Link Building Techniques & Tips. How blogging can get links to your Web site

You've built a Web page, and you are looking to attract new readers and clients. One of the best ways to do that is to attract the attention of people who already have those readers - and that means getting other bloggers to link to you.
One way to do this is to run your own blog on your own Web site. This can be a risky strategy and isn't for everyone, but if you are someone who has an engaging personality, blogging can draw attention to your site in ways few other strategies can. Just follow a few simple tips.

1. Be unique.
   Perhaps you have a unique perspective on your practice. Or perhaps you're really into baseball. Either one of these is an excellent topic for a blog post, so don't be afraid to mix these subjects up in your blog. By creating a real online personality, you build a connection with readers that will let customers know you are someone they can really connect with and trust. This can help other bloggers find you and engage in a conversation, generating links.
   
2. Engage other blogs.
   Is there someone else online with whom you strongly agree? Or, better yet, strongly disagree with? Let it be known. The controversy might make it worth talking about, helping you get links back to your own site and bringing your name up with people who may not have heard it. Keep it professional and light and you'll generate interest instead of bad press. If there's new laws, regulations or taxes that will have an impact on your practice, talk about it. Maybe people will disagree - that's OK. You're getting talked about, and you may get some free press..
   
3. Get listed.
   You can either buy ads specifically for your blog, or just get your blog listed in online directories, such as Blogarama (http://www.blogarama.com). Driving this kind of traffic to your blog means traffic for your site - which means more potential customers, higher search rankings, and more readers.
   
4. Link to others, and get linked by others.
   Some sites may not be involved directly with your practice, or cosmetic surgery, but might be interested in medical technology, reconstructive surgery, or even medical law. Touch on these subjects on your blog, find other blogs that are interested in these peripheral topics, and link to them. Then shoot them an e-mail in return - and suggest, subtly, that they might return the favor.
   
5. Use social media.
   If you're blogging, use Twitter to let people know when you've updated. Make a fan page for your blog on Facebook. Make sure your blog puts out an RSS feed so people can know when you've posted new content. All of these will generate more hits to your Web page.
   
6. Provide information.
   By creating content as a medical expert and practitioner, you are in a position to answer a lot of questions. You may think you are giving away a valuable service, but for many, it can be more beneficial to be seen as an online expert who can answer questions and provide interesting resources for others. This kind of reputation builds trust and prestige for potential clients.

Using these tips, you can safely wade into the world of blogging, and enjoy the benefits it can provide.

Executive Experience