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LinkscopePersonal notes on backlinks, outreach, and judgment — from Amsterdam.
Sophie de Vries
Sophie de VriesAmsterdam · sophie@linkscope.net
Outreach & PR · Topic hub

Outreach & PR

Sophie de VriesBy Sophie de VriesIndependent SEO consultant · Amsterdam

I've been ignored more times than I can count. Cold emails that never got a reply, pitches that vanished into inboxes, guest post offers that felt like spam. That's why I built this cluster — to share what I've learned from the rejections and the rare wins. Outreach isn't about blasting templates. It's about understanding the person on the other end and offering something they actually want.

These guides cover the full spectrum: from HARO responses to digital PR campaigns, from guest posting to link acquisition. I've tested most of these methods myself, and I'll tell you which ones are worth your time and which are overhyped. Every guide includes real examples, decision criteria, and the kind of lived-in detail you only get from doing this day in, day out.

If you're new to outreach, start with the three guides I recommend below. If you're experienced, skip to the section on what I skip or push back on — I have strong opinions about mass outreach and link networks. Either way, you'll find something here that saves you from making the same mistakes I did.

At a glance

Guides in this cluster
10
Outreach methods covered
6
Templates included
5
Years of personal experience
8

In this topic

Medium riskDigital PR LinksDigital PR links are editorial backlinks earned through newsworthy content. Learn how to run campaigns that journalists actually cover and build high-authority links.Read →Medium riskGuest Posting SitesLearn how to find quality guest posting sites, vet them for real traffic and relevance, and avoid spam risks. Practical guide with outreach templates and Google compliance tips.Read →Medium riskGuest Posting SitesLearn how to find and evaluate quality guest posting sites for real SEO results. Includes search operators, evaluation checklist, outreach templates, and key metrics to track.Read →Medium riskGuest PostsGuest posts can still earn backlinks and traffic when done right. I explain how to vet sites, pitch editors, and buy placements without crossing Google's lines.Read →Medium riskGuestographicsGuestographics merge infographic creation with guest post outreach. Learn how to earn contextual backlinks with visual assets, plus benchmarks and risks.Read →Medium riskHaro Link BuildingHARO link building can land strong editorial backlinks, but the hit rate is low. Here's how to pitch journalists effectively and when to skip the query.Read →Medium riskLink AcquisitionLink acquisition explained: a proven 5-stage framework for earning quality backlinks. Data-backed tactics, pricing benchmarks, and provider comparisons from an SEO specialist.Read →Medium riskLink Building OutreachLink building outreach guide: step-by-step workflow, benchmarks, email templates, and common mistakes. Sophie de Vries shares what actually works in 2026.Read →Medium riskLink Building PlanA link building plan turns random outreach into a repeatable process. Learn how to audit, prospect, pitch, and scale what works. No shortcuts, just honest tactics.Read →Medium riskPR BacklinksPR backlinks can boost SEO when editorial, but many are nofollow. I explain how they work, risks, and best practices for real ranking impact.Read →

How I use these guides

I treat this cluster as my personal playbook for earning links through communication. Each guide tackles a different angle, and I rotate between them depending on the client, the niche, and the goal. Here are the ones I reach for most often:

  • Digital PR Links — for when I need scale and authority without cold outreach.
  • Guest Posting Sites — my curated list of sites that actually accept contributions.
  • HARO Link Building — the systematic approach to responding to journalist queries.
  • Link Acquisition — the broader strategy for getting links from any source.
  • PR Backlinks — how to turn press mentions into permanent links.
  • Guestographics — a visual twist on guest posting that often gets higher acceptance rates.

Start with these three

If you're short on time or just getting started, these three guides will give you the biggest return for your effort:

  • HARO Link Building — low barrier to entry, no cold emailing required, and you can start today.
  • Guest Posting Sites — the classic method, but only if you pick the right targets. This guide shows you how.
  • Digital PR Links — for when you want to earn links at scale by creating newsworthy content.

Read them in that order if you're brand new. If you already have some experience, jump straight to digital PR — it's where the real leverage is.

What I skip or push back on

I've tried a lot of outreach tactics over the years, and some are just not worth your time. Here's what I actively avoid:

  • Mass automated outreach — tools that blast hundreds of identical emails. Even with personalization tokens, it's obvious and gets ignored. I've seen reply rates below 0.5%.
  • Link networks and PBNs — they might work short-term, but the risk of a manual action is too high. I'd rather earn one real link than ten from a network.
  • Buying links from Fiverr or random marketplaces — almost always low-quality, irrelevant, and likely to hurt your site in the long run. I cover this more in the Buying & Hiring cluster.
  • Guest post farms — sites that exist only to publish guest posts. They have no real audience, no editorial standards, and Google tends to devalue them over time.

My rule of thumb: if the outreach feels spammy to you, it will feel spammy to the recipient. Trust that instinct.

Related clusters

Outreach doesn't exist in a vacuum. These clusters will help you build the foundation you need before you start pitching:

  • Start Here — if you're new to link building, start with the basics before diving into outreach.
  • Methods I Use — a broader look at all the link building techniques I rely on, including outreach.
  • How I Judge Links — learn how to evaluate whether a link opportunity is worth pursuing before you send that email.

Frequently asked questions

How many outreach emails should I send per day?

I usually send between 10 and 30 personalized emails per day. More than that and the quality drops. It's better to send 10 well-researched emails than 100 generic ones. Track your reply rate and adjust based on what you see.

Should I use a template for outreach?

Yes, but only as a starting point. I keep a skeleton template for structure, but I rewrite the first paragraph for every recipient. Mention something specific about their site or recent content. Templates work when they feel like they were written just for that person.

Is HARO still effective in 2026?

Yes, but it's more competitive than ever. The key is to respond quickly (within the first hour) and to provide genuinely useful quotes. Don't just pitch your link — offer expertise. I've earned links from Forbes, Inc., and niche publications using HARO, but I also get ignored 90% of the time. That's normal.

What's the best way to follow up on an outreach email?

Wait 5–7 days, then send a short follow-up that adds value. Don't just say 'following up.' Reference something new — maybe a recent post they published or a relevant piece of content you created. Keep it to one follow-up max. If they don't reply after that, move on.