A travel site I developed is only a few months old and is already well ranked in Google for some fairly good traffic terms. It's also getting good traffic due to (now what was that term Adam used...ah yes "people" links - novel idea that...).

A significant number of idiots (oops site managers) insist on have a minimum PR'X' before they will link back...

Can anyone drop me stickys/links to info that may convince these titans of intellect why PR is NOT so important.

Signed...idiotologist

Best way: just don't exchange links with idiots. It sounds like you're working on your web site in a smart, forward-looking way. Why even send your visitors to what could be fly-by-night operations?

Originally Posted by ForrestCroce

Best way: just don't exchange links with idiots. It sounds like you're working on your web site in a smart, forward-looking way. Why even send your visitors to what could be fly-by-night operations?

Actually I'm happy

Originally Posted by ForrestCroce

Best way: just don't exchange links with idiots. It sounds like you're working on your web site in a smart, forward-looking way. Why even send your visitors to what could be fly-by-night operations?

Actually the link partners I am trying to work with have good sites with relevant content... they just don't seem to understand the PR issue.

Sweet! I'm converting people with my unique brand of brute-force tactless commentary. Rockin'!

seolman: give me a day or two because I'm working on a blog post that will pretty well explain all of this idiocy. (I'm taking a break right now because I accidentally clicked off of it in WP and I didn't save a portion of it so I'm a little pissed with myself right now).

In the meantime, here's what I'd do...if they're useful, link to the site in a contextuallly appropriate manner (i.e. a user-friendly link). Don't ask for a link back. Don't send a link exchange request. Don't do anything else. Just give 'em the link and wait.

Your Costa Rica site is good enough that eventually (and likely sooner rather than later) it will attract organic links and steadily increasing traffic. What does that mean? More traffic to the link that you're providing. Eventually you'll get a contextual link back, and that'll be better than any SEO link exchange.

In other words, let your users make the link exchange request for you.

I get a few link requests per week, and never even reply, x-linking is dead, its old hat, you doing well without it, soon they will be asking you for the links, and you can say no

Good stuff. Thanks Adam for the friendly link idea...

If they don't understand then they are not worth the time or the link...

Law Heels Direct is right. They're not worth the time. Link to them if it helps your users, and expect them to notice you in their referral logs. That's what PR is hoping to bring, so if you cut out the middle man, that will be their education.

heh guess I'm not the only person who saw "Law Heels" at first.

David: no problem, dude. Hope it works out for you...and your users!

Originally Posted by seolman

A travel site I developed is only a few months old and is already well ranked in Google for some fairly good traffic terms. It's also getting good traffic due to (now what was that term Adam used...ah yes "people" links - novel idea that...).

A significant number of idiots (oops site managers) insist on have a minimum PR'X' before they will link back...

Can anyone drop me stickys/links to info that may convince these titans of intellect why PR is NOT so important.

Signed...idiotologist

If they don't want to link exchange with you because of your PR0 or less PR offer them links from one of your blog that has good PR. Offer them a three way link.

Yeah you can do that, take your best blog and offer three way link. Else forget them, there are loads of other non-idiots out there looking for you.

If they don't want to link exchange with you because of your PR0 or less PR offer them links from one of your blog that has good PR. Offer them a three way link.

And there you are!!!!!!
The muddy thinking that you HAVE to get links anywhere and every where.

just ignore the idiots. ANYBODY who thinks that PR is important is obviously to stupid to get a decent, sensible linking stategy.

The odd link exchange email I get, because the idiots find it too difficult to actually visit a site (I don't have a webmaster @ on ANY site I have) , gets binned INSTANTLY

And don't even bother trying PMs because THAT WILL GET YOU A REPLY, and it won't be something you want to hear !!!!!!!!!!!!!

you should see the crappy links people put to my site, and then ask for a link in return, they put so little effort into it, obviously just doing it because they have been told they should, but no understanding of the value, yeah I never reply either