How to Write a Good Link Request Email

Links from relevant sites help your search engine rankings.

Getting links to your site from other high-quality websites with related subject matter is an essential part of a website's marketing strategy. Not only will potential readers click through to view your site, but also your ranking in search engines such as Google will increase. To make a successful request for a back link from another company or organization's website, sell your idea in a well-crafted e-mail message.

Instructions

1. Summarize the purpose of the email in the header or title, and make it personal by including a name. For example: "Query for John from a fellow horror enthusiast (re link exchange)." This establishes what you have in common and makes it clear what you the e-mail is about.

2. Open informally with a greeting by name, such as, "Hi, Jane." The more personal you make it, the less the e-mail looks like automatically generated spam that the reader can easily ignore.

3. Introduce yourself and your website briefly. For example: "I'm Richard, editor of the website Restaurants You'll Love."

4. State why you like the other person's website, as this shows you aren't randomly making requests but carefully selecting who you partner with. Write "I've been reading your website for a while, and it includes some excellent resources about sports in the Chicago area," for example.

5. Make the request clearly: "Would you consider linking to my website from your resources page?"

6. Offer to do the same in return, and explain how it will benefit the other website as well as your own. For example: "I'll happily link to your site in return. Our readers both have a big interest in this subject, and I think exchanging links could widen the audience for both sites."

7. Express a desire for a response, such as "I look forward to hearing your thoughts," and sign off with your full name and the URL of your website. Providing your full name assures the reader again that your e-mail isn't spam.