When Mike announced his blog party contest, I saw it as an opportunity, not only to enter, but also to finish an article I had been planning for a little while.
Mike is using a technique that I find very creative in boosting linkage and exposure for his new network - one I believe can be very effective when done properly.
The article is called
Three Creative Link Building Techniques and it looks at Adagio's link rewards program - offering something for free (because, let's face it, people just like free stuff). But Adagio is doing it in a way that also builds their brand and a following of loyal customers.
The second creative technique is Mike's own blog party contest. He is filling a need that people have - to feel like winners. The possibility of feeling like a winner is what drives most people to enter contests in the first place and he may end up with a great number of inbound links for a small cost.
And the last technique, although not new, is one that shouldn't be overlooked - creating something of value and sharing it with the world.
When you take the time to provide information, dress it up a little bit, and let a few people know about it - chances are the linkage will build up over time and the only thing it cost you was the amount of time it took you to compile the information.
If it's a subject that you're passionate about and love, then it won't even feel as though you're working.