Link building is ignored by some businesses, but for a SaaS business’s marketing strategy, it is absolutely pivotal. Link building makes all the difference in SEO and collaborating with industry influencers can be a good way to drive brand exposure and build more backlinks.
This is because working with influential individuals who have established credibility and a substantial following within your target audience can build more company awareness.
Identify the Right Influencers
Before diving into influencer research, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of your target audience and niche. You should begin by identifying the specific demographics, interests, and pain points of your ideal customers. Why? This information will serve as a guide to finding influencers who have a genuine impact on your target market.
Once you have a clear picture of your target audience, it’s time to research industry influencers who align with their interests and preferences. Start by exploring popular blogs, websites, and social media platforms in your industry. Look for influencers who consistently produce high-quality content, but also look for influencers who are great storytellers and are respected by their followers.
Metrics like follower count, and engagement rate can also be helpful to track. Beyond this looking for specific expertise, and the relevance of their content to your SaaS product or service is key. Influencers who have an authentic voice, an engaged community, and a track record of being successful with brand partnerships is key.
To streamline your influencer research process, leverage tools and platforms designed to discover relevant influencers. Some of the most useful tools are:
BuzzSumo: This tool allows you to search for popular content in your niche and identify the influencers who have shared or written about it. It provides tangible insights into their reach, engagement, and social media profiles.
Followerwonk: Followerwonk is a Twitter-specific tool that enables you to find influencers based on their Twitter bio, location, and follower count. It is great because it also provides analytics and data on their audience demographics and social authority.
Social media analytics: Platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn provide built-in analytics that can help you identify influencers with high engagement rates, follower growth, and audience demographics. Analyzing these metrics can give you a better understanding of an influencer’s ability to well “influence”.
Industry directories and networks: Explore industry-specific directories, communities, or networks that curate and connect influencers. These platforms often categorize influencers based on niche, allowing you to discover relevant influencers in your industry.
Build Authentic Relationships
Once you have identified relevant influencers, it’s time to engage with them on social media platforms. Follow their accounts, like their posts, and leave thoughtful comments that contribute to the conversation. Show genuine interest in their content by sharing it with your audience and highlighting specific aspects that resonate with the company.
When engaging with influencers, remember to be authentic and avoid generic or promotional messages. Personalize your interactions and provide value by offering insights, recommendations, or additional resources. Building a genuine connection through consistent and meaningful engagement lays the foundation for a mutually beneficial relationship.
To strengthen your relationship with influencers, actively share their content with your audience. This not only helps to increase their reach but also demonstrates your support and appreciation for their own mission. When sharing their content, add your own valuable insights or commentary to provide additional value to your audience and engage in meaningful discussions with the influencer and their followers.
Consider creating content that references or complements the influencer’s work. This can be in the form of blog posts, videos, or social media posts that provide an in-depth analysis or a different perspective on a topic they’ve covered. By showcasing your knowledge and understanding of the influencer’s content, you establish yourself as a trusted collaborator and valuable resource.
Offer Valuable Content Collaborations
Collaborating on content with influencers is an excellent way to leverage their influence and build high-quality backlinks. By creating valuable and engaging content together, you can tap into the influencer’s audience and establish your brand as a trusted resource.
One effective approach is to offer to write compelling guest posts for the influencer’s blog or website. When crafting the content, ensure it is informative, well-researched, and aligned with the influencer’s audience’s interests. By providing valuable insights and actionable tips, you can capture the attention of the influencer’s followers and drive traffic back to your SaaS website.
Another valuable content collaboration method is to participate in collaborative webinars, podcasts, or video content. This can be a fantastic way to foster a partnership and at the same time reach a broader audience. Work with the influencer to develop engaging and educational sessions that provide value to both your audiences. This collaboration not only expands your reach but also reinforces your credibility as an industry expert.
Finally, providing influencers with exclusive access to your SaaS product can be a powerful way to solidify collaborations and generate valuable backlinks. Offer influencers free or discounted access to your product or service and encourage them to share their experience through reviews or testimonials on their platforms. These reviews can attract attention from their followers and provide social proof of your SaaS offerings!
Leverage Influencer Outreach for Link Building
Once you have established a rapport with influencers, it’s time to leverage their influence for link building.
Oftentimes, the easiest way to generate more backlinks is just to ask. Reach out to influencers and kindly ask them to mention or link to your SaaS content within their blogs, social media posts, or newsletters. To increase the chances of success, provide them with valuable resources, such as research findings, industry insights, or compelling statistics, that can enhance their own content. By offering something of value, you make it easier for influencers to include your content and generate valuable backlinks.
Look for opportunities to contribute guest posts on influencer platforms that align with your niche. Craft insightful articles that provide valuable information and practical tips to their audience. Guest posting not only helps you gain exposure to a wider audience but also earns you quality backlinks, boosting your SaaS website’s authority.
Create a win-win situation by inviting influencers to contribute content to your own website or blog. This could be in the form of guest articles, expert interviews, or collaborative projects. By featuring their content, you show respect for their expertise while benefiting from their name recognition and the backlinks they may include in their contributed content.
Remember to personalize your outreach messages and clearly explain the mutual benefits of collaboration, and express genuine interest in the influencer’s work. Building strong relationships based on mutual trust and value is key to successful influencer outreach and link building.
