Linking Strategies: Mining Prospects, Part 1.

Now it's time to turn commitment into action!

Don't kid yourself, it takes work to get incoming links. So roll up your sleeves, and let's get started.

First, you're going to create several lists as a starting point. These lists don't need to be long or complete. You'll find yourself adding to them as you go.

Get out pencil and paper. Mark a line across the page about halfway down. Then divide the top half into three columns.

Use column one to list terms that describe the topic of your site, both broad and specific. For example: Sports, Athletics, Track, Running, Sprints, and Hurdles.

Use column two to list your targeted keywords: "College Track Athletes", "Collegiate Runners", "Running Sprints", "Running Hurdles".

Finally, use column three to list terms that might compliment your topic: "High School Sports", "sports health", etc.

Now head on over to Google.

Using the terms from your lists, search Google for sites that have submission forms. Look for directories, as well as topical sites. Look for information sites, and e-commerce sites. If you find a site that you'd like to have link to you, but they don't have a submit page, add them to your Favorites (Bookmarks) to come back to later.

Right now, concentrate on finding sites where listings are free and all you have to do to submit your site is fill out a form.

Before you start submitting, though, you need to do some research.