From: Peter Gregory
Subject: From one SEO to another – ya got some broken links
Message Body:
Hey Andrew,
It’s been awhile, but a little over a year ago I contacted you about a blog post and press release we wrote that included a quote from you in reference to local SEO.
You had mentioned that you would even list our site on your list of IYP’s here: https://www.localseoguide.com/how-to-update-your-internet-yellow-pages-listings-for-free/
So I was thinking hell yeah, this dude is cool! However, I’m guessing that our site sucked bad enough for you to not be interested at the time. Well GREAT news! Our site doesn’t suck (too much) anymore! In fact, we have grown nicely over the course of the last year and wanted to ask that you might consider giving us another chance 😉
Also in the good ole fashioned spirit of link building out reach, I figured I give you an incentive as well and show you some links on the page that are broken so you can remove those filthy competitors off that wonderful page of yours or (if you absolutely have to) just replace them with links that work. Alright, they may be competitors, but if that’s what you want to do I’ll even give you the working links to make your life that much easier. Just ’cause I like ya!
http://advertise.local.com/search_buslisting.aspx should prob be changed to: https://advertise.local.com/
http://store.yellowpages.com/post/ should prob be changed to: https://adsolutions.att.com/listings/Services/ServiceClaimSearch.aspx
Now if that isn’t enough to convince you I don’t know what else I can do.
Oh wait…got one more idea! I have two very nice pics (if I do say so myself) that were not doctored in anyway with crappy photoshop skills and feel completely comfortable denying that in any court of law. You can check out these amazing photos here for initial reference:
http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j419/funforjackson/goodandrew.jpg
http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j419/funforjackson/badandrew.jpg
I can delete one of them based on how well my message is received 😛
Your decision…time to play hard ball.
26 Response Comments
Nice blackmailing. BTW, what was your reply?
you’re commenting on it
Blackmail….I call it persuasion. Thanks again Andrew.
He is a devilishly handsome fella though ain’t he?
Peter, your linkbuilding efforts might prove more fruitful if you can figure out why your comments are being marked as SPAM by Akismet and/or SpamKarma 😉
Thanks for the heads up. That is no bueno. Must be on a burned ip or something. Looking into it now.
Cheeky, as the Brits would say. If it is received well, then it has worked well. Good show!
As someone who gets a fair amount of link requests, it comes off a little “chummy”. (Like we know each other) but it is funny. I like the bit about how your site probably sucked but now it’s better. That would convince me to give it another look.
I like to think I am chummy with my readers 🙂 ” Chummy” gets the job done, particularly v “lame”
Pure genius. Thanks for sharing, Andrew, and nicely done, Peter!
A fairly typical link building email, until the fabulous non-photoshopped pics. Well done Peter and extra kudos for following up. That first touch point a year ago was likely critical in you achieving this link.
Cheeky…chummy….whatever works. But let’s get this one thing straight. Those images were done by a true professional and worthy of anyone’s attention, right?
Very interesting, Andrew; I would’ve said yes to this one as well.
Saved it for later in case I want to steal the brilliant copy for something. LOL
That’s why they call Peter Gregory the link master….the legend lives on…..
Personally, I think the red horns make you look particularly fetching! 😛
Easy tiger, this is a family blog after all
I’d let Andrew hold me any day.
Sol, you do realise that you said that out loud…
The Greeat SEO Guy Ever >;)
I too like “chummy” better’n “lame”…least that’s this Canucks POV!
🙂
Jim
PS great piece once again, Andrew….
Anyone that is organised enough to keep a link building action on their “to do list” for a year is clearly head and shoulders above the average scrounger. Merited!
Catchy story Andrew. I did not realise blackmailing for link building works wonders. Maybe I will try it myself.
The photos are a little creepy, don’t you think?
Not a style I’d be comfortable with personally, but the fact that we are all different and this approach is clearly derived from the personality of the sender is not something to be critical of. Nothing wrong with a little diversity.
Also like the method of response.
don’t negotiate with linkbuilding terrorists, Andrew
Iain, are you saying my personality is creepy or just my photo editing skills? Either way ouch. #brushinguponphotoshopskillswhilesearchingforpixofIAIN 😉
the photo editing is first rate, so he must mean your personality. Andrew, why are some of these comment links dofollow and some nofollow?
PS heard you speak at Yodle a couple years back, was a real pleasure. and would love to see more photoshopping Peter
Andrews
It’s “Spooky” dude!!!