Outreach strategies without coming across as spammy

Outreach strategies make all the difference in your link-building approach. It’s not just about getting backlinks, but also about building valuable relationships without coming across as a spammer. Below I share strategies that work without hurting your reputation.

Why creativity is essential in outreach

Many Web sites are inundated daily with standard link requests. The chances of standing out with a generic e-mail containing such a request are slim. By being creative and strategic, you increase your chances of success. Provide a personalized and relevant approach and offer value instead of just asking for a link. Make genuine connections with website owners.

Effective and non-spammy outreach strategies

Want to obtain links without generating irritation? Here are some effective methods:

1. Give before you ask

Build a relationship first before making a request. You can do this by leaving valuable comments on their content and sharing their content on social media with a sincere recommendation. Also, invite them for a collaboration or interview. By giving something first, you increase the chances that a website owner will be open to a collaboration.

2. Respond to current events

Websites are always looking for current and relevant information. Research what topics are trending within your industry and capitalize on them with well-researched insights or data. Also provide unique angles that have not yet been widely highlighted and ready-made content that adds immediate value. By capitalizing on trends, you offer something valuable and your outreach becomes more relevant.

3. Offer exclusive content

Many website owners look for different types of content. This can be in the form of a detailed case study with new insights, an expert interview that covers a topic in depth or an original infographic that enriches their content. By offering something unique, you increase the likelihood that they will link to your website.

Measure the impact of your outreach strategies

Outreach without measurement is guesswork. Keep track of how many responses you get to your posts and also see which strategies generate the most links. Also check that your approach leads to long-term connections and not just one-time links.

By regularly analyzing what works and what doesn’t, you optimize your strategy and build a sustainable link profile.

Summary

Creative outreach goes beyond just sending link requests. It’s about providing value, building relationships and capitalizing on relevant trends. By being smart and strategic, you increase your chances of getting quality backlinks without coming across as spammy. Want to spar about how to apply this? Get in touch and I’ll help you further.

Senior SEO-specialist

Ralf van Veen

Senior SEO-specialist
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I have been working for 12 years as an independent SEO specialist for companies (in the Netherlands and abroad) that want to rank higher in Google in a sustainable manner. During this period I have consulted A-brands, set up large-scale international SEO campaigns and coached global development teams in the field of search engine optimization.

With this broad experience within SEO, I have developed the SEO course and helped hundreds of companies with improved findability in Google in a sustainable and transparent way. For this you can consult my portfolio, references and collaborations.

This article was originally published on 1 February 2025. The last update of this article was on 1 February 2025. The content of this page was written and approved by Ralf van Veen. Learn more about the creation of my articles in my editorial guidelines.