Link building can be boring and arduous task. I don't really like doing it but I recognise if I want to get quality links, I need to invest the time in seeking out appropriate link partners, find their contact details and write a bespoke message, or even snail mail letter, asking for a link swap to be considered.

In the last few weeks I've received 3 link requests, actually from well two known affiliates, which seem to me to be really lazy. When I first received it, I could tell it didn't "scan" like an email wrote specifically to me. This was kind of confirmed when I received an identical email the following week. And then the same email again from somewhere else. I'm guessing it's generated by some script or maybe even an outsourced service.

The emails are like this:

We`re building relationships with sites relevant to `dressing up games` (we found you via the search engines - if this term isn`t a focus area for you, we cover a vast range of retail categories and should therefore be able to find an appropriate subject).

There are two possibilities:

1) We can hand write some content (around 2-300 words) for you to add to a page on toysandvideogames.co.uk. This will be relevant to both of our sites and will contain a single text link in it back to a relevant content page on our site.

- OR -

2) We can trade links with you, directly from a relevant content page on XXXXX (not a links page or directory). We will explain where links are located (on properly indexed and ranked pages) when you reply. We can either do this directly or as a `three way` type link if you prefer.

Funnily enough, the offer is not unattractive but when I see a template email like that, I just kind of switch of and am not interested. There's a slight irony because one of them came from an affiliate who has quite publicly blogged about the way not to write emails if you want to catch his attention.

Or am I just just being over sensitive? Maybe these type of emails work and find a more receptive audience with others than they do with me. But personally I find it a bit naff. The email goes on to say that my site was carefully selected which I don't even believe. When I carefully select a site and have a link proposition, I don't then spoil it all by sending something so obviously not specifically directed at them.

Labels: link building