I’m here at SES Toronto. It’s been a crazy last few weeks, with SMX Advanced, then Internet Retailer, and now SES Toronto. I came in late to the session “Beyond Linkbait: Getting Authoritative Online Mentions”, so I only have notes from Jim Hedger‘s presentation. Here are Jim’s main takeaways:

  • The fastest path to prominence is to create something of value every day
  • Get involved in conversations
  • The internet is a conversational medium
  • Create informative content (audio, video, text, whatever)
  • Give insights about your industry
  • Offer your own techniques, tactics and forecasts
  • Review software or products your readers might find useful
  • Give others something to reference or link to
  • Get involved in conversations
  • Create informative content
  • Participate in community forums like SEW, Cre8asite, WebmasterWorld, Digital Point, IHelpYou, etc.
  • Do nice things. Acts of kindness go a long way in this community. e.g. Search Engine Journal’s SEM Essay Prize Pack, Metamend’s Hockey Tournaments for the Food Bank, SEOmoz’s free passes to SMX events, MarketingPilgrim’s SEO/SEM Education Scholarships
  • The Internet is a collective memory. Which is good because otherwise nobody would remember exactly what happened at the infamous Internet Marketers of New York / Best of the Web charity parties.
  • Be of good value. It’s really hard work, but it helps you stand out in the crowd.
  • Start early. repeat frequently.
  • On authoritative sources, journalists and bloggers: Be a pal. Be a source.
  • Remember a few vital rules…
    • #1: Never tell a journalist or blogger something you don’t want everyone else on Earth to know
    • #2: Keep it simple. The media has a dozen different story options to choose from every day. each story is extremely complicated. Help writers get it right.
    • #3: Know your audience. Learn the interests and passions of favored writers. Pitch stories to writers who might be interested. Avoid annoying writers with uninteresting stories.
  • Always be honest. Every writer has heard his or her share of big fish stories. Writers might research your cliam.
  • Things not to do:
    • Don’t make up fake news stories
    • Don’t assume entitlement. You don’t get links because you are you. You have to work for it.
    • Don’t spam writers.
    • Don’t forget to say thanks