If you’re looking to boost your organic traffic in 2016, generating more inbound links is your best bet. They’re the single most important factor influencing your Google Page Rank, affording you significant SEO growth.
Attracting inbound links might seem as difficult as making the Kessel run in less than 12 parsecs, but it isn’t actually quite that daunting. In fact, the most important step in attracting inbound links is simply publishing regular content on your blog. Companies that maintain a blog receive 97% more inbound links than companies without one.
If you want to take it to the next step, you have to start optimizing your content. Here are some easy ways to do just that without resorting to Jedi mind tricks:
Make Yourself a Source
You don’t need to turn to the dark side of the force to encourage inbound links. People are attracted to statistics and cold, hard facts. Using them in your content helps solidify you as an industry expert and encourages people to cite your research or share it with their audience. Making yourself a credible source goes a long way to helping you generate natural inbound links.
Finding interesting data to share shouldn’t be too difficult. Do you have any particular insights into the industry or your audience that supports your article? Even if you don’t, create a relevant survey and publish the results. As long as the data is timely and interesting, it’ll generate some buzz.
Leverage Video Content
Video content is engaging, mobile-friendly, and shareable. The more often you’re able to incorporate video into your content, the more inbound links you’ll have. If you aren’t already using embedded video, here are some simple ways to get started:
- Repurpose old content into brief video infographics or tips.
- Answer your audience’s frequently asked questions with a short video response.
- Film customer testimonials and success stories.
- Create simple how-to videos that solve basic problems facing your audience.
Beef Up Your Content
Your content doesn’t need to be the size of the Death Star, but it does need to be lengthy enough to encourage more shares. Longer content provides greater value to your audience as it goes into greater depth on a topic. Producing longer content is also a differentiating feature for your company as many simply don’t want to devote the time to lengthy, well-researched 2,000-word blog posts. Your inbound efforts are better served towards creating one fantastic article over a handful of smaller basic pieces.
Obi-Wan Kenobi was Princess Leia’s only hope in her struggle against the Emperor. Generating inbound links isn’t quite your only hope, but it’s your best bet to improve organic traffic and SEO in the new year. Following the tips above will get you well on your way.
What strategies have you used with your content to generate inbound links? Let us know below!
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