Building links and partnerships

Hi,

We've been running our site HipsterTravelGuide for a year now and seem to have plateaued and only have a few links coming in -- what are some of the best ways to build up the links and develop those relationships with other sites? Do blogrolls help? Is that usually a mutual exchange? Should we offer up content to other sites? Is that worth the time?
And don't even get me started on attracting ads? Who has time to write?
Thanks for any help.
Scott

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Scott Burgess on August 8, 2010 at 5:55pm

Hey Jools and Joanne,

So in honor of you adding to the discussion, I've added you both to my new blogroll (which I think is kind of fancy) and I expect I'll be adding plenty more in the future.

Scott

Permalink Reply by Jools Stone on August 8, 2010 at 6:08pm

Thanks Scott, will do likewise, keep in touch!
Jools

Permalink Reply by Joanne O'Sullivan on August 8, 2010 at 6:27pm

Thanks! Will do, too.

Permalink Reply by Robin Graham on August 28, 2010 at 5:15am

Hi Scott,

I looked at your site - it's funny! Would you like to blogroll each other? My blog is at www.alotofwind.com. Take a look and if you want to add it let me know and I'll add yours

Thanks

Permalink Reply by Scott Burgess on September 5, 2010 at 11:49am

Hi Robin,

Would love to add yours. In fact, it's already added.

Scott

Permalink Reply by Travel Blogger on September 5, 2010 at 11:23am

Hi Scott, You may want to consider making a contact method more obvious. People like me may want to contact you regarding cross promotion ideas but can't. Traditional method is by a tabbed page.

Also note that the HTML code on the small email icon you have on the site doesn't work.
Links code reads: http://www.hipstertravelguide.com/archives/scott@hipstertravelguide...
Should read: mailto:scott@hipstertravelguide.com

Permalink Reply by Scott Burgess on September 5, 2010 at 11:47am

Hi TB,

Thanks on the tips, I didn't realize the one button was out of service and should have it fixed quickly enough.

What do you mean by a tabbed page?

Scott

Permalink Reply by Travel Blogger on September 5, 2010 at 12:28pm

It is a common navigation convention on websites to have tabs along the top of the page/masthead.

You have them: Home | Around The World | Travel Mode | Humor .....

Suggest you add a "Contact" tab.

Also, from a user interface point of view the two rows of differently styled navigation tabs on your site can be confusing for users.

Permalink Reply by Jools Stone on September 5, 2010 at 12:39pm

Hi Travel Blogger - and travel bloggers, I'd be really grateful for any comments you might have on mine also please. It's a rather inflexible, free wordpress template I have unfortunately. Be brutal! :-)

http://joolsstone.wordpress.com

Permalink Reply by Joe H Wilks on October 25, 2010 at 9:57am

I would imagine mutual exchange. Why don't you try to contact the different sites and ask them about it straight up. worst comes to worse they say no. I was working with one of those discount travel vacation sites for a while, but personal blogs and indy sites will be best to get your name out there. Not to mention it will reach more of the target audience that way. Good luck, it can be tough and tedious, but keep at it.

Permalink Reply by Heidi on November 21, 2010 at 10:28pm

I've had some luck building reciprocal links by contacting website owners directly or replying to postings in which other website owners/bloggers were seeking exchanges. It's been hit and miss, sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't.
I'm fairly new to all of this, but I have to remember the progress I've made. As has been mentioned previously, it's tough to be working on SEO, writing fresh content, researching new features, etc. AND be working at your day job. I keep reminding myself that persistance and determination will pay off.

Heidi

Permalink Reply by Resort Interviews on January 24, 2012 at 3:55pm

Thats the same with us, its really hard to get new people to come to our site and post, so we tried offering a $100 prize.

If you’ve had an interesting experience during your travels then here is your opportunity to share it on this website and win a $100 prize.

Each month Resort Interviews awards a prize to the best holiday, travel, vacation, resort or hotel review submitted in our members section.

Click here become a member and submit your travel review

http://resortinterviews.ning.com/profiles/blog/list

Our January competition has a week left before we award the prize

Conditions of Entry

1) You must be the author of the review.

2) You must have visited the location.

3) If you win the prize, Resort Interviews will pay you via PayPal or direct deposit only. We will contact the winner by email at the end of the month and request a payment method.

4) The winning review will be decided by Resort Interviews and the decision is final.

5) The competition commences on 01/11/2011 and the first monthly prize will be awarded on 31/12/2011.

6) A $100 USD prize will be awarded at the end of each subsequent month.

7) The review must be about either vacation destinations, vacation activities, resorts reviews or hotel reviews.

8) The review will be judged on both written and photographic content.