I have previously shared my thoughts on creating lists for link bait. The main premise behind that post is: no matter how people might be tired of seeing lists of top tools/ site / blogs, lists still work – they are highly effective for both link and social media bait.
Today I am sharing my ways to build killer lists that both will be useful for people and generate links for your site.
Step 1: Find a tool / resource to base your list on.
To create a cool list you need at least one component of it to start with. Where you find it is up to you: it depends on your list topic and niche. I for one browse through SEO forums to see what question webmasters ask each other and what tools they would be interested in. Reader comments can be another constant source for list inspiration.
Step 2: Search Google for other similar tools / resources.
Once you know what your list will be about and already have one list component to start with (let’s call it “base component”), you can now expand your list using the most obvious tool: Google search:
- Use [related:] Google advanced search operator to find tools / resources Google considers similar to yours. Related:examplewebsite.com search returns other sites that have backlinks from the same domains and pages as examplewebsite.com. Example: if links to website1 and website2 appear on the same page a few times, Google knows that website1 and website2 are most likely to be related to each other and have similar topic.
- [Obvious] Use keywords that describe your list topic the best way plus Google advanced date range search to find most recent relevant resources. (A note aside: if you are like me and use this advanced search option daily, you might want to be able to access it from Google home page: check out this list of Greasemonkey SEO scripts to learn how to do that).
Step 3: Use social media to find similar tools / resources other people recommend and bookmark.
- Delicious tag search is an awesome way to find similar sites: first use URL search to find out what your “base component” is tagged with. Then use these tags to find other popular resources of the same type.
- Use Digg advanced search to look for most popular resources. Set the search parameters to “Title, Description and URL”, “Front Page Stories”, and “Sort best Match First”:
- Use Twitter advanced search and tools to find recently discussed sites on your topic. Quick tip: [keyword filter:links] search will return Tweets using your search term and containing an URL.
Very good information on how to build a good list. I will be applying some of these techniques. Thank you Ann!
Great list on building a list. They are always popular, hence the ubiquitous magazine covers with ‘X ways to [blank] your [blank]‘.
Some other thoughts are doing blog searches just to scan the comments, finding relevant LinkedIn or Facebook groups or trying #hashtag searches at Twitter.
Once you find some resources you can try using them as search terms in mega search engines or in specialized engines like the ones listed at altsearchengines.com.
Nice Information and Great Tips
Thanks Ann.
@Jeff, really good suggestions. Thank you!
hey…Ann
its great suggestion…and also from Jeff
To make the job even easier, pick a topic/tool, then search-out other ‘experts’ in their field on that topic.
Many of them will be more than happy to contribute a couple of sentences on what they think and/or which tools they like to use.
Plus, those experts will be willing to help you promote the piece since it’s in their best interest as well.
@Ann & @Pete to go along with what Pete said I agree that asking experts is a good strategy with creating lists.
However if you’re just starting out like I am how do you get those experts to contribute to your list and link to it?
Just ask ?
@Eric – perhaps you could try and build-up some authority by offering guest posts on other blogs. Just a couple of weeks ago David Harry was asking if anyone wanted to post on his blog: http://www.huomah.com/News/Latest/Looking-for-guest-riders.html
There are also other communities such as Sphinn and SEOmoz where you can contribute comments, posts and promote other great articles you come across.
Once people start seeing you pop-up around the place (and assuming the articles you promote and write add value to the community) you’ll have no problem getting experts to offer advice and assistance.
@Pete thanks for the advice! Still trying to figure all of this out!