---
name: relationship-led-link-building
description: Build link opportunities through genuine publisher, expert, partner, and community relationships before asking for mentions or links. Use when planning reciprocity-first outreach, expert roundups, content promotion networks, partner collaboration, warm pitches, or long-term link relationship systems.
license: MIT
compatibility: Codex, Claude Code, and other Agent Skills-compatible clients.
metadata:
  version: "0.1.0"
  displayName: Relationship Led Link Building
  category: Marketing
  tags: seo,link-building,relationships,partnerships,outreach
---

# Relationship Led Link Building

Use this skill to create link-building systems that start with useful participation, promotion, and collaboration before direct link requests.

This skill is derived from Garrett French and Eric Ward's *Ultimate Guide to Link Building* and uses transformed guidance with durable book-topic references. Do not copy book prose into user outputs.

## Quick Start

1. Use the Contents table below to choose the smallest useful reference set.
2. Use `workflows/build-relationship-link-campaign.md` for a full relationship-led plan.
3. Map people and publishers before writing asks.
4. Create useful pre-ask actions: cite, share, feature, introduce, invite, or collaborate.
5. Track relationship state separately from link outcomes.

## Default Output

When asked for relationship-led link building, return:

1. **Relationship map** - people, organizations, audience, trust status, and history.
2. **Value-first actions** - credible ways to help or involve each prospect before the ask.
3. **Collaboration design** - expert survey, group interview, writing assignment, co-promotion, or partner asset.
4. **Ask timing** - when to ask, what to ask for, and what not to ask yet.
5. **Tool choices** - CRM, social/listening tools, feed reader, content calendar, outreach platform, and notes system.
6. **Measurement** - relationship progress, contributions, shares, mentions, links, and future opportunities.

## Contents

| Need | Start Here |
|------|------------|
| Understand relationship-led concepts | `references/core/knowledge.md` |
| Apply relationship rules | `references/core/rules.md` |
| See campaign examples | `references/core/examples.md` |
| Build campaign | `workflows/build-relationship-link-campaign.md` |

## Core Posture

- Earn attention before asking for attention.
- Relationships are assets even when they do not immediately produce links.
- Expert and publisher participation creates natural promotion paths.
- Keep asks proportionate to the relationship and audience value.
- Do not fake intimacy, favors, or prior engagement.