Any Tips for Link Building for Boring Topics/Businesses?

[cmaddison]

I have a number of clients that own businesses in 'boring' sectors, such as:

1. Toxic Waste Removal

2. Steel Erecting

3. Household Plumbing (Boilers, etc...)

Link building for these sites is quite difficult. Creating compelling content and 'link bait' is particularly tricky.

I found a good post from Michael Gray on the subject, but I don't think food (or McDonalds in this case)is a particularly difficult subject to write about.

Any more tips on how to approach this would be appreciated.

Thanks

[KeriMorgret]

We also just published a YouMoz on the main blog today that deals exactly with this subject. Check it out at http://www.seomoz.org/blog/3-steps-to-social-seo-for-your-boring-ass-clients

[KeriMorgret]

See what MythBusters and Dirty Jobs have done regarding these subjects and see if that offers inspiration. MythBusters has at least once done an episode on exploding water heaters. Enough people like how Mike Rowe can clean a dump truck and recycle toilets that he (and Discovery) can make a nice living. Here are a bunch of his episodes http://www.dirtyjobsmikerowe.com/dvds/. Maybe see how he treats topics in your subject area for ideas?

[Dan-Petrovic]

1. Compile a guide on how to deal with toxic materials (links, references and all) and pitch to gov and edu sites for inclusion.

2. Cross promote with industry operators (builders, painters...etc).

3. DIY guides that people will appreciate. How to fix a simple problem or step by step illustration.

[Red_Mud_Rookie]

I would argue these topics are easier to build links for because they are so niche and therefore less competitive, so perhaps you should go back to basics and try some or all of the following:

Niche directories - i know directories are old hat and outdated, but if you could get a few links from "eco" sites (toxic waste removal) or indeed government sites such as town councils etc then you will get some benefit. Don't forget it is worth linking out to authority sites too i.e. if you link to the local council site on how to get rid of toxic waste safely then then your link neighbourhood improves.

Niche publications - If you can place articles in these sites with contextual links then you're on to a winner. Case studies and how to guides are always welcome material.

How to guides - Especially when it comes to plumbers, boilers etc. I worked with a plumbing company before and suggested they post how to guides on everything from fitting a tap to what questions to ask your plumber about a new boiler etc. The push back here is often that "if we tell them how to do it then they won't get us to do it", but would you really try and fit a boiler yourself if you had the instructions? Try http://www.e-zine-list.com/index.shtml for a list of niche pubs

Become the expert - sites like Yahoo Answers are awash with people looking for answers on various topics so if your client can put in a little time each day to answer questions they could become recognised as the go to guy on their subject.

[Gyi]

Be Thematic. Find themes that apply to your subjects. Try to relate to more popular related "stuff".

Here are some quick examples:

1. Toxic Waste Removal - Work in references, images, video of The Toxic Avenger: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090190/

2. Steel Erecting - I don't know if this is too loose, but Transformers came to mind.

3. Household Plumbing - Perhaps create a mascot, "Bobby The Hot Tempered Boiler".

Ok, so these might not be the most well-thought-out examples, but I think you get my point.