I began using link exchanges a few years ago to help promote my online business because I did not have any money and from what I read-it sounded like a good thing to do. Little did I know what I was getting into....As my website traffic and search engine rankings grew, I realized I had stumbled onto something quite significant.

When you start building links, you wonder if it is worth it; trust me it is!

In the beginning, I spent hours and hours searching the web for websites to link with. There was not the many tools, services, and directories there are today. Well, now I get emails daily asking me for links...I haven't been looking for links in a long time. This is what I try to tell folks, once you get established, links will come looking for you.

Now I can't claim that I discovered link exchanges or even perfected the technique, (I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express once) but my goal here at Linking101 has been and will be to help other webmasters, to better understand and optimize their link exchanges.

In addition to the obvious reasons to link building, traffic, search engine rankings, link popularity, promotions, I want to talk about a side of linking, most folks do not ever mention, the "personal" side of link exchanges.

Link exchanges have been a fantastic way for me to meet new folks and create new and profitable business associations with webmasters around the world. Because of link exchanges, I have

• met a lot of great webmasters
• reviewed a number of resources such as ebooks, software, services
• learned a ton about the Internet and website promotional issues

that I would not have otherwise! I am definitely a better person for it.

It is neat to be online and work with webmasters from all over the USA, UK, Australia, Mauritius, Europe, and New Zealand, just to name a few.

When you create a link exchange, in addition to linking to a website, you are linking to a person (the webmaster)--that is why cold, impersonal, automated link exchange requests usually go unanswered. Link exchanging is networking at its best and is something that has to be done in person (via email or phone). I keep all my link partners names and emails so I can contact them at anytime with important updates or to ask for help.

So why should you care about link building or why do I like linking?

It is the people behind the links. You never know who you are going to meet or what doors it might open for you in the future.

-Larry Sullivan
Linking101.com

Larry is the owner and webmaster behind Linking101, is a website dedicated to assisting webmasters find information, resources, and a better understanding on the power link popularity and link exchanges wield. Linking101.com has a free opt-in newsletter, product reviews, articles, and its own unique custom link products to help give you the edge you need.

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