Hi {{first_name}},
Last week we spoke about how critical links from other websites to yours are, both for ranking on Google and appearing in AI results. This week, we jump into how to claim the backlinks that are already owed to you.
Here are all the people who should be linking to your website
Let me ask you something.
In the last 12 months, have you sponsored a local sports team? Donated to a charity? Partnered with another local business? Spoken at an event? Been featured in a local publication?
If you said yes to any of those: congratulations. You have already earned backlinks. You just never collected them.
Here is what happens in the real world. You sponsor the local little league team. They put your logo on their website. Maybe they write a post about their sponsors. But they never link to your website. They don't know they should. Nobody told them it mattered. And you never asked.
Same story with charities. They write a heartfelt post about the businesses that supported their fundraiser. Your name is there. Maybe even your logo. But no link. Just a mention that Google and AI cannot follow, cannot measure, and cannot use to decide whether to recommend you.
Same with business partnerships. You refer customers to each other. You collaborate. You might even be listed on each other's websites. But nobody ever thought to make those mentions into actual clickable links.
Same with speaking engagements. The event organizer puts your name and title on their website. Sometimes your photo. But the link to your business? Missing.
This is not anybody's fault. Most people simply do not know that a mention without a link is a missed opportunity. Now you do.
And here is what makes this so powerful: these are not cold opportunities you have to go hunt for. These are warm relationships you already have. People who already like you, trust you, and are happy to support you. All you have to do is ask.
A simple email. Five minutes of your time. And suddenly a mention becomes a backlink from a trusted local website.
One Practical Move
Go back through the last 12 months. Ask yourself three questions:
Who have I sponsored?
Who have I partnered with?
Where have I been mentioned, featured, or spoken?
Then visit every one of those websites. If there is no link to your business, send this email:
Hi [Name],
Thank you for featuring [your business name] on your website. I really appreciate the support.
I wanted to ask a small favour. Would you be able to add a link to our website [your URL] wherever you mention us? It helps people find us easily and makes a real difference for our online visibility.
Happy to return the favour if there is anything I can do for you.
Thanks again,[Your name]
Set up Google Alerts for your business name at google.com/alerts. It is completely free.
Every time someone mentions your business name online, Google will send you an email notification. Click the link, check if they included a backlink to your website, and if they didn't: send the email above.
You will never miss an unlinked mention again.
Next week: how to find brand new backlink opportunities you haven't tapped yet, including industry directories, local blogs, sponsored content, and strategic partnerships that work both ways.
Talk soon,
Fungai
Your Owwtreach Guy
Grow with Owwtreach
www.owwtreach.com