Susan Suarez

You are taught in your high school writing class about creating a good ‘hook’ for your paper because it’s the best way to catch a readers interest. So, why wouldn’t that apply to your blog?

Grabbing attention and traffic needs the right kind of bait and there are a handful of useful ones being used on web. The most common ‘hooks’ are:

• News Hook
• Humor Hook
• Attack Hook
• Contrary Hook
• Resource Hook
• Incentive Hook

The goal of these hooks is to get backlinks which can be measured with technorati and yahoo. To be successful, linkbaiting must be taken seriously by placing importance in good titles. For some good headline ideas, check CopyBloggers site for a list of ideas. As an example, today’s post is using #10′s suggestion.

An Explanation About Hooks

The News Hook: Up to date news on breaking topics. It’s easy to come up with news and content but can be fairly time consuming. You will be trying to running your own MSNBC page and will never get a break.

Example: Search Engine Land

Humor Hook: Write something funny. You can make fun of the industry or yourself. Everybody wants to laugh but not everyone may share your sense of humor.

Example: Got2BeGreen (Humor Section in Left Sidebar)

Attack Hook: During a controversy, you may get a lot of link love. Bad press can be good press, but it isn’t fun to make an enemy.

Example: Shoemoney

Contrary Hook: A debate in a public arena. People who respect you or find the debate interesting will give you links but if you’re not correct you may undergo a public whipping.

Resource Hook: A place to gather research, filter important information, a place of reference, etc. It can be time consuming but the information can be build into something greater and be referenced often.

Incentive Hook: Contests can and have worked. Bloggers will usually sniff out ulterior motives, so be genuine and crafty.

Example: Blogging scholarship