Digg is for Dweebs: Free Link Bait Ideas

Aaron,

You're doing a really excellent job here with these link bait suggestions...if only I could also get my brain into gear and think laterally.

I'm looking for link bait suggestions. I'm the webmaster for a company that sells Electronic Medical Records (sometimes known as Electronic Health Records)...basically medical software for physicians - the stuff that is going to put the medical records of everyone in the US off paper and onto computers in the next 10 years (supposedly).

Most of the links we have/try to get are in this field of medical software (experts, directories, forums, partners etc) - now I realise we should be trying to get links from physicians themselves and the general public. Mainly physicians, because that could also spawn useful traffic aswell as a link.

Any ideas for some linkbait to help us to do that...it would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks,

Alan

Loans
the 25 dumbest loans, ever
(think boo.com etc)

a calculator for what % of your life (and what % of your work) you will be done stuck working for others to pay off interest

modular homes
x coolest buildings built on other buildings

Halloween Costumes

find out what cartoon characters or other costumes some star bloggers have mentioned in the past...see if they would be interested in a free no obligation costume.

tons of ideas here
del.icio.us/search/?setcount=25&all=halloween
slightly modify them or mix em up, etc.

sporting goods and game room products

peppered - a flash game where you are hunting with Dick Cheney (think someone already did it though)

25 worst sports accidents ever

I can't really give away my best gaming idea because I want to launch that myself.

Electronic Health Records
You deal in something like Dragon, eh?...

how about

one handed man sets speed typing record

funniest medical transcription blunders ever

speech recognition that understands you better than humans

My blog is all about managing software development - would love to hear your ideas for linkbait...

I have a topic I could use some linkbait on: laboratory vacuum pumps. I have been pretty fortunate with other sites in developing possible topics for linkbait, but haven't come up with anything worthwhile on this subject; any ideas?

Thanks for the interesting suggestions Aaron.

We don't sell Dragon or voice recognition, but instead the software and database that holds the patient records (so you could use Dragon to dictate into our software, or type, or handwriting recognition on a tablet PC etc...). It is usually called EMR or EHR software, and is moving towards a 'national electronic health record'.

Now, this brings up lots of negative connotations with it. I'm sure we could also write a great piece on the privacy/big brother side of the issue that could get lots of citations...but would that be a good idea...is it ever a good idea to write about something that could effect your sales badly but at the same time gets you loads of links? Or is there an intelligent middle way?

I really like the funniest medical transcription blunders ever idea though. Great stuff. I'm looking into it already :)

Thanks again.

How about "thai girls"?

I think the general rule when it comes to linkbait is to think of something that you would send to both your best friend and your Mom/Dad. It's a really simple test and usually produces good results.

For example with trains...

"make a funny video of the train doing something with terrorism and it destroying stuff...Team America style maybe?"

Doesn't pass the test. But...

"Learn how to drive a locomotive" -or- "Scenic Train Trips" are stuff you can send to your best friend and/or Mom.

I have a two sites and need your help:

Drinking game site

A Daily Funny Video post site

Any ideas for a Wedding Videography Site ?

Aaron - another informative post by you.
How about real estate - especially with so many out in cyber space?

Brilliant post. Hey you should try out this SEO think.

I think you would be good at it.

lol

Horse Trailers or RV/Campers?

10 things you never thought you could do in a RV/Camper

101 things not to do in a RV/Camper

Pictures of famous/infamous horsemen/women - Dick Turpin, Lady Godiva, etc. - next to a Horse trailer with witty caption (Dick Turpin - "Don't get hung up about choosing a horse trailer" - he was hanged)

Hey Aaron, how can I make the subject of local search marketing visible to the local business person. Even PPC is falling on deaf ears (and blind eyes)!!

You rock for all of this free advice (love the book too, by the way).

We retail men's underwear, t-shirts, skin care, and other accessories. Ideas?

Thanks!

laboratory vacuum pumps

I think my mind is too humor or gutter focused at the moment to come up with something good on that topic. Sorry on that :(

Can anyone else come up with a good idea on this one?

privacy/big brother side of the issue that could get lots of citations...but would that be a good idea...is it ever a good idea to write about something that could effect your sales badly but at the same time gets you loads of links?

I think it depends on your overall brand strategy, etc... but if you are the first person willing to talk credibly on the topic then that might give you big advantages with the mainstream media, etc. But it is all about planning ahead of time on how you would want to react to stuff.

your best friend and your Mom/Dad
Hi Jeff
Totally agree with that one (for some people). I probably am a bit more liberal than most with what I am willing to do for an HTML link. ;)

My point with the examples is also hopefully to give people a wide range of ideas...to help people think laterally instead of just being so focused on the core product. Did you watch Team America? ;)

Drinking game site & A Daily Funny Video post site
To me, those sorta already sound like the types of ideas that spread viral if they are good. Maybe you just need to combine those ideas and make a bit of content.

real estate
Compare real estate to other forms of investment on an ROI basis...vs stocks bonds etc etc etc

So many local ideas... I think it just depends on where you are. If your site is on limited authority I think you are best off going after one or a few markets at a time then expanding out.

An interactive map of real estate bubbles and bursts - nationwide and region-wide...would be hard, but if it was done well it would be amazing.

Create something similar to blogshares.com, but with real estate...where people can sorta play fantasy monopoly with the real world, etc...again would not be easy, but if it was done well...

I run a site about legal nurse consulting (nurses that assist attorneys in med-mal cases). Any ideas?

One idea is to create localized link bait such as listing of all Alternative energy grants for NYS.

You can then do an essay for each state, country, continent.

Imho make it fun and valuable, so a person walking off the street would understand it.

Link bait = valuable content

Aaron ..... we're a "medical alert" company providing 24/7 help in case of emergency. You know the ones "I've fallen, can't get up" buttons.

We already have an article on how to choose the right alert company for seniors. What else would you suggest for link bait?

Note ... target market is very sensitive. Can't use too much hype or false info.

Thank you.

Our engagement rings, and wedding rings site needs link bait. I could use

local search marketing visible to the local business person

This isn't really a linkbait idea, but the guy who runs MyTown.com (where my town is the town I live in) does over a million a year in ad sales on that site.

Off the start you can sorta duplicate the yellow pages but add a bit more information, allow users to rate businesses, etc. After you build up the exposure for the site remove listings that do not pay for the exposure, or leave their businesses toward the bottom of the page and unlinked.

Of course, to create a strong local presense it can take years. The guy where I live even bought a HUGE inflatable blimp to tie to his car while he attended some of the football games.

We retail men's underwear, t-shirts, skin care, and other accessories. Ideas?

Undergoos and national underwear day both come to mind, but have both already been done.

Maybe create fake fragrances or something that smell like computers and stuff like that?

Create a package specifically for geeks or bloggers? Maybe tie it in with some get in shape program or something?

Men who wear (underwear type) are x % more likely to (be impotent or get certain type of cancer)

the ultimate guide to buying comfy underwear (size, material, boxers vs briefs) etc

also I am sure there are certain easy promotional angles around targeting the gay community with your marketing message...depending on what your going for, etc.

where people are in outcasted groups that are routinely picked on by the media and other power sources they are probably more likely to convert than say the average person...especially if you craft your marketing message to one group like that (but maybe that is another site and another brand if it doesn't fit your current brand)

legal nurse consulting

lawyer nearly has heart attack, in court nurse saves his job (and life)

that wasn't probably too good of one there, but that topic is a bit out there for me, plus I have been up for over a day straight at this point.

I have a webmaster marketplace, similar to SitePoint's and DigitalPoint's marketplace forums. I created a calculator to estimate the value of the website (in Ajax of course) is that link baitie enough? I call it the Tidgulator, http://tidget.com/tidgulator.php. Any other ideas for link bait?

I have a billiard/pool site and am trying to come up with something bait-wortht...

I have a bracelet + wrist watch site.. This kinda goes with the guy doing wedding rings, what do you guys think? Thanks a bunch, Derek.

Thanks, Aaron! Excellent ideas. :)

What about linkbait for a weight loss site? I run an online weight loss program and diet pill review site.

Aaron,

Perhaps you could provide some insight into a couple of topics:
golf, more specifically an 11 hole golf course
and work out wear for men and women.

Thanks in adavnce,

Joey

I am going to be promoting a Security company soon, one heavy on K9, guard dogs, VIP protections etc. as well as traditional patrol, guard duties very shortly. I want to do some decent linkbaiting with them, since they only have a few links into their site.

What would you recommend for such a site?

Any interesting ideas for a site on global warming solutions - that hasn't already been done?

>>How about real estate - especially with so many out in cyber space?

One of the best ways to get big attention is to provide information that appears to be against your own self interest. Insider secrets and such.

For example, in real estate, I would teach people, step-by-step, everything they need to know about selling their own house. A Realtor who does this will likely get tons of links from all over the blogosphere and even local old media PR.

Why do this? Fact is that something like 80% of all FSBOs will give up after a short period of time when the house doesn't sell (no matter how well-educated on home selling they now are), and list with a Realtor.

Who do you think they'll call?

Hey, Aaron! Any thoughts for a map-based lost and found site? It's like a Craiglist Lost & Found/Google Maps mashup. Mostly focuses on pets though.

Thanks, Mike

Brian Clark - your comments with regards to Real Estate and FSBO's are very correct. my Father-In-Law is a real estate agent, and he has used exactly that tactic to acquire a large number of new clients.

I'll vouch for that idea!

Good post! I just took my team out to lunch the other day to brainstorm some cool ideas for link bait for the prepaid phone card industry. We came up with a few. Got any you can think of?

What's a "meme tracker"?

Hehe... this post is going to keep you busy for a while, eh?

I've got a couple:
1) digital photography (something for PhotographyCorner.com)
2) Sports News - linkbait for a new sports news site

Great idea, btw. :)

Hi Aaron, thanks for the oppurtunity.

Can you think of a good link bait for my topic?
Topic: Lawn Care

And how about link bait for a sport, like Wakeboarding?

Gabe, funny. :)

Aaron,
Thanks for the recent 101 list, that really gave me a long list of link bait ideas for my new website about wedding planning. I wrote to Andy the other day to personally thank him and wish him good luck with his link baiting services and I really should thank you as well.
Brian,
You've offered some great suggestions so far which I'm sure will spark some ideas in the minds of both the people whose questions you have answered and others reading the comments.

For those people who have asked for link bait about jewelry and engagement rings, my suggestion - you could maybe write an article about the diamond trade, focusing on conflict diamonds and the people that are affected by the illegal diamond trade. You could ask "Are diamonds a girls best friend?" and take a look at the lives of some girls/young women in countries like sierra leonne and liberia. You could maybe then expose some of the flaws in the current system of diamond regulation. That could make for a political link bait. Alternatively, how about top 10 celebrity jewelry mistakes - showing the jewelry fashion errors of celebrities. Just a couple of thoughts that sprung to mind.

Now if I may take advantage of this generous offer...
I'm about to launch a new website on wedding planning, covering more or less everything from engagement to honeymoon.
While I'm already working on link baits to attract wedding bloggers (for example lists and guides about cutting costs, budgeting, product reviews, and a few of the other ways to build links and authority mentioned in the 101 guide) I'm struggling to think of a way to make link bait that would appeal to us nerds out there and would help get on the front page of sites like digg that don't involve video game theme wedding cakes (as that has already been done). Any help you could offer would be greatly appreciated.

Hack That Wedding: 21 Ways to Plan a Kick Ass Wedding and Get Back to Stuff That Matters (Like Digg and Slashdot)

:)

I agree, "related stories that people would be interested in sharing".

Aaron:

I guess the part I am missing is where to dangle the bait.

I recently wrote a provocative piece on the urgent need to Outlaw 2.4 GHz Cordless Phones. I didn't actually write it for link bait. The inspiration was the sudden realization that the cause of a month and a half of intermittent WiFi agony was caused by another device on my desk.

Once the post was finished, it occured to me that this piece was topical, opinionated, and informative enough to stir up some discussion.

So, any suggestions on how to dangle the bait if your blog doesn't get thousands of other bloggers reading what you have to say?

Our engagement rings, and wedding rings site needs link bait. I could use

How about
x most romantic (or funniest) proposals ever
y most romantic celebrity weddings
z worst wedding mishaps

I know I'm new here, but I had a couple thoughts:

Modular Homes
Superimpose images of modular homes on images of shattered buildings in New Orleans.

before anybody gets all up in arms, I live in the New Orleans area

It's topical, interesting, and potentially leads to sales which help real people too! This would probably be good for some local (NOLA) and national airtime if played right.

-- Please visit and blog about buylocalbuynola.org --
100% free, volunteer, non-profit New Orleans Business Directory

Medical Records
101 Unnecessary Medical Horrors (if only the charts were up to date)

Aaron
How about online backup? Ideas?

I'm really glad I started reading your blog btw.

Cheers,
Will

A topic related to acne would be nice... I am pretty sure this one would be easy but I lack in the imaginative skills you suggest.

The fact that it affects millions of people worldwide is a good indication that most can relate.

A topic related to acne would be nice.

How about worst celebrity acne photos.

Lawn Care is easy: 25-50 ways to winterize your lawn/prepare it for winter.

If you felt like it do one for each season and have those ready for when that season is coming.

Online backup - consumer or business? Either way a list of 50 ways (25 for each) why it would be valuable for either would make sense.

Hi Aaron.

I'm quite amazed at what you're doing here. Most generous etc.

Anyway - I recently put together a blog/site for a friend who does Hypnotherapy and NLP Training. She helped me out when I was... err... losing my mind many years ago (hey, it could happen to anyone)

Anyway, any suggestions? For her site I mean?

Nick

[quote]Lawn Care is easy: 25-50 ways to winterize your lawn/prepare it for winter.

If you felt like it do one for each season and have those ready for when that season is coming.

Online backup - consumer or business? Either way a list of 50 ways (25 for each) why it would be valuable for either would make sense.[/quote]

Yeah that's an easy solution, that's why it's not really a solution. Many sites already have such lists, including mine :)

ps the tab index on the comment form is broken, when I tab to the comment textarea I'm taken to the top of the page.

Hi

What are some interesting linkbait ideas for a IT jobs site .http://www.itjobfeed.com .

Thanks
Tom

How about for a sash window company?

Cheers

Great read,
Aaron, it's awesome the great talent you have writing, also your link bait ideas are so good!.

I have a webmaster forum, i was thinking in making nice css free templates, what else could you suggest?.
Thanks in advance!
Gaston

How about wedding favors? I'm terrible at coming up with stuff like this; I swear I put my brain to it weekly but nothing much comes out.

Aaron,

Great name and blog. I just found it but am already loving it. Other blogs just don't get to the point like you do.

My blog is about:
Learning Foreign Languages and Culture

Any Ideas?

The purpose of the blog:

Good intentions are not enough. We need business models that are financially, institutionally and technically viable, based on evidence, and provide incentives to encourage biodiversity conservation.

Any ideas?

I have a celebrities news website.

I'm thinking at some link bait. I have some ideas but nothing great.

Paris Hilton is the most searched celebrity but how to do a link bait for reddit/digg guys. And btw I have a site banned from Digg.. is there a how to be unbanned from Digg? :)

Very impressed by your lateral thinking.

Mind mapping or concept mapping. Any ideas for those?

"100 best music blogs...pick them based on how popular they are" Isn't that actually wrong? And at least somewhat incorrect?

My topic is handbags. That could be tough for you. :-P So far all I have is popular bags/designers and of course spotting fakes on eBay/anything counterfeit bags. I have another of those slated for Thursday.

Oh there's also the ugly bags topic. People love ugly things for some reason.

I don't want to give you ideas, but I want to show you how I might have failed in not coming up with the BEST for link bait. On the other hand, this comment might give me ideas when I think more.

Nothing I write is really incredibly link-baity, though, but my scoop of a website to register property in case stolen was unique relating to handbags and got a COUPLE links.

I'm in the sandbox, soooo .. it's tough.

Hey, I have site about Digital Cameras.

I got there some lists like :
Top 10 cameras of August - but they don't bring me much traffic

Any ides ??

Good stuff! Great jon on getting #1 ranking on google and yahoo.

Fantastic subject and great ideas.

We have lots of ideas now for our outdoor games sites, but have you got any we could add?

logo design
Design logos for non-profits for free.

Offer a popular blogger with an ugly design a free logo. Try many times over. Be polite with each request though.

webmaster marketplace

Tools work great. Especially ones that place arbitrary prices on the commodities or goods being bartered.

If you are aiming to promote outsourcing of services then consider doing something like "The top 10 web designs you never knew were done in India." or something like that...but better maybe. Stronger title, etc.

golf course
If it is for competitive golfers:
A Tiger Woods double bogie?

If it is for leasure golfers:
10 most famous golf cart trips ever.

for geeks:
some sort of contraption or technical device which improves your game by 15 strokes :)

Also tons of other ideas here, like have an idiot playing with left handed rental clubs, or Rumor: Happy Gillmore 2: Who Will Adam Sandler beat up this time?

Security company soon, one heavy on K9, guard dogs, VIP protections

Funny video clips of dogs owning potential burglers.

prepaid phone card industry

a "research" article about how bad AT&T and other phone companies rip off their customers.

What's a "meme tracker"?
Something that tracks how ideas spread.

digital photography
So many types of pictures you can take and so many tricks you can do with a camera.

Explain how to do any of those in x easy steps.

Sports News
New: a steroid Barry Bonds would be envious of!

Lawn Care
cut a firefox logo into the lawn...or something like that...I think someone did something like that with a crop circle and it was a big hit

Wakeboarding?
a video with lots of funny wipe outs in it

online backup
create a firefox extension

provide the backup service free to blogs

Hypnotherapy and NLP Training

I do not know enough about those fields, but anything with cool pictures or flash stuff in it about how the mind works ... especially how specific emotions work, or dealing with interacting with programming or videogames should be able to spread well

Mind mapping or concept mapping
maybe compare some of the online idea mapping things...like the digg visualization stuff, relate datapoints from different data services, etc. people have created visualization stuff with amazon products as well.

also maybe something similar to the ideas for the NLP type stuff?

sash window company
bit of a reach, but create a few custom windows that have stuff like Digg, Firefox, Apple, Google, and Yahoo on them

wedding favors
weddings was sorta covered above by someone else I think

Learning Foreign Languages and Culture
Do the french actually use showers?

other myths etc...especially where stuff is really stereotypical or taboo in one culture and normal in another

Paris Hilton
is a genius...here's why

outdoor games
not sure what all games you are talking, but I am a big fan of a dog that can catch anything .... like a football in mid air 50 yards downfield.

biodiversity conservation
I think you have to make people want to care about the issue first, so you have to make it easy for them to visualize the problem... like my McDonalds french fry example... you keep layering various ideas like that on each other, launching them one at a time (maybe even as specific moves branded against certain corps.) start causing a big stink and maybe the media will still give you coverage.

but the key if you want to change established value systems is that you cant just tell. you have to SHOW the typically hidden pictures. make people want to experience and express the emotions you feel.

Our site is about online coupons,Would you give me some precious advice? Thanks in advance!

Any ideas for Horse Trailers or RV/Campers? I've got some ideas, but I don't think they'd have enough draw for the typical person.

Thanks!

Coupons
covered here

horse trailers
something with Mr. Ed :)

I may not respond to any more comments on the post because I have lots of other things to do and I recently threw my back out. Hope some of the ideas helped some of you!
Cheers
Aaron

Hi there, this is an appeal to the god of seo, please provide me with inspiration. I read your book, as part of my internship with a currency trading company. Do you have any ideas for simple investment tools (besides a currency converter) that people can adopt for their site, and will link back to us?

Hi Aaron,

I would feel privileged if u could give a couple of ideas on Muscle Building.

Thanks a lot for ur greatly helpful tips.

How about science fair projects?

I have an articles directory and I start making php scripts for webmasters, I think one of them is really unique, and other webmasters ask me for that script, but after some promotion and press releases I can't get it to work, who want to show fresh articles in their sites for free? I think the idea is really good.

Hello
Aron thanks for such a great post again. I have Automotive related website (Automotive forums,News,Articles,Reviews) I am looking for a killer idea that will possibly make to homepage of Digg. I would really appriciate if anybody can help me with that. Any topic which i should post about. Any great ideas please help thanks :)

I need a link bait idea for a homemade baby food website! Help!

Hi

What about the advertising industry, I have thought of a few, but a few more ideas wont hurt. It can be the advertising industry as a whole or any single advertising medium related topic.

Ok I have an idea for linkbait, it will be titled

The reasons why nerds/ internet junkies/bloggers/internet marketers never want to outsource. I'm going to design an elaborate process map detailing all the steps involved with some humour in there and then on part of the map it shows contacting my company and all the steps removed.

My question is this what do I have in place so i can get the most ammount of exposure and mileage for this? I'm not totally up to speed with digg delicious etc

thanks for your help

i would love your advice for link bait for a moped scooter store. also, any thoughts on how to get the link bait out there and the ball rolling? thank you so much!

Yea nothing is more annoying when you cant see the wood through the trees on the campaign that you are on.

Relax, kick back go for a walk then get back to it. Some times I am running back to the desk top to put down an idea

Hi,

Do you got any tips on link bait articles on electric guitars and guitar related gear?

Thanks & regards
Leif B

Very interesting post. As always, good quality and original content is the best. People want good stories that are well researched and interesting. People also like stuff that is topical. If you write this sort of content, you can't go far wrong.

Aaron,

I have a online rental site where visitors and see and post rental homes.

I am working a link bait tool right now for my site, but I am always looking for ideas. Sometimes when you are too close to something you can't be as creative.

Thanks, Dave

I could use a good linkbait topic for either personal finance or online auction topics.

Dave, go deep and strong:

7 Ways Your Landlord Will Screw You and Steal Your Money

Make it an in-depth tutorial, and offer it up in web and pdf formats. Make a video if you can.

That'll work.

Hi Dave
so many options related to
region / local based linkbait, or
industry or event or celebrity or travel specific stuff

anything to do with taboo stuff like nude beaches

and the specific concerns associated with a rental or similar arrangement, like 20 timeshare scams to avoid like the plague

doing things like integrating Google maps and consumer reviews would also add value (and thus linkability) to whatever listing site you are trying to promote

Ed
Online auction...depends on the audience, but

25 Dumbest Items Ever Sold on eBay
(grill cheese sandwich, I think girl getting her head tattooed, etc.)

personal finance is a bit broad...could really list about 1,000+ examples for that

How about music? I was thinking about those "Best 100 Rock Songs Ever" but I guess that list has been made loots of times.

I have an investing blog where I provide commentary on the latest economic news and discuss my favorite stocks.

Thanks,
Shawn

I have two topics vacation rentals, and dog litter boxes, any ideas? I appreciate it! Thanks

Music

100 best indie rock songs of all time...make it look legitimate and authoritative. then go out and contact all the fan blogs related to the top few bands.

another option = 100 best music blogs...pick them based on how popular they are...give them a badge they can put on their site linking to your article

make some sort of mashup song with George Bush sounding like an asshat.

Investing

Why the US Dollar is only worth 23 cents

12 CEOs who actually buy their company's stock
(subtitle: and why you should too!)

Dog Litter Boxes

here I would probably focus on the more general theme of Dogs, but...

if you made a tutorial on pody training a dog (complete with picture of dog with a diaper on) it could probably go places. I also would get pictures of different signs around the world that either mean no dogs or no dog pooping allowed. if you could accumulate enough of those signs that could make for something pretty funny methinks.

Vacation Rentals
mentioned in earlier comments

I have an ad system for forums and user-generated content.

Hi John
Linkbait is typically about trying to get a few decent quality links, but for an ad network to take off you need it to be an exceptional viral success. Here are a few ideas for the initial awareness stuff, but ultimately payout levels and a strong aff program are likely to be key.

Create a list of embarrassing ads from competing ad networks (30 most embarrassing AdSense ads, etc.). talk about how your ads will never do that (and how much more people can make with them on average)

Commission a star blogger to pimp your ad network.

Brand your ad concept as being exclusively for bloggers (and by / from a blogger)...then after you get some testing done later upgrade it to include forums, etc.

Create plugins for popular CMS like Wordpress

Superb post!
Any ideas on linkbait for a Classified Ads site for used children's clothes, toys and perambulators. Thanks in advance!

How about cell phones? Any link bait ideas for that sort of blog?

hello ,
Can anybody plz give me an idea for link bait... I am running a logo designing website

Travel, airplane tickets, hotel stays? Probably a lot of obvious choices, but would like your take on it. The primary focus is city weekend getaways.

Hi Aaron,

I have a plus size fashion related website where I provide fashion related news, articles, tips and store reviews to my site visitors; the website also features a blog. I have been wanting to cook up some linkbait, but none of the ideas I thought of had real linkbait potential. Any ideas?

Thankxx!

Sarah

Hello Aaron,

First off all great blog again!
I am running a free photo sharing service(also revenue sharing) maybe useful for the link bait, you can geotag the photos.
Any good ideas?

Thanks in advance!

Prague and accommodation in Prague.
The bigest problem is not link bait but audience. People are interested in only few weeks until come to Prague. Then gone.

I run an info site about professional degrees. I considered digging around Uni sites for some obscure advice but could only come up with "10 things you don’t need for an online degree". Some bait would be magic.

model trains?

"Tell me your topic in the comments of this post and I will reply with one or two ideas."

Hello and thank you. My topic is: "c.h.e.c.k. g.u.a.r.a.n.t.e.e." and "n.o. c.r.e.d.i.t. c.h.e.c.k. a.l.t.e.r.n.a.t.i.v.e. p.a.y.m.e.n.t. p.l.a.n."

Since this isn't a private message, I prefer the search engines not pick-up on this question. Hope you understand. :)

I really look forward to your forthcoming "ideas!"

these are all just really fast, but they are examples of the mindset of a link baiter

How about cell phones? Any link bait ideas for that sort of blog?

Irrefutable evidence cell phones cause brain cancer

(that's not for everyone obviously...you need to debate the value added by the shock horror angle)

logo designing

design logos of what logos should like... make politician slogan logos painfully honest or make blogger logos that really pick on the bloggers.

create an amazing free how to guide for creating logos... 12 steps to a sharp logo in under an hour, guaranteed, etc....

the 25 most embarrassing corporate logos
(and how you can learn from their mistakes)

Travel, airplane tickets, hotel stays? Probably a lot of obvious choices, but would like your take on it. The primary focus is city weekend getaways.

25 scariest plane flights ever

the 10 most remote islands you never heard of
(subtitle: why should your dream getaway only exist in your dreams?)

plus size
the 10 most beautiful women over 200 pounds

the 8 most beautiful plus size dresses of 2006

x easy ways to fit in that old dress

(please note that fashion is not my category on any level and I weigh more than that, so I am not trying to tease anyone on weight issues...not sure if that would be too crass or insensitive to mention weight numbers or not? I am like 225 though) :)

free photo sharing service
x ways to take a professional photo
y ways to make your portrait stand out online and off
z ways to take cute kitten pictures
the n cutest cats in the world
etc etc etc

Prague
It is hard for me to give real specific local advice without knowing the region. Why would people want to go to Prague? What is unique and comment worthy about that town? How can you relate it to geeks / internet people / people interested in Prague?

The fact that people come and go is actually a good thing. It means there is a market of many affluent people with money to spend looking for something to do.

professional degrees
101 things you won't miss by getting your degree online
(puking, fist fights, stinky roommate, door rooms, etc.)

Aaron and Bill: thanks for those ideas! It always amazes me that i can offer creative ideas to others but i fall short for my own sites.

Dave

Try the 10 useless/worst things made famous by advertising.

Steve

Hi, Aaron, Brian,

great blog, interesting topic.

let me ask a reverse question - I plan on quitting the established position in a company and going to Asia for a year. Travel and exploration purposes.

Is that topic "linkbaitable" enough?

If you (or other visitors of this blog) have any extended thoughts, I'd be happy if you could post them on cringel.com.

Thank you,
Marius

Great post, very generous offer to respond to comments. What a terrific way to connect with your community and build value within a post.

What about linkbait for a:
Reseller of Refurbished Cisco Networking Gear

Thanks!

Linkbait ideas please - I own a Company that sells very high quality down comforters, pillows and featherbeds that are made from the finest White Goose Down. Our brand is QualityRest (down comforters) and SnuggleSoft (down pillows) and our logo is of a Goose with it's rear-end in the air or, as we like to say, 'Goose Down'. Would something as simple and unique as our 'Goose Down' logo be a good linkbait idea? See...we could use some help with other ideas.

How about the Loans industry?

routers

Obviously if you did it in the wrong context it could come out wrong, but maybe something like

New Cisco Equipment Most Unreliable Product in Years

Company x (or the government) wastes over $x,000,000 a year replacing Cisco gear

those are the shock horror angle

then you would have the more longterm angles

$x00,000,000 in computers thrown in landfills each year

or

Americans threw away 431,243,143 computers last year!

or (as a credibility builder, and this would have to be sold to the target audience rather than mass audience)

make a guide on weather or not buying used is right, what to consider, etc.

down comforters, pillows and featherbeds
101 ways to deep sleep

What is in your pillow could kill you!
(talk about toxins and alergic stuff in some pillows)

traveling Asia
the linkability depends on the person as much as the idea...ie: how well can you connect with people, etc.

I know www.chinawhite.net was interesting whenever Shak wrote it.

model trains?
make a funny video of the train doing something with terrorism and it destroying stuff...Team America style maybe?

talk about the history of railroads and the exploration out west...use pics of the different model trains in your work

How about the Loans industry?

I have a modular homes directory website and could use some ideas for linkbait.

Thanks Aaron you're the best :)

How bout Halloween Costumes?

How about sporting goods and game room products?
By the way, I recently stumbled upon your site and it is awesome....Thanks for all the great information Aaron!

I have a website that sells secondary market tickets to sold-out fights (boxing). Can you help me come up with a link bait idea?

Adult Toys - I have some ideas but would like to hear some new. Any suggestions really appreciated.

What would you suggest for a link baiting idea for San Diego real estate or foreclosures, or maybe San Diego Foreclosures. Please let me know what ideas you have, thank you!

For foreclosures maybe a story about how it is looking like we might be poorer on this side of the border :)

relating to car accessories in san diego, what topics would you write about? thanks

We have a site that offers 1000's of hotel deals from around the world. Some good ideas for linkbait for London hotels would be greatly appreciated.

Aaron

I don't know if ur still checking this page but I am looking for
1) a good linkbait idea for a website selling expensive office chairs
2) how do I get the linkbait to catch on?
i.e. Is there a topic in one of the forums that says after you create a great article (101...) this is where you should submit it to and this is how to submit it that it will catch on and generate backlinks

Thanks
Zalman

If you search the site there are other how to posts that outline how to make linkbait.

Any linkbait ideas for golf?