Comments on: Asking for links the wrong way

By: Julianne Richards

Julianne Richards — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:04:15 +0000

I couldn’t agree with you more!! I even thought your email was not only well thought out, but even gentle in responding to what I felt was an attempt-no, more like a “hustle for links” strategy. Is that even a phrase? Ha. I never ask to “get a link.” Instead, I ask if I may put their link on my list of recommended blogs/sites. I say that I prefer to just “ask” first. And you know what? I usually get a friendly link exchange anyway, as well as cultivating and broadening my community of fellow artists and friends. Just a thought. Julianne http://www.colorspeaker.com

By: Katherine Tyrrell

Katherine Tyrrell — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 08:22:07 +0000

Alyson – that’s a very generous and tactful response. If I get an email from somebody who’s apparently behaving in an ignorant fashion then I might well write to them. Otherwise, I’m with Barbara – I mark it as spam (to help with the spam filters) and move on quickly. I think you’ve highlighted really clearly in your written response the sorts of issues to think about when responding to people who spam. I agree, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with adding links to websites or blogs which are commercial, however IMO they must earn respect and ‘street cred’ first – and that really only comes with time. Too many people want to skip this bit and go for the ‘jump start’! I added my link to ArtBiz Blog because I liked what I read over a period of time – and not because anybody asked me to. I’ve tried to provide some signposts for people like this. I’ve got a blogroll policy (re links) which is very clearly marked (in the “For Your Information” section of my side column). It starts, in a rather direct fashion. “I don’t swop links – period. Don’t ask.”. I did have it lower and said it more politely but I found it worked a lot better said simply and at the top! I then reiterate the same point in my notes on blogging etiquette in the same section. For those who do want to get news out, I prefer an approach which announces the site and asks if you’d start reading it, or keep it under review – and no more. That’s a much better way of getting my attention – and one which doesn’t get marked up as spam.

By: Barbara J Carter

Barbara J Carter — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:52:59 +0000

I just got something like that from a “fellow artist”. Asking me to check out their site, etc. But not addressed to me by name. Whoops! Into the spam pile it went. Your response is very kind and helpful. I won’t go to the trouble. I just tag ‘em as spammers and move on.