I recently wrote a blog post on how to write an awesome post per day - every day.
In that post, I described in detail what I personally do to accomplish all the daily writing tasks on my to-do list.
Then I get a follow-up comment with a good question, which I am about to answer.
Here’s the comment from Chris Hoff from tiresonsale.org:
How much time do you spend getting backlinks versus creating content?
There seems to be a wide range of opinions. I’ve heard of folks focusing on cranking out new content and forgoing backlinks as well as others who say the vast majority of their time is spent getting links, like 80-20.
It takes me forever to write a half decent blog post so I’m wondering if I should focus on becoming a better content producer or backlinker. Thanks!
Very valid question.
Should you quit blogging?
Not everyone is born to be a writer, and I include myself in the same category.
However, blogging is first and foremost about WRITING!
So my first instinct is to say “Chris, I think you are in the wrong business model!”
But then I’d have to say the same to myself and many other bloggers I know. 
So let’s get down to business and see if we can figure it out.
First of all, I need to refer to the previous post I wrote that separates all blogs into 3 different categories:
- Blogging for SEO - when you start a blog just to support your main site with links and fresh content.
- Blogging for branding - self-explanatory: you reinforce your existing brand through a blog.
- Blogging for money.
Original post: Anyone Should Blog? 3 Types of Blogs and 3 Ways to Handle Them
Since I don’t know what kind of blogging Christ is talking about (the link in his comment clearly lead to a niche site that he was doing some link building for), I’ll assume we are talking about “make money blogging“concept, since the first two are pretty straightforward and boring to talk about.
The chicken or the egg?
So you write a couple of good posts, do lots of link building, push those posts up the search engines, and then what?
Organic traffic will come, see that you don’t have much to offer as far as content goes and leave.
On the other hand, you are all about writing content. You write so much content, as a matter of fact, that you don’t have much time to do any link building.
The latter applies to me. I’ve been blogging daily for several months now and found that I had not time for anything else but content writing.
Well, sure I got a lot of natural links - meaning that you liked my content enough to link to it and I thank you for that from the bottom of my heart.
However, natural link building is never enough, especially for a competitive niche like mine.
Yes, the answer is very obvious; however, a lot of us, bloggers, have a hard time finding it.
YOU HAVE TO FIND A BALANCE.
You can’t just do content writing without link building, as well as link building with not much content.
Killer Tool for Non-Writer Writers
…if you dare to use it, that is.
Don’t remember how I found this tool, but it’s awesome to keep your writing churning.
It’s dirt cheap ($10) and this is not an affiliate link: http://writeordie.com/buy/
Here’s what this application is about:
Write or Die is a web application that encourages writing by punishing the tendency to avoid writing. Start typing in the box. As long as you keep typing, you’re fine, but once you stop typing, you have a grace period of a certain number of seconds and then there are consequences.
Killer Posts for Newbie Link Builders
Now that we dealt with the content writing issue, let’s get back to link building.
If you want any organic (READ: free and targeted) traffic from search engines, you pretty much HAVE TO learn how to do link building.
Your other option is to outsource the task.
However, I’ve searched far and near for a good link builder who knows what he/she is doing, but is not charging an arm and a leg for it - turned out to be an oxymoron.
Plus even if you do find someone, how would you know they are doing a good job if you have no idea how to do it yourself?
Here are some great posts for you to start learning about link building (I would read them in the order I listed them):
- SEO Traffic Basics: Reciprocal Links, Backlinks, Keywords (REALLY basic basics)
- Link Building Mixology: Your “How To Do It The Right Way” Guide
- Link Building: What’s Naughty, What’s Nice?
- Link Building Tip: How to Get 10 High-Quality Links In 30 Minutes Or Less
- One Way Linking Authority Codes (yes, you’ll have to cough up about $10 for it, but trust me - the info is well worth it.)
As you can imagine, I have a lot more written on the topic, but the above posts should have you covered.
Marketing Takeaway
I’d like to get back to “finding balance” thingy I briefly mentioned before.
Most bloggers are overwhelmed, overworked, and underpaid.
Finding balance is the single trickiest thing we have to do to become a success.
As for me, I have to cut down somewhere.
Daily blogging is sucking the blood out of me; I don’t have time to network, to build links, to visit your blogs, etc.
I will find my balance, I have to.
Image credit: http://www.quitor.com/
So, what are you going to do about it? Comment to show me that you’re alive!
- » How To Write Quality Content That Actually Attracts Traffic
- » How to Use Your RSS Feed to Turn Junk into Treasure
- » Matt Cutts on All Things SEO: Speed, Link Buildling, Domain Names and More
- » 5 Common Mistakes of Link Building
- » Link Intelligence: What Goldilocks Can Teach You About Linking Out
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This post brought to you by Ana Hoffman
Ana is the founder of Traffic Generation Cafe and wants you to know that her 7 Steps to Complete Search Engine Domination free SEO report = SEO Made Simple. Don't forget to pick up your own copy today - just click on the link above!
Ana has written 253 great posts for Traffic Generation Cafe.
A wife to a great husband, a mother to a beautiful and, no doubt, genius little girl, and a successful internet entrepreneur. I also devoted my life to Jesus Christ many years ago, and He remains my true priority, focus, and hope.
{ 60 comments… read them below or add one }
HI
I agree with you, both content writing and link building are very much important for any seo compaign
kalyan invites you to read: Tools to speed up your website
I personally think that the content is the main dish and all the other marketing stuff are just side dishes
Ricardus invites you to read: Migration Blogspot to self-hosted WordPress
Agreed.
Ana | Traffic Generation invites you to read: What Would You Do If Your Blog Were Hacked Today?
I would like to say that both content writing and link development are extremely important for successful website promotion. Each keyword rich article added to a website will bring some ammount of traffic to an online resource and incoming links increase traffic and have a positive impact on search engine rankings of a website. So, I would recommend to combine both these strategies in an online marketing strategy.
Terje Sannarnes invites you to read: How an Entrepreneur Can Build a Website with Minimal Skills
Thanks for sharing, Terje.
Ana | Traffic Generation invites you to read: Friday Tips for Keeps- How to Entice Your Readers to Retweet Your Content
I just retweeted this message, and loved it so much that I wanted to share it here too (yes I know I am full of myself LOL)
“Content creation vs. Link Building. The one situation where the chicken IS the egg”
Alex invites you to read: Article Marketing Challenge – Day 40 Traffic and Income Report
Thanks for sharing, Alex. It is true!
hahahaha that write or die app is awesome LOL!
I think I needed something like that during my challenge LOL - although I think I wrote and died so….
My take on the subject is that content IS backlinks so the question chris originally asked is mute.
Obviously I am entrenched in content creation at the moment, but I can tell you (Chris) first hand that creating and distributing content consistently is probably the best thing you can do.
I proved it on a small niche based blog and Ana has been proving it here in a competitive niche where her blog is her brand.
Sure, Ana networks and backlinks like it’s nobody’s business, but the fact that she has produced at least 2 brilliant pieces of content every week for 12 months has GOT to play a major role in helping her to be where she is now.
Content is King. Google is Queen and we know that the woman is always right… but content is still KING (so long as you listen to what the woman says you’ll be OK
)
Alex invites you to read: 8 Completely Free Tools That Will Catapult Your Link Building Efforts
Yes, content is certainly King. Glad to see you realize that the woman is always right!
Talk about a personal post, you might as well smack my name in there a few times…this is me, sorta. I actually like to write, that’s why it’s all I wanna do.
I write and comment (for traffic not links).
I’ve been outsourcing design for some time now, and just started outsourcing SEO. I suppose I should read those posts on link-building now. I too have looked in to the outsourcing of it…..like you, I have found the prospects few and far between.
Dennis Edell invites you to read: Pro-Blogging Is it All About the Money
We say in Russia - two boots make a pair. Despite of differing opinions from time to time, I do feel like that with you, Dennis.
I prefer link building though.
Ana | Traffic Generation invites you to read: Duplicate Content Phantom- Don’t Be Duped- Be Informed
I enjoy link building as well, contrary to popular opinion though, blog comments are not an A1 way to go about it.
Dennis Edell invites you to read: Should Guest Bloggers be Responsible for Replying to Comments
In fact, these two points (content writing and link building)would be more important in the blog post. Its my point of view. Thanks a lot for given your informative post on here:)
Thanks for coming by, Kavya.
One thing that I have found time and again is that unless you have a very high traffic site then focusing too much effort on your content can be counter-productive. Don’t get me wrong - your content needs to be good. But pumping it out like clockwork without promoting it can be rather inefficient in my experience. Better to produce an article less regularly then work on building links to that article. I believe this is one area where “less is more”. A well-promoted article will almost always produce “more” (subscibers, traffic, sales etc.) than a number of poorly-promoted articles. I think the balance should be 50/50 if not more “promotion heavy” for best results. For every hour you spend writing, aim to spend 1-2 hours on promoting your article and I think you’ll find the difference will be quite an eye-opener.
Sounds like you are saying that a well-promoted mediocre post will bring in more traffic and subscribers than a less-promoted killer post.
I suppose you have a point, Richard.
However, if it hadn’t been for the quality content, TGC wouldn’t have flourished the way it did - all modesty aside.
Now my readers promote my posts for me.
No wrong way of doing it, I suppose; all depends on the blog.
Ana
Ana | Traffic Generation invites you to read: Duplicate Content Phantom- Don’t Be Duped- Be Informed
Hi Ana,
You have a very interesting blog.
I am new to blogging and I want to have traffic to my site, I find your post is truly useful.
I have tried many outsourcing sites for content writing, and thankfully fiverr gave me a good affordable result.
Thank you
~J.
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Welcome to TGC, Jenny.
I personally would never outsource content writing for my main blog, but glad you found someone worthy.
Ana
Ana | Traffic Generation invites you to read: Link Building Tip- How to Do It the Smart Way
With you again Ana, I’ve had this discussion with many a blogger…niche (money) sites perhaps, but personal authority blog content must be all original owner…with the exception of guests of course.
Dennis Edell invites you to read: Should Guest Bloggers be Responsible for Replying to Comments
Agree with you that not everyone born to become a writer.
Blogging needs a perfect business plan like any other business.
first - decide your niche in which you can write unlimited articles without thinking
Second - write some killer posts and try to get new readers every time
Third - work on SEO and would be great enough if they are on top of SERP (its my luck that most of my posts are in top 10 results)
Fourth - network with people within your niche and exchange ideas so that everyone gets benefited from it
Vivek Parmar invites you to read: How-To Guide Change and Edit Footer In Genesis WordPress Theme
A perfect outline for a blog post, Vivek!
You are so right: blogging is a business and should be treated as such.
Ana | Traffic Generation invites you to read: How to Build Links and Generate Traffic Using Web 20 Tools
Content has to come first, but it has to be original and it must answer the needs of your target audience. Then you can use sites like Digg to circulate it and if it’s good other sites will want to link to it
phil invites you to read: Guide to buying a riser recliner chair
Well, that goes without saying, but without post promotion, which includes link building, your content will never be seen.
Just posting it to social media/bookmarking sites won’t get you far.
Plus, SEO traffic is leveraged - traffic will keep coming no matter what and that’s where we, bloggers, hit the sweet spot.
Hey Ana,
This is really a problem for anyone that has to take care of their business alone. You have to organize your time, to impose limits on your writing and start doing something else, also you should have some free time too.
One of the solutions would be to outsource your content writing or link building, because I too know you can’t do more things at one time and do them both right.
Those that want to do both link building and write content, will for sure do a mediocre or sub par job in both activities.
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I am with you, Alex.
However, I’ve been trying to outsource my link building forever now, but finding someone who is good and won’t cost an arm and a leg, is not simple. Well, so far impossible in my case.
Know of anyone?
Well, I don’t know what kind of links you need, Ana. But I presume the kind of links you want are costly.
Sorry, but I don’t know any good link builder that might fit your needs
.
Alexandru Petru invites you to read: Salon de coafura
Ana,
I does take finding a balance, I have had to test out different things in different areas. There is no one size fits all.
We can gather ideas from each other but when your feet hit the floor in the morning, how you put it into action is up to you. Then it comes to testing out the things you put into action.
Sheila Atwood invites you to read: The Blog Challenge Rolls Out With Guidelines and Prizes
I love it how you put it, Sheila. “when your feet hit the floor in the morning, how you put it into action is up to you.”
Exactly right, and that’s the attitude that will get us all somewhere.
Thanks for that.
Hi Ana,
I guess for me, content is first. Even though I only usually post once a week, it takes me quite a while to write each post. I do that on the weekend, and spend the rest of the week promoting, visiting other blogs and commenting if I feel like I have something to contribute. Then, of course there’s the pile of chores you leave us with every post of yours that I’ve never been able to keep up with. I’m starting to feel like the Mad Hatter, but thanks to you, my traffic is growing, even some from Google searches.
Lou
Lou Barba invites you to read: Too Much “Wait” Broke the Wagon
Hey, Lou - some work never hurts!
Glad to hear you are getting good results though; music to my ears.
Ana | Traffic Generation invites you to read: Matt Cutts on All Things SEO- Speed- Link Buildling- Domain Names and More
Although most thing you have said is true I don’t agree with somethings. You mention that once your get search engine traffic visitors will come, see there is nothing much and leave. But the key thing here is that you will always get fresh visitors if you rank in search engine. You can always build upon that traffic.
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What’s the point of any traffic if you can’t get them to take an action of sorts, whether it be join your list or purchase service or product?
And I guarantee you that if your search engine traffic comes and doesn’t find what they are looking for on your blog, they’ll never convert.
Numbers don’t matter in this case.
Ana | Traffic Generation invites you to read: How to Build Links and Generate Traffic Using Web 20 Tools
Great post Ana. I have a few responses for you.
For link building on most of my niche sites, I’ve outsourced some article spinning/submissions as well as social bookmarking, etc. Having someone do it for me rather than I doing it does cost money, however the time savings is huge. And as I have a Mac and not a PC, most of the software that does some of this stuff isn’t available to me.
On a few of my bigger niche sites where I am running surveys, have an email list, etc. I am using PPC. In this way I have targeted traffic from the beginning, and am building my email list. I do this in combination with 3x weekly posts on the blog portion of the site. Where I’m using this along with some serious on-site SEO, my sites are slowly beginning to rank for all of my major keyphrases.
While I know many readers here won’t be into PPC because of the cost, when you use it combination with some deep keyword research and know how to keep costs low you can have serious financial impact for your site, namely positive cashflow.
For my authority-style sites it’s another matter entirely. I focus more on creating content around my products and services, networking like crazy, and using social media and a few other tools for the traffic.
Robert Dempsey invites you to read: Stop Wasting Your Time Commenting On Blogs
Good to hear your prospective on it, Robert.
When I hear about how much you have on your plate, I feel I have nothing to complain about.
I think I am cutting down to 3 posts per week and making time for all other things I now don’t have time for.
Ana | Traffic Generation invites you to read: How to Build Links and Generate Traffic Using Web 20 Tools
Hey Ana,
I know what you are talking about. When you blog everyday, it is hard to network, especially when your blog is a single author blog.
Multi author blogs can publish everyday (even multiple posts). But it is really hard for single author blogs. Not that we are not productive, but we all have 24 hrs a day and in my opinion networking takes equal weight with producing content. Because promoting your content will be dead without networking. What if we write (killer) post after post if you don’t have the time to promote it and network with other people?
So I too had the same thought about a couple of months ago and now I am doing three posts per week, except on rare occasions I do post 5 a week.
Cheers,
Jane.
Jane | Find All Answers invites you to read: Why Is A Blog Not Updated Regularly
Something for me to think about, Jane.
On the other hand, the traffic will probably go down for a while. So you exchange traffic for writing even better content plus freeing up some time for networking, link building, etc.
I think it’s a fair trade.
Ana | Traffic Generation invites you to read: How My Optin Email Marketing List Got Cut Down in Half in One Day
As I heard a famous comedian say: “First comes the money, then the power.” The same applies for links too, first comes the content, then come the links (or not). In an ideal world, users should like to great content, but that doesn’t happen often. Usually people link from twitter or facebook, which do not count towards SE rankings. Otherwise users link to content but want a link back in form of a trackback.
Good point, Andreas.
Producing great content is never a guarantee that it’ll show up in search engine just because it might’ve been mentioned by your readers once or twice.
Great content is only great when it’s read by the masses and we have to do some link building work for it to get there.
Ana | Traffic Generation invites you to read: Email List Building Secrets Your Thank You Page is Keeping from You
Hi Ana,
I have read many posts from here and I got to know that link building and Content Writing both go together. You can’t rely on one thing.
If you write good content but no link building then you won’t get readers, plus if you do link building and have no good content then readers won’t like your blog and never come again.
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Precisely my point, Sam - can’t do one and not the other.
Unfortunately many bloggers do and then wonder why they are not getting great results.
Ana | Traffic Generation invites you to read: Link Building Tip- How to Do It the Smart Way
Hi Ana,
It’s helped me to focus on one strategy - blogging - and learn bits and pieces about things like link building.
Focus on one thing so your energy is concentrated. Focus on a few, burn out.
Thanks for sharing!
RB
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Good point, Ryan, but as popular as my blog is, I am still not getting ranked for good keywords since it takes link building to get there.
Being a good blogger is where 10 hats at the same time; I am convinced of it.
Ana | Traffic Generation invites you to read: How to Build Links and Generate Traffic Using Web 20 Tools
I definitely write an article per day, religiously, but only 1 out of 4 goes to my blog. The rest go to other blogs, as guest posts, as part of my backlinking strategy. Of course everyone has one’s own plan accoring to one’s needs or available time. Nice topic Anna, thanks for bringing it up.
Guest posting is definitely the best link building there is, Steven; glad you are doing it.
Speaking of which, aren’t you writing one for me soon?
Ana:
You have provided us with so much content to devour…it is time for a break. We as bloggers, no matter the “type” need that from time to time. Although we will miss our daily Ana-isms, it is the best thing to recoop!
Lisa
Lisa invites you to read: List Building- How To Make Your 1st 100
I have no idea how I did it, but apparently I made the post all about the balance in life instead of what I meant for it to be: link building vs content writing!
Judging by the comments, anyway…
Nobody even noticed that killer Write or Die software I found…
That just tells you, Lisa, how much out of it I seem to be.
Somebody - smack me in the head!!!
Ana | Traffic Generation invites you to read: Email List Building Secrets Your Thank You Page is Keeping from You
Hey Ana,
Funny you should say that! Writing is not my thing and I’m into blogging, lol! I still wonder how I managed to write 5 times a week since January.
I agree writing daily is not easy at all. I also took a day-off on Monday, I just felt very tired. But there was still activity on my blog regardless.
Where do you hang out these days? I don’t see you much really
I accidentally stumbled upon your guest post over at Famousbloggers today.
You’re right - finding a balance is key. Hope you’ll do something about it and come and play with us
All the best,
Mavis
P.S. Cute image as usual.
Mavis Nong invites you to read: I Unplugged From My Work – Was it a Wise Move to Take a Break
I am just in a big time funk right now, Mavis.
Hoping to get out of it sooner rather than later.
Ana | Traffic Generation invites you to read: How to Build a List- Rich Man- Poor Man List Building
Your cartoon is adorable, but it made me sad! =)
I think most of us could stand to review the information on continuing the good fight and slogging out a quality blog post a day. Thank you for the inspiration!
It really sounds easier than it is, Scott.
I’ve been blogging daily for a while and by the time I write a post per day, plus answer comments, emails, social media interactions, I have no time for link building or any activity that actually brings money!
I generally write a new post every other day. I do spend the majority of my time backlinking though. I guess when you have a successful blog you don’t have the time to visit other sites. I hope that scenario will change for you.
For people like me who refuse to outsource content and have very strict guest posting rules, I have no choice but to focus on content.
Link building is my passion though; I love it!
Envy you a bit (wink).
Ana | Traffic Generation invites you to read: How My Optin Email Marketing List Got Cut Down in Half in One Day
Ana, I don’t care if you ever visit my blog again.
Sorta . . .
Kind person, if you are too busy to visit my blog because you are doing what you are obviously blessed to do, I yield. You touch so many of us with your insights that not coming by to comment on comment directly to us shouldn’t be a burden for you. I understand, I think others do too.
If you want to relax for a while, read a few great blogs and comment, that’s one thing. But as the doors open for you, as you can fulfill your God given talents, go for it!
Yes, life and blogging is a balance. But if you’re weary, just know there are a bunch of us out here that benefit so much from your information. You write so that we can learn. It’s not sucking the blood out of you, you are giving blogging and writing life to us.
And for that, I thank you.
You are always so incredibly sweet, Gib - and by the way, I love coming to your blog! And I’d like to do it more often!
Ana | Traffic Generation invites you to read: How to Build Links and Generate Traffic Using Web 20 Tools
I think that I also fit in the same category, not an avid writer. But all in all, I agree with what you said that “finding” the right balance is a good approach, actually to just about everything. Pretty much like writing for humans or bots, which in my opinion is relatively comparable. Anyway, so to show you that “blogging for…whatever reason” is not an easy task and it requires hard work or at the very least much determination and consistency.
DiTesco invites you to read: Why Article Marketing Should Not Be A Part Of Your SEO Strategy
Isn’t it amazing that people like us - not avid writers - end up in blogging, Francisco? And you! So many blogs - churning up content must be a drag.
I decided to miss a post yesterday and got a lot of people asking me what happened… I guess once you set a precedent of daily blogging, it’s hard to turn back.
Ana | Traffic Generation invites you to read: How To Determine Your Blog Weak Spots And How To Correct Them
I definitely am not a daily-writer, but I do like writing a couple of times a week. It’s all a matter of finding your own balance and pace, as you mention. My blog is up to reinforce my company’s brand so I don’t have the pressure of actually making direct money out of it, which helps a lot.
GabrieIe Maidecchi invites you to read: 5 Good Reasons Why People Really Need to Talk More and 4 Things to Avoid
I wish that’s what my blog purpose was as well, Gabriele - would take a lot of pressure off my shoulders.
For me, writing daily is pretty much a prerequisite.
For both you and me, link building is still a must.
Ana | Traffic Generation invites you to read: Email List Building Secrets Your Thank You Page is Keeping from You
There are too many ideals in this business that’s for sure, we are not robots that can all follow an exact step by step model down to a t, you can learn everything you need to know and then suffer from analysis paralysis. Or you can learn what you need to know and then find a balance that works for you to achieve success.
James invites you to read: Article Marketing – How To Make Writing An Article Easy
I agree with you, James - that’s why so called “systems” never work.
However, there are some universal truths that any blogger needs to learn to apply; non-negotiables like content writing for instance.
We all learn as we go and the point is to never stop learning. Getting overwhelmed is / should be entirely under our control.
Ana | Traffic Generation invites you to read: How to Build a List- Rich Man- Poor Man List Building