If you read Reputation Management Jujitsu you know that saying nice things about not-so-nice companies can be a powerful linkbuilding tactic.  Of course it’s also true that saying nice things about nice companies can also work.

For example, last week I posted Mixpo is Pretty Cool after seeing a demo at the Kelsey DMS show.  Today I found that Mixpo’s VC, Yaletown Venture Partners, had just posted a link to my post, which should help improve the ranking of my blog for all things Mixpo and in general.

Now I know what you’re thinking – you are not a big time local search blogger, you’re an attorney in Pleasanton or some such thing.  And why would some big shot VC link to me?

Here’s what I think:

1. I just came back from the Kelsey local search conference and there are hundreds if not thousands of businesses trying to get the attention of SMBs (and investors)
2. If a SMB, like say a Pleasanton attorney, writes something favorable about my business (preferably with their target keywords in the headline), I am going to be pretty eager to show current & potential customers, current & potential investors, current & potential partners, the media, and my family that in fact someone finds my service useful
3. If I have an interest in the success of the business, and a website, I will probably throw you a link

And of course you get extra points if you actually do find the service useful.