In the world of SEO, link building has always been about balance , creating authentic connections while ensuring consistent results. But what if your entire strategy could improve with one small change? This approach doesn’t just simplify outreach but also shifts the way professionals perceive responses. The key? Reframing skepticism as an opportunity.
Moving Beyond the Traditional Perspective
Many outreach professionals halt their efforts in the face of skepticism. A question like "How did you find my email?" or "Why are you contacting me?" often prompts a negative reaction. Instead of seeing these responses as rejections, they should be viewed as openings to build trust. By shifting the focus from a direct ask to conversation-building, the chances of earning a backlink significantly improve.
Here is why this reframing is essential: it mirrors authentic relationship-building. People value honesty, context, and relevance, attributes that can turn a cold email into a genuine interaction.
A Methodical Approach to Link Building: What to Do
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Treat Any Reply as Positive Progress
Even if a reply seems skeptical, acknowledge it as a good starting point. Someone took the time to read and respond, signaling a level of interest or curiosity. -
Respond Without Defensiveness
When answering skepticism, use natural language. For example, if someone asks, "Why did you email me?" you might respond, "I came across your article on sustainable fashion while researching eco-friendly clothing businesses. I loved your approach to reducing waste and thought my content might add value." -
Avoid Pushing for the Link Immediately
Instead of reiterating your request, offer a subtle connection by sharing something useful (a data point, free resource, commentary). Build rapport before making a second attempt. -
Mirror Their Interests or Expertise
For instance, when contacting a small business about linking to a local travel guide, adopt the tone of an engaged local traveler. This reduces the marketer-vibe and encourages openness. -
Show Genuine Engagement
Mention specific details from their content. This proves you’re not sending canned emails but have dedicated effort to understanding their perspective.
Real-Life Example
Recently, during a project focusing on travel startups, I reached out to a niche travel blog explaining how international hosts might find my guide valuable. Their reply was skeptical: “Why would my readers care about a guide like this?” Instead of pitching them again, I suggested they could check the guide and decide whether it could complement a specific series of posts they had done around eco-tourism. Their tone changed noticeably, and by the next email, they included it in their list of resources.
The takeaway? Acknowledge their concerns while tying them back to their audience needs.
The Numbers: Small Changes Yield Big Results
According to Search Engine Journal, outreach emails that adopt conversational tones and show genuine engagement have a 76% higher positive response rate compared to generic templates. In addition, SEOs who focus on relationship-building report earning 2.3 times more quality backlinks within the same timeline than those who rely on template email lists.
Avoiding Common Errors
When pursuing this method, it’s easy to stumble into familiar traps. Let’s cover some critical mistakes:
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Acting Like a Marketer
Avoid language that reads as salesy or overly formal. People pick up on intent quickly; authenticity is always better. -
Not Personalizing Outreach
Canned responses destroy credibility. Spend time engaging with their content to create relevant email pitches. -
Reframing Poorly
If replies feel antagonistic, resist the urge to escalate. A level-headed and patient approach is more likely to bring the conversation into neutral territory.
Starting Today: Next Steps
Improving your link building strategy doesn’t need a complete overhaul. Implement this simple workflow:
- Begin with focused research. Know their website content, values, and audience.
- Plan for responses before starting your campaign. Think about how to address skepticism constructively.
- Make the connection personable. Messages should read like they’re written for one person, not dozens.
Testing this process can surprise even seasoned professionals. You may discover opportunities for collaboration and insights about outreach that apply broadly to your business communications.
Wrapping It Up
Reframing skepticism changes link-building on multiple levels. It increases respect for both parties’ time and improves success rates by delivering human-centered pitches. Search Engine Journal and experts like Roger Montti have been vocal on the benefits of these personalized, trust-building approaches. Considering that SEO is increasingly relationship-driven, adopting strategies like these ensures your efforts remain effective and adaptive to changing expectations.
Making one small change today can cascade into greater returns tomorrow. Whether you’re a freelancer, startup founder, or business owner, the solution is surprisingly simple: nurture the human connection first, and the links will follow.
FAQ on Improving Link Building Strategies With One Small Change
1. What is the small change that can improve link building strategies?
The "small change" involves reframing skepticism from outreach recipients as an opportunity rather than a rejection. This mindset shift allows marketers to build trust and improves the likelihood of earning quality backlinks. Read more about the small change in SEO strategies
2. How should I respond when someone questions my outreach email?
Instead of reacting defensively, respond genuinely and conversationally. Acknowledge their skepticism and provide context in a friendly manner, for example, mentioning how you found their content and why you think the collaboration could be valuable. Learn how to respond effectively to outreach skepticism
3. Is it okay to push for a link immediately after skepticism?
No. Avoid reiterating your request immediately. Instead, focus on building rapport by sharing useful resources or engaging in a relevant conversation before reintroducing your request. Learn how to build rapport during outreach
4. How can I make my outreach emails feel more personalized?
Mention specific details from their content, such as unique points or ideas that resonate with your own. Demonstrating genuine engagement will make your outreach stand out and show that it's not a generic email.
5. Why is skepticism an opportunity in link building?
Skepticism indicates that the recipient is still engaging with your outreach rather than outright rejecting it. This interaction gives you a chance to build trust and establish a genuine connection.
6. What should I avoid when responding to skeptical replies?
Avoid sounding overly formal or salesy. Responding in a defensive or insistent manner can harm your credibility. Instead, focus on creating a natural, human-centric relationship.
7. Are there quantitative benefits to changing link building strategies?
Yes, using personalized and conversational outreach increases positive response rates by 76% and results in 2.3 times more quality backlinks. See insights on the benefits of conversational outreach
8. What are common mistakes to avoid in link building outreach?
Some common mistakes include using canned responses without personalization, acting too much like a marketer, and escalating tensions in conversations with skeptical recipients. Discover mistakes to avoid during link building
9. How can I mirror the interests of potential link partners?
Adopt the tone and perspective of the recipient's audience. For example, if they write about travel, demonstrate an interest in local traveling, or share your relevant experiences to establish common ground.
10. Is this strategy effective in today’s SEO landscape?
Yes, as SEO becomes more human-centered and relationship-driven, strategies involving trust-building and personalized outreach are highly effective. Explore how relationship-driven SEO is evolving
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.