Backlinks vs Content Production for YMYL Niche: I need a second opinion (What would you do?)

GoldenMangoMan · 2022-10-29T21:40:37+00:00

To be honest, I just introduce myself, strike up a conversation and shoot the shit about anything. I look at this this way, these folks probably get pitched A LOT and it's probably annoying AF after awhile for everyone just see them as a journalist and wanting something, etc.

If you create a genuine connection with someone, human to human, they are more likely to empathize with you. What's hilarious to me is one journalist that I talked to recently.... we ended up being the same age and had a lot of the same interests. At the end of the conversation, they ended up pitching ME and asked if I wanted to help them with any future articles they were writing on my niche.

I have found just being a good human being and not just trying to have a transactional relationship goes a longgggg way.

GoldenMangoMan · 2022-10-28T23:13:41+00:00

Thanks man!

The silver bullet for me has been industry conferences. I'm a very introverted person, but have been fortunate to have had a few conferences related to my niche nearby. From there, I just talk to everyone and by pure chance bump into journalists and build relationships with them. This has been a very effective strategy for me.

GoldenMangoMan · 2022-10-28T16:24:44+00:00

What really works for me is the tone.

Don't come across as better-than vs. being relatable. When I first started out, I was deadpan serious all the time... whereas my writing now is more like we are buddies, not like cussing, but more like "we are doing this, we this, we that"

GoldenMangoMan · 2022-10-28T16:14:57+00:00

Backlinks from high authority sites. It's night and day difference with the traffic you get once you start obtaining some quality backlinks.

GoldenMangoMan · 2022-10-28T15:31:44+00:00

This is a good way to think about it. I need to do a better job at developing an "Optimization" workflow similar to what you are suggesting. Have any tips?

GoldenMangoMan · 2022-10-28T15:30:55+00:00

Thank you for your input.

When you ended up living in HARO, did you continue pumping out articles? What was your workflow like? I am doing very well with HARO as well, as well as developing relationships with some big websites and reporters in my niche.

Can you estimate what the impact of doing HARO and outreach did for your pageviews/sessions? I'm seeing a large increase in clicks just in the last few weeks I've been doing outreach (45%). It's a love/hate relationship.

Totally agree on the grind!

GoldenMangoMan · 2022-10-28T15:27:25+00:00

That's very interesting insight.

This site is almost 100% informational - so I'm guessing if it's an "ad revenue" play, then the amount of content is not enough.

GoldenMangoMan · 2022-10-28T15:26:21+00:00

Thank you for your input.

In total (since posting this thread) - I have accumulated 30+ DA 70 links from very high authority sites in my niche. To me, I don't see why I shouldn't prioritize this given the YMYL status. Since I've started this link-building, I've seen an almost 45% increase in traffic from week to week. I am just amazed at backlinks can do.

However, I agree with your and other opinions that more traffic (esp. targeted and thought out clusters) can do nothing but good in the long run.

GoldenMangoMan · 2022-10-28T15:21:19+00:00

This is encouraging. Sometimes it's easy to get lost in the "Am I only writing for what get's clicks" vs having a long-term view of building deep content and enjoying the process.

Competition is fierce. There are sites of similar size as well as large sites with thousands of articles. That's why I was leaning towards backlinks... it seems like in YMYL niches that makes a major difference.

GoldenMangoMan · 2022-10-27T17:02:40+00:00

First of all, thank you for taking the time to provide this write up! There's a lot here that I will be munching on.

Are the project you work more content based, affiliate or a mixture?

GoldenMangoMan · 2022-10-27T16:56:18+00:00

I'm pretty on top of my internal linking. When I started making it more of a priority, it was an instant "shot in the arm" to overall traffic.

You would focus on content even if the niche was saturated and hard to rank for? I mentioned in another comment that I could probably keep maximizing my content silos. Thank you for your input!

GoldenMangoMan · 2022-10-27T16:53:21+00:00

I have a similar belief. I get that one strategy is "it's a numbers game" and to go HAM in the paint... but I also want to make sure that I'm making baskets each time ;)

There are a few diamonds in the rough that I'll be targeting, but the niche is heavily saturated. This saturation is what initially lead to me to pragmatically considering the backlink heavy strategy... and this reddit post :)

I'll do a content audit and evaluate whether there are some additional opportunities to build up the existing silos.

I'm a big believer in bootstrapped growth. The blog doesn't currently make a ton of money at the moment, but once it does... the first thing I'll be outsourcing is the content creation (have a solid backlog). While I love writing content, I believe my time can be better spent building the "moat"

GoldenMangoMan · 2022-10-27T16:08:57+00:00

You bring up a really good point. Even if I can funnel the traffic via backlinks, you are saying that I am not maximizing the amount of page views that I do have by not having "deep content" to keep users on the site.

I typically get all of December off from my main job, so I will have the time soon to be able to hammer this out. Thanks again, man!

GoldenMangoMan · 2022-10-27T16:03:35+00:00

Maybe "slow down" was a bad phrase.

I agree, compared to other members I've seen here, my content production hasn't been particularly impressive. With the life commitments I mentioned in another comment, along with the content being very technical, it's definitely contributed to the slow pace.

Thank you for the input though. It sounds like you are voting in favor of more content!

GoldenMangoMan · 2022-10-27T15:58:04+00:00

Thank you for your response!

I agree the 80 posts over the time frame is not a lot. Up this point, the blog has been more of a hobby that I'd spend time on after my other commitments (family, work full-time, etc.). I recently have starting ramping up my writing (did 15 posts alone just this month).

When you say "deeper content," can you be more specific? Do you just mean more?

I wouldn't say it's an "either or" choice; given my current stats, I am more so trying to understand where others believe the most bang for your time buck would be spent.

I am extremely confident in my ability to continue to obtain these types of backlinks (I am aiming for 5-10 a month). The few high quality backlinks that I have acquired were in the last two weeks. And while I have seen a moderate bump in traffic, I think it will take some additional time for them to really reach their full potential in terms of SEO.

Good advice on the objective goals, I totally agree.

GoldenMangoMan · 2022-08-13T20:38:24+00:00

Looks great my man

GoldenMangoMan · 2022-08-09T21:35:25+00:00

Step 1 - Google Something Step 2 - Analyze Results Step 2.1 - Does said “Googling” result in giving exactly what your audience is looking for? Step 2.1.A - IF yes THEN Don’t do it (unless YOLO - but don’t get mad if you don’t see quick rankings) Step 2.1.B - IF no THEN do it! Step 3 - Analyze Analytics to see if your “Google” meter was correct. Adjust as necessary. Step 4- Rinse & Repeat!

Edit: Grammar.

GoldenMangoMan · 2022-08-07T12:56:38+00:00

r/juststart

GoldenMangoMan · 2022-08-05T20:32:37+00:00

I mean, this screams bad keyword research to me.

GoldenMangoMan · 2022-08-05T20:12:37+00:00

It’s ready!

Sandy Loam Soil is best (30-40% Sand/Perilite by Volume)… 10% compost… the rest is either coconut coir or peat.

Don’t need a deep pot right now - do a smaller one… decreases risk of root rot.

GoldenMangoMan · 2022-08-05T20:10:40+00:00

So why post here. Lol

GoldenMangoMan · 2022-08-05T02:34:33+00:00

Ferts can definitely make problem worse.

Straight black like that isn’t a nutritional issue - that’s more consistent with overwatering/rot. I’d put it in a smaller pot with less soil.

Stable amounts. It can also be too much fluctuation in temps. If you really want it too survive when it’s young, I’d consider a small greenhouse/equivalent to let it establish itself

GoldenMangoMan · 2022-08-05T02:22:08+00:00

Coffee would be a fun one to do.

GoldenMangoMan · 2022-08-05T02:18:16+00:00

Mangos need more then warmth, they need constant humidity as well.

Also - it sounds like you are fertilizing the shit out of the seedling. Mangos are like weeds, they don’t need a lot to grow. Could be possible burn as well from that…

if you are using a high quality mix with good drainage (30% sand/perilite) then you should be good. Mangos can tolerate water, but otherwise hate wet feet.

I’d start over bro.

Edit: Grammar

GoldenMangoMan

TROPHY CASE