Building backlinks can be one of the most frustrating parts of SEO. You put in the effort, craft compelling content, and send out countless outreach emails—only to hear crickets. But what if there was a creative way to get links, build relationships, and even gain some social media traction along the way? That’s exactly what this backlink hack is all about.
Here’s how you can turn indirect competitors into powerful allies for boosting your SEO efforts.
Start with a List of Indirect Competitors
When it comes to finding backlink opportunities, your first instinct might be to target blogs or websites in the same niche as you. Instead, widen your scope to include businesses that cater to the same audience as yours but don’t compete with you directly.
For example, if your client sells luxury yachts, think beyond boats. Look at companies selling private jets, high-end real estate, or luxury vehicles. They share the same affluent audience but are not vying for the same customer dollar. If you're struggling to come up with ideas, try GPT.
These indirect competitors are your golden ticket. You'll probably find plenty of indirect competitors who have a strong online presence, and because they’re not directly competing with you, they’re more likely to view collaboration as beneficial.
Write Content That Stands Out
Skip the usual “Top 5” or “Best Of” posts. Instead, aim for something fresh and engaging. A title like “5 Incredible Stories You Didn’t Know About Private Jet Companies” grabs attention while setting your content apart from generic listicles.
Now it's time to research the indirect competitor — or competitors! — you've selected. Dive deep into research to add value. Look for awards they’ve won, interesting trivia, or quirky anecdotes about their founders. If your client has industry knowledge, ask them for insights that could make your article even more unique.
Adding these human touches can elevate your blog post from just another list to a piece of content that feels personal and memorable. This will help it get the kind of attention you need from your target.
Make It Personal with Insider Details
Generic content doesn’t get attention or inspire shares. Adding insider details makes a huge difference. For instance, uncover the story behind a company’s most significant achievement or a fun fact about how the business started. These types of details transform your content into something people want to read and share.
When you’re researching, think outside the box. Look at interviews with company executives, browse their press releases, or even dig into customer reviews for gems you can include. The more personal and specific your content feels, the better your chances of getting it noticed—and shared.
If you have the time, try contacting customer support. You'll find that both businesses big and small are often happy to reply to press inquiries. Having this initial interaction now will also be useful later, as you'll see.
Publish and Reach Out Strategically
Once your blog post is live, start outreach. Send a friendly email to the companies you’ve featured, letting them know about the blog post. Keep the tone light and positive, and mention why you think their story was worth highlighting. Here's a quick example:
“Hi [Name],
We recently published a blog post featuring some amazing stories from the private jet industry, and your company was one of our highlights! We loved learning about [specific detail you included], and we think our audience will too. Check it out here: [link]. Feel free to share it if you think your followers would enjoy it!”
If you contacted the company during the research phase, it's a good idea to bring it up during the outreach. Thank them for helping with your research.
Give it a couple of days, and if you don’t hear back, try other channels. Social media can be even more effective. LinkedIn and Twitter work particularly well for reaching marketing managers or even CEOs. A quick message along the lines of your email can often get a response—and a share.
Leverage Social Media for Maximum Visibility
Tagging companies on social media platforms when you share the post is a simple way to get noticed. Many businesses monitor their mentions and are likely to see your tag. If your content strikes the right chord, they may share it with their followers, amplifying your reach.
This can be especially powerful if the company has a large following. Imagine your post being shared with an audience of 30,000 engaged followers—that’s a huge potential boost for your content and your client’s brand.
Remember, big companies have different teams for customer support and social media. So even if your email got ignored, the person in charge of social media may still pay attention to your mention.
Look Out for Unexpected Wins
This strategy isn’t just about backlinks. While some companies might link back to your blog from their website, others might feature your content in their newsletters or share it across multiple platforms. These indirect benefits can significantly extend your content’s reach and help you connect with new audiences.
Additionally, this method can open the door to longer-term relationships with these companies. Whether it’s cross-promotional opportunities or simply staying on their radar for future collaborations, these connections can be incredibly valuable for you and your client.
Keep Testing and Refining
Like any outreach strategy, this one works best with consistent effort and fine-tuning. Keep track of what kind of content performs best and adjust your approach as needed. Some niches may respond better to certain types of blog posts, while others might require a more tailored outreach strategy.
Over time, you’ll start to see patterns emerge—what types of posts get the most shares, which outreach methods work best, and even which companies are most receptive and collaborative. Use these insights to make your process even more effective.
This backlink hack isn’t just a way to score more links; it’s also a fantastic opportunity to build goodwill, showcase creativity, and position your client as a knowledgeable voice in their industry. Give it a try, and you might be surprised at how well it works.
