Not a full post here, but I thought I’d point out an article I wrote on my SEO blog which has sparked a few comments – feel free to pop along and chip in. 
The basic premise is that I believe link building, particular if performed internally within an organisation (as oppose to being outsourced), is a form of marketing in itself and should be treated as such. If you are going to the effect of contacting websites for links, why not put in that little extra effort and maximise your time?
It would be very easy for your link builder to be in fact a PR person who’s job would be to promote your website to other websites in your niche – to participate in forums, to build relationships with other websites and individuals in your industry and to become an expert representing your company.
Why aren’t you doing that?
Good post but you need to start off with conclusion and end with the meat.
People like me, is time poor and probably thrashing around with the terminology in an attempt to try to understand WTF is going on. And then not really getting it but needing someone to do it… so it’s an easy sell, if presented the right way!?
I see your point with that article. I don’t think I am an SEO or promotional expert yet, so I gain great value still in doing it myself. I would assume it is childsplay for you. Would you do it for your startup websites?
I think startups do need link building as a serious activity but it would be very hard to justify the cost. Yes, I’d do it myself but I’ve been doing this for years so that doesn’t count.
However, I would say that link building for a new venture could be very closely tied to PR (public relations) so if there is a budget there and you could find a good link savvy PR agency then you could kill two birds with one stone to a certain extent.
Yeh Rich – my article writing skills ain’t the best!
Working on it though – thanks for the feedback!
Scott