So last night I posted some quick tips for getting started and being proactive with building inbound links.  But, I read an interview with Matt Cutts this morning (ironically conducted at SMX earlier this month – we were there!) that garnered an additional post.  I mean, really, you can’t get enough of this stuff or know enough of this stuff…it’s just so worth it.

Here is a great excerpt of the Interview by Eric Enge with Matt Cutts on Link Building:

Eric Enge: So, what I’d like you to start with, Matt, is just an overview of your thoughts of what the approach should be. And then, we can get into some more detailed stuff.

Matt Cutts: Yeah, totally. So, what are the links that will stand the test of time? Those links are typically given voluntarily. It is an editorial link by someone, and it’s someone that’s informed. They are not misinformed, they are not tricked; there is no bait and switch involved. It’s because somebody thinks that something is so cool, so useful, or so helpful that they want to make little sign posts so that other people on the web can find that out.

Now, there is also the notion of link bait or things that are just cool; maybe not helpful, but really interesting. And those can stand the test of time as well. Those links are links generated because of the sheer quality of your business or the value add proposition that you have that’s unique about your business. Those are the things that no one else can get, because no one else has them or offers the exact same thing that your business offers.

For the nitty gritty and more in-depth link building techniques and ideas read the full article.

As you may or may not know, inbound links are one the main influencing factors in search engine rankings.  Getting some “link love” or “link juice” from other sites is tremendously time consuming and labor intensive.  You can hire a company to do this work for you, like Liberty Interactive Marketing, but you may find it prudent to first look in your own backyard.  Many opportunities to obtain inbound links to your site should first start with those closest to you, by simply reaching out to your customers, colleagues, etc. you may find that these folks are willing to add a link to your site from theirs. And ultimately, what is the harm in asking? They say no. So what? The advantage you have over your competition may be that you asked and they didn’t.  Either way, if you get a few links to your site, the time and effort put in is well worth it.

Here are three easy tips to get started:

1. Add a link to your thank you confirmation page or email confirmation that asks visitors to add a link to your site.

2. Make a few phone calls to colleagues, vendors, even friends and family, ask if they would be open to placing a link to your site on theirs.  Offer reciprocating link love if necessary.

3. Do some research on related services/products. Contact these companies and see what opportunities are available.

You’ve got no excuse, except if you are purposely trying to not rank well within search engines.