Five Things to Remember as an Outreacher

Five things to remember about building relationships as an Outreacher

When you think of outreach, you might think of a cold approach, but effective outreach is about building long-lasting, meaningful relationships. Instead of focusing on quick wins, you should cultivate these connections to build lasting partnerships and drive your long-term success. Here’s how to approach outreach with relationship building in mind.

1. Think long term

The initial extension shouldn’t just be a one-time interaction. Whether your goal is a single connection or a collaboration, approaching it with a long-term mindset will set you up for continued success. Establishing rapport can lead to future collaborations that benefit both parties.

2. Customize your approach

Skip the generic cold emails and opt for a personalized approach:

• Write personalized emails for each publisher: Take the time to write personalized, individual emails for each site you contact.
• Suggest content their readers will love: Put some thought into your content ideas and offer unique topics that their readers will want to engage with.

3. Avoid transactional emails

First impressions matter, so make yourself feel human:

• Clear subject lines: Use concise and professional subject lines that pique curiosity without being overly salesy.

• Change your opening lines: Start with something specific about their work to show authenticity.
• It provides value: Focus on how your collaboration can benefit them, rather than asking for something.

4. Offer collaboration, not demands

Instead of going straight for your request, frame your relationship as an invitation to collaborate. Asking for their input fosters a two-way relationship and reduces the transactional feel of your email. Provide value, you may want something out of this exchange, but give them something too. Focus on what you will offer your contact and how it can help them. For example, if you’re offering a guest post, explain how you think it will be valuable to them and their audience.

5. Build trust for future partnerships

Establishing trust and credibility with your contacts can save you time and effort in the long run. When your contacts see you as a trusted partner, they are more likely to reach out directly, leading to sustained collaboration. Consistently delivering quality content and honoring commitments helps establish that trust, creating opportunities for stronger placements and exclusive link building options. Over time, these relationships make outreach more effective and improve the impact of your SEO efforts.

Take away

Move away from a transactional approach and focus on building relationships when you work. Personalize your messages, deliver value and focus on building trust to create lasting partnerships that benefit both you and your contacts.