There’s a new trend in backhanded internet marketing, and it takes advantage of the old concept that links exchanges build up the credibility of a website. And more credibility = better visibility in search engines, better google ranking, and maybe more earnings.

So the trend is to fish for links, or “Link Baiting”. Some companies contact bloggers with offers of paid links or banners – I have accepted one sponsored post in fact, since it seemed perfectly relevant and in tone with the blog. But what’s rather infuriating is the daily requests I get (and all bloggers get) that fish for links in ever more creative ways.

What is link baiting in real terms? It’s when you get an email that offers a guest post on your site with embedded links to their site; that tells you you’ve won a prize for best website and should display said prize banner on your site; or that simply says “we want to exchange links with your quality website” and generally offers a totally irrelevant service like contact lenses. Some, on the other hand, ask you to write a guest post for them, and then they embed links in your writing. Most of these proposals point to websites or blogs that you can totally tell were made just a few days ago. They are looking to build up content and credibility before turning them into commercial proposals that eat up your good google search position.

It’s becoming a bit of a nasty blogging trend to publish these letters, names, emails, and links included, to shame these people into disappearing. I feel almost bad doing this, but I just have to share some of the best ones I’ve gotten lately.

The totally fake blog and faux fan

Hi, My name is Linda and I’m one of arttrav.com readers.

I’d like to thank you for the excellent information I’ve found on arttrav.com, it’s one of my favorite readings on the web.

I live in Texas where I have the passion to share with family and friends some tips to increase awareness on healthy eating and diabetes prevention.

I figured you might be interested in including a guest article for arttrav.com about a new research from the University of Montreal that suggests cashew seed extract may play an important role in preventing and treating type 2 diabetes.

Article in form of a little guide with a sample recipe to help your readers experiencing with this topic and perhaps discuss the topic at hand.

Please, take a minute to consider this; it would be a pleasure and honor to contribute!

With your help we can educate the public about the dangers of diabetes and hopefully save some life.

Dear Linda
It seems quite clear that you have not read arttrav.com at all, since it is an established travel website about Italy, and thus my readers would not be at all interested in diabetes research, cashew seeds, or diabetes cookbooks for that matter.

It also seems clear to me, as a blogger and somewhat expert in SEO, that your website was made this weekend (I can tell from the RSS) and you are fishing, rather creatively, for a way to embed quality links in a guest post that will lead to a website that for now is ad-free, but will soon be transformed into a money-generating project. I get about 8 requests of this sort per week.

I suggest that you improve your spelling (who would accept a guest post with spelling and grammar errors like those in your email?) and your targeting while fishing for links.

With cordial regards,
Alexandra

Linda seems like a nice lady from Texas but the author photo on her brand new blog (diabeticcookbooks.org) is clearly stock photography, and she’s not an old fan of arttrav, because I know my fans’ names – they’re on facebook, we’re friends on twitter, and they comment regularly on the blog.

Oh look mommy, I won a prize!

I thought this was rather creative – I got a note saying I won a prize for being such a great website, and thus was awarded a digital trophy with lovely embedded links. The salutation “hello there” is very personal and something I suggest for all business correspondence, since “there” is clearly not where you are, “here”.

subject Italy Art Travel Lifestyle – Award of Recognition

Hello there,

We have created a list of the top travel lifestyle and health sites, which we believe are a great recourse for those who enjoy living a healthy lifestyle whether they are on holiday or not, whilst taking care of themselves. We have recommended your site to those who access our site on the following link: http://www.iglucruise.com/awards/health

At the bottom of the page you can chose three badges in various sizes; you can copy the HTML code so that you can display the badge with pride on your site.

IGLU is one of the biggest travel companies in the UK, and has millions of people visiting the site every year. IGLU has won many awards based on their hard work and dedication to the customer, who they offer many holiday destinations to, as well as a range of information.
Kind Regards,
Claire

Why don’t you do the work for me?

I also got a brilliant request to do a guest post for a totally irreputable blog related to an awful commercial website. I was rather surprised that some known travel bloggers actually accepted. I guess they figured it was worth the link.

I particularly liked the formal salutation: “Hey,”. I also think it’s quality writing to start a letter with a sentence that ends in a preposition. If not a proposition… I haven’t had time to respond to Aldo yet, but the letter will certainly begin with “hey to you too”.

Hey,

I am looking for key websites and blogs to affiliate with. After reviewing your web site, I would like to offer you a guest blog on our blog cheapoair.wordpress.com.

If you would be interested in doing the guest post please feel free to contact me, so we can discuss our potential exciting affiliation. Also it would be extremely helpful if you could provide me with any specific information about your web site, arttrav.com, that you would like to be included in the post. Aside from the guest blog post, you’ll be receiving a link back to your site as well.

If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Aldo,
Travel Blogger | CheapOair