10 Rules For Creating Killer Link Posts

People read your blog for your insight. So, when you write a link post you are denying them their main motivation for  reading your blog. YOU. Some readers understand that a link post in many respects is a filler post, used when you either don’t have time to put something together, don’t have anything to write about, or just not feeling quite yourself.

That doesn’t mean you should just slap some links on a page and publish. Think about it from your readers perspective. They are taking time out of their day to read your blog. Be appreciative of the time they spend reading your content. Create something that will fulfill their motivation for reading your blog. You are after all denying them your insight.

When you publish a link post, your readers will view it in one of three ways. First, they could look at it and say you are being lazy. Second, they may look at it and feel as if it is blatant self promotion or spammy promotion of others. Or, third, if the post is put together properly they will look at it as a fantastic resource and really appreciate the hard work you put into its writing.

It does not take much brain power to put together a link post. But, it does take time to put together a really good one that your readers will think of as being a true resource.

To write a top notch link post you need to look at the finished product from your readers perspective. Here are 10 rules to follow to help you create a link post that your readers will find interesting and useful.

1. First and for most, and above all else, the posts you include, in your link post, should be of top notch content. They don’t have to be Pulitzer caliber but they should be well written and give good insight.
2. Don’t include a post that has been flying around the blogospher and promoted by every other blogger. Unless the post just has some overwhelming insight or news don’t include it in your list. If you have seen it 20 times in your RSS or it went even mildly viral, then it is more than likely that your readers have already been over exposed to it. Save it for another link post you are planning a month or so out. Maybe a themed link post. And, that brings us to our next suggestion.
3. Do you use themes to build your link posts? I have found that the most satisfying link posts, for me as a reader, are those that are developed with a theme in mind. When a series of posts are grouped together that outline different aspects of a topic with different views it can be a really great resource.
4. Avoid over-exposing your readers to any one blogger. If you have included a particular author in several link posts your readers probably got the message and subscribed to the blog. If you build link posts on a consistent basis your job is to find new and interesting content that your readers will like and be able to use. Promoting another blogger is ok and always appreciated but don’t spam your readers.
5. Expand your outlook to expand your readers horizons. Find unique undervalued posts by bloggers that are good but just have not been noticed yet. If you follow the first rule you can’t loose. You expose your readers to a great new blogger and you helped someone out by promoting their work. I am sure the favor will be returned at some point.
6. Editorialize your link posts. Theoretically, you have already read the articles that you are including in your link post. So, giving a brief summary should not be difficult. Give your readers some insight on why you think the article you are recommending them to read is so great. Maybe some insight on the author. Tell them why you have included it in the list. Not only should you editorialize the entries of your link post but you should also give a brief intro to the list itself. This is much easier to do when the list is themed. But, even though it is a link post you still need to pull your reader into your writing.
7. Limit the number of links or entries. Link posts should be about telling other people about great content. The greater the number of entries in a link post the less each entry is valued as a whole.
8. If you do publish a link post with a large number of entries, categorize the entries. By categorizing large link posts, over 10 or 15 entries, you break up the list and make it more digestible by the reader. They will be able to more readily pick and choose what they want to read. They won’t feel overwhelmed.
9. Have several in rough draft format. Think ahead. Good link posts take time to put together. If you have done most of the ground work ahead of time then the editorializing should not be that hard and should not take that much time. Having one or two link posts in the wings are great when you are in a pinch for time.
10. Make it look as if you at least put a minimum amount of effort into it. I see it all the time, a blogger titles the post "Later Going Out Of Town Here’s Some Reading" and just slaps a few links on the page and nothing else. Your reader made the effort to read your blog. So, you should make an effort to respond to their effort and give them a reason to keep coming back.

The next time you go to write that Friday Link Post, you know before you leave to have a beer by the pool, think about your readers. Give them something real to chew on while they are stuck in the office. Don’t disappoint your readers by publishing lack luster and nearly meaningless link posts. Follow these 10 rules and you are virtually guaranteed to build link posts that will knock them dead.

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