of just pushing out content, think, "Will this solve a reader's problem or brighten their day?" That's the gold! And hey, while SEO is cool and all, it's the human touch that turns a good read into a shareable gem. So, let's focus on crafting stories that stick, advice that acts, and content that counts. Keep it real, pack it with value, and those shares will start rolling in before you know it. Remember, it's not just about being found; it's about being remembered and passed on.

Content is king, my friend! Craft content that's not just informative but shareable too. Solve problems, entertain, or spark curiosity. When your audience finds value, they become your best promoters. It's like a good recipe—when people taste it, they'll want the secret sauce (your content) and share it with others.

Absolutely. The content on your site is the most important. I believe that Off-page should be reduced to include your site in relevant directories, create press releases, and other natural ways, but we should avoid using paid guest posting if is not relevant and of course never buy backlinks from farms. If the content is relevant, and follow EEAT principles, the backlinks are going to come naturally, and we just need to then disavow the malicious links.

Promoting your content, is essential because without people knowing about your content, it will take much longer to get exposure and eyeballs. The best place to promote your content is through social media, as it has the virality factor which could potentially boost your content to many more people. You can also just post it to your networks and communities who you think would benefit from the content. If your content provides value, people will link to your content. For every link back to your content, its like a referral, and is a big factor in the algorithm in determining which content is of high quality and should be ranked on the search results page.

Promotion and networking are key, but let's flip the script. Imagine not just reaching out, but becoming the go-to spot that others can't wait to link to. Yes, sharing on socials and engaging in forums is great, but what if your content was the main event? Think of it as being the host of the party rather than just a guest. Be that authentic voice that others look for. And when you connect with peers, don't just swap links; swap stories, insights, and value. That's how you build a community, not just a network. It's about being so good they can't ignore you, and then, the links? They build themselves.

Don't be the best-kept secret! Promote your content like a blockbuster movie premiere. Share it on social media, reach out to influencers, and engage in communities. Networking is the digital handshake—build relationships with others in your niche. It's like hosting a party; the more people you invite, the better the vibe, and your content gets the VIP treatment.

Guest posting is a great way to build links to your portfolio or personal blog, especially if you're a freelance writer. You get to share your nuggets of wisdom on other great publications, you get a backlink from them (most likely in the author bio), and you have another awesome article for your portfolio. Everybody wins ??

Monitoring and measuring the results of your content is very important, search algorithms look at metrics like traffic volume, time spent on page, bounce rate, & scroll rate to determine the quality of your content. There are heaps of analytics tools you can use, but the best tool to start with is Google Analytics 4. Using link building tools you can analyse the authority and value of other websites, and you can use these insights to know which web entities you should be asking a link from. Getting links from a high value, high authority websites, will mean you will get a good amount of "link juice" to your site, which will help with your own value and authority. Just make sure it not a "no follow" link :)

Absolutely, monitoring and measuring are essential, but here's a thought – what if numbers aren't the only measure of success? Sometimes, the most impactful connections don't show up in analytics right away. It's about the relationships built and the conversations started. Sure, check the dashboards, but also listen to the buzz your content creates, the messages you receive, the repeat visitors who turn into community members. That's the real gold of link building – the human interactions that stats can't always capture. Let's not forget, behind every click is a person, and those personal connections are priceless.

In the digital world, data is gold. Keep a hawk's eye on your efforts. Use tools to track your link-building success. Are you climbing the SEO ranks? Is your audience growing? It's like managing stocks—track performance and adjust your strategy. Smart monitoring ensures you're not just on the journey but reaching the destination with style.

I've been using WhitePress? for over two years now, and it's truly revolutionary. With access to over 83,000 websites and services in 30 languages, WhitePress? makes my link-building strategy incredibly easy. From high-quality copywriting to detailed analytics, this platform offers everything you need to enhance your digital marketing strategy.

Sometimes the most insightful nuggets don't fit neatly into our usual boxes, right? Take the road less traveled in link-building. Think about the personal touches, the unexpected 'thank you' notes, the genuine interaction that goes beyond the click. Remember, it's not just about algorithms and analytics; it's about people. So, my two cents? Don't be afraid to color outside the lines. The unique connections you forge today could be the cornerstone of your network tomorrow. Keep it real, keep it you, and the rest will follow.

Don't forget the seasoning! Be mindful of anchor text diversity; it's like a well-balanced dish—mix it up for flavor. Quality over quantity—choose reputable sites to link to you. And, always stay updated on industry trends; it's like having the latest gadget in a tech-savvy world. Keep evolving, adapt, and watch your link-building strategy become a digital masterpiece!

There is another important aspect, there is more and more hostile SEO, when you buy bad backlinks to your competitors, in order to penalize them. Be aware and constantly crawl.

Consider using platforms like HARO, Help a B2B Writer Featured, Qwoted, etc. to build links to your portfolio/personal blog. Submit your answers to journalists'/writers' questions and gain links when they use your quote.