Mar 11 2009

Build Links with Instructional Content

I have already posted a couple of articles on how instructional content may help in your promotion. A good well-compiled and to-the-point tutorial may be a much better viral piece than any sensational article you may come up with.

People willingly search, bookmark and share guides, tutorials and how-tos. And even if links don’t come on their own, you can find plenty of opportunities to build them.

So, my first tip: create instructional content. And my second tip is: use Google to learn how to promote it. Here is the recipe:

1. What general terms can describe your post? Here are some example: tutorial, manual, instruction, guide, etc (add more in the comments).

2. Now, add some “link building word”, e.g.: add, suggest, submit, etc (here is a good list of them and also add your own). Here is what we have come up with so far:

  • add tutorial;
  • add manual;
  • suggest tutorial;
  • suggest manual, etc, etc.

3. Use wildcard to broaden the search: e.g. “add * tutorial” will include “add your tutorial“, “add a tutorial“, etc.

4. Add your relevant word to find niche-related resources (e.g. “add * tutorial” SEO);

5. Play with other advanced operators:

  • “SEO * tutorial” inurl:submit;
  • “SEO * guide” inurl:add;
  • tutorial intitle:suggest, etc

See, how many queries we can use to search for link building opportunities to promote your instructional content. Please, share your tricks for using Google search to build links.

19 Responses to “Build Links with Instructional Content”

  1. RT @aimclear: Build Links with Instructional Content, Daily SEO Tip http://tinyurl.com/dakwpe

  2. Build Links with Instructional Content, Daily SEO Tip http://tinyurl.com/dakwpe

  3. SEO Tip: Build Links with Instructional Content http://tinyurl.com/dakwpe via @ShareThis

  4. Reading: “Build Links with Instructional Content | Daily SEO Tip” ( http://tinyurl.com/dakwpe )

  5. Barry Welford says:

    I always do a Google search and blogsearch of the exact title of my article to find other web pages that may refer to the same subject. You can get ideas on how to improve your own piece and also add the others in as references. This will give you very relevant trackbacks to your own manual/tutorial.

    Barry Welford’s last incredible blog post..Since Google Is In Mountain View, CA, Is It A Guru?

  6. Jones says:

    Good advice! I’ve been learning my way around WordPress and fortunately there are tutorials available that pick up where Codex leaves off. Actually, codex kinda sucks for a new user.

    Jones’s last incredible blog post..

  7. tabsfiroz says:

    I would like to add that, while searching for terms like “SEO * tutorial” inurl:submit; use the advanced google search for sorting websites by date, which will give you the recently cached sites list from google.
    Hope this helps………

  8. Josh Millrod says:

    Seriously good tip. I also recommend creating resources related to SEO/SEM/SMO in another field. Once you’ve got some solid content, whether it’s Twitter for Coffee Shops or SEO for Brick and Mortar, then reach out to leaders in the space. They’ll help you cross-pollinate your content and establish you as an SEO/SEM/SMO expert in that industry.

    Josh Millrod’s last incredible blog post..The 4 Rules of SEO for Online Journalism

  9. Blog Traffic says:

    Go to Google Blog Search every day.

    In quotes type in the most closely related keyword for your instructional content.

    Review the relevant blogs. Decide which alternative below is

    (1)A guest post offer. (You will refer to your content in the post).

    (2)Simple blog comment with link to instructional content

    Dont be shy about making the following request: If you find
    sufficient value in my _________________(instructional content),
    [lease link to it in your “Recommended Resources” section (or the like).

    (3)Invite a guest post on same or similar topic. Guest poster will invarialy link to their own guest post.

    Repeat this process for closely related keywords and phraes.

    Best of success,

    Robert A. Kearse

    Blog Traffic’s last incredible blog post..Link Popularity Asset — This Online Site Manages Reciprocal Link Requests

  10. Laurence Flynn says:

    Good stuff, Ann! And very timely since I’m writing a basic but complete SEO course for our clients. :)

    Laurence Flynn’s last incredible blog post..SEO STRATEGY SERIES: 1 – Introduction

  11. Arnie | Vertical Measures says:

    For most clients, coming up with a really good piece of instructional content seems to be the challenge. We often end up doing it for them.

    Once you have it, to me promoting it is always the fun part!

    Arnie | Vertical Measures’s last incredible blog post..Brands In Search Results, Matt Cutts Sheds Some Light

  12. Froggy says:

    Nice tip Ann

    i tend to use google alerts a lot to pick up new posts about a topic i may be working on ,great for ideas

    Froggy’s last incredible blog post..Write about a site and get links

  13. Facebook Game Development says:

    I was really confused between them. And you have really solved my problem. quite informative article. Thanks

  14. Andreas - Linknami says:

    Not only should the content be instructional but it should also be presented in a well structured manner like paragraphs with bold headings or by utilising ordered lists.

  15. luis vuitton says:

    I would like to add that, while searching for terms like “SEO * tutorial” inurl:submit; use the advanced google search for sorting websites by date, which will give you the recently cached sites list from google.
    Hope this helps………

    [Reply]

  16. Sandra - ukcopiersonline says:

    One should use synonyms of there keywords in the content.

  17. rakesh says:

    nice article on buildlinks, thanks for info

  18. tratament says:

    just nice? no, it`s better than nice, it`s fantastic article. i`ve learned so much, maybe because i`m a newbie, but it`s fantastic. keep it going!

  19. Ron val says:

    411 Credit Online can provide you with the best possible rates and terms
    available regardless of your credit history. Allow us to get you approved
    today! Our trained professionals will work with you no matter your credit.
    With over 20 Banks and lenders we guarantee the best rates available.
    Good Credit? Special programs are available for those with Good Credit.