Bribes for links / blog mentions

[Geoffuk]

I've been contemplating this for a while now.

Has anyone tried anything like this? I thought about the possability of offering a free gift of money off a next order for any customer that gives us a mention in their website or blog.

I also though about sending some kind of gift to blog writers to try to get them to give us a mention.

Has anyone tried this kind of promotion? Any views? Advice? Pitfalls?


Regards,

Geoff

[fizzbird]

Originally Posted by Geoffuk I've been contemplating this for a while now. Has anyone tried anything like this? I thought about the possability of offering a free gift of money off a next order for any customer that gives us a mention in their website or blog. I also though about sending some kind of gift to blog writers to try to get them to give us a mention. Has anyone tried this kind of promotion? Any views? Advice? Pitfalls?

What about offering them content instead? I find the most difficult thing about running a blog is keeping it fresh with relevant content.

If a merchant was to give me a unique article then I would almost certainly use it. Whereas if someone offered me cash I would ignore them - firstly because the amount would be quite low and secondly, I wouldn't want to jeopardise my blog/site by tainting it with paid links.

I have only accepted cash for links once and I don't think it did me any good in the long run.

BTW: My sites are wedding, christmas gifts and construction related so I wouldn't be any help to you anyway!

[UKOffer]

Yes have done a promo before where I asked website owners/bloggers to mention me and they would win a free phone or free blog redesign, see here Write a review of my site and win a Sony Ericsson P990i Smartphone and here Competition - Win a completely new blog design worth $799. Both did OK.

I also have a free stuff feature here: Send Me Free Stuff and I’ll Blog About You - Paparazzi Bingo

[Geoffuk]

Thanks for the replies.

What about offering them content instead? I find the most difficult thing about running a blog is keeping it fresh with relevant content.

I've tried this route and was quite surprised by the responses, a couple have been successful but most have just come back with prices or say they don't publish any commercial links. I think it may becuase many people are trying to do it.

if someone offered me cash I would ignore them - firstly because the amount would be quite low and secondly, I wouldn't want to jeopardise my blog/site by tainting it with paid links. I have only accepted cash for links once and I don't think it did me any good in the long run.

Cash was never an option. Sorry if I gave the wrong impression. I was thinking more along the lines of freebies/samples. I wouldn't want to get involved in the whole cash for links thing as I don't think its good for anyone in the long run. I'd rather prompt someone to have a look at our goods/website and if they want to give us a mention then great!

P.S. We do some nice crockery, cafetieres etc that could make nice gifts. Also for the more extravegant we've sent quite a few Kitchenaid Mixers out for presents.......How blatent does this plug look?


Maybe I'll send some stuff down the road for you Kieron, can't beat a bit of free stuff!

[Boredofthehighstreet]

Fizzbird,

If you need unique content then pm me and we will send you unique articles to promote Boredofthehighstreet and Motelrocks.

If you have any clothes or relevant blogs then Im sure we can push forward with a great partnership.

Thanks

[aaclapham]

Originally Posted by fizzbird What about offering them content instead? I find the most difficult thing about running a blog is keeping it fresh with relevant content. If a merchant was to give me a unique article then I would almost certainly use it. Whereas if someone offered me cash I would ignore them - firstly because the amount would be quite low and secondly, I wouldn't want to jeopardise my blog/site by tainting it with paid links. I have only accepted cash for links once and I don't think it did me any good in the long run. BTW: My sites are wedding, christmas gifts and construction related so I wouldn't be any help to you anyway!

It depends how much cash is on offer. I recently got a sponsorship deal on one of my sites that is 3 times what I make in commision a year on that site. The key is not to sell yourself short.

I am also happy if any fashion merchant wants to send me free uniqe content

[QualityNonsense]

Encyclopaedia Britannica offer free membership for bloggers - same idea. I'd guess if you avoid demanding 'links' and you won't upset Google. Be tactful about what request.

[ash]

Some of you guys are way too paranoid about buying or selling links.

You'll only in danger of getting penalised if there is an audit trail to your purchase or sale. Ie any transactions made in private (email, PM's etc) can never be traced by Google.

[fizzbird]

Originally Posted by ash Some of you guys are way too paranoid about buying or selling links. You'll only in danger of getting penalised if there is an audit trail to your purchase or sale. Ie any transactions made in private (email, PM's etc) can never be traced by Google.

I disagree - if someone pays you for links then they are sure to be paying a lot of other people too. I may be paranoid, yes, but the links I sold were on a page which has never ranked for any keyword in over a year. I have 100 odd pages on that site and all rank on page 1-3 for something.

[fizzbird]

Originally Posted by Geoffuk Cash was never an option. P.S. We do some nice crockery, cafetieres etc that could make nice gifts. Also for the more extravegant we've sent quite a few Kitchenaid Mixers out for presents.......How blatent does this plug look?

My mistake - having read Kieron's reply I guess it could work.

How's about a new fridge/freezer then?

[ash]

Originally Posted by fizzbird I disagree - if someone pays you for links then they are sure to be paying a lot of other people too. I may be paranoid, yes, but the links I sold were on a page which has never ranked for any keyword in over a year. I have 100 odd pages on that site and all rank on page 1-3 for something.

I'd say your confusing the difference between buying and selling links.

For example it would be very easy for me to pose as another website and buy lots of links leaving a nice audit trail back to their site and then report them for buying links.

It would be impossible for me to sell links from a competitors site and get them penalised for selling links.

If you consider the above two examples from Googles perspective who would you penalise? The buyer (that could be faked) or the seller?