For example, a former colleague of mine has Type 1 diabetes and is trying to raise $50K for the American Diabetes Association. I have a site on RLS and discovered a 27% correlation between people with diabetes and restless legs… so it was a great fit to post a link to his blog from my blog, encouraging my readers to donate (and I made a donation of my own as well).

But I’m really careful not to spam other blogs. If I’m really interested in their blog then I’ll be sure to build a relationship before posting links, and even then I’ll only post a link if there truly is a “link” that’s worth making.

And in many cases, just putting your website in the Comment field is enough. If people like your comment, then they’ll click your name to view your site.

I don’t get the link politics AT ALL. I find that I just naturally develop relationships with bloggers who respond to my comments and/or links to them. I find that if they link back to me, I’m naturally more predisposed to keep linking to them from time to time. But you know, if and when someone gets hostile because I’ve linked to both them and their arch nemesis, or suggests that because I used to link to them I should continue to do so, or whatever, I’ll respond like you did. “Buh-bye!”

Beautiful advice, I reckon if you get a large enough audience the non traditional way you end up controlling some of the volume and the old people want in your circle.

Now where is the non traditional market

“Another thing: Don’t take it personal. It’s just the way the game is played.”

Also good advice.

That may mean moving out of what you think is the typical market for your blog. There are a whole lot of people out there with blogs that aren’t fitting tightly into your niche, but are interested. And bring interested readers with them.

When you do get your readership built, REMEMBER. It’s not about holding onto resentment or being bitter–but remember who’s an ass and who isn’t. No use giving the asses more eyeballs to toy with .

Another thing: Don’t take it personal. It’s just the way the game is played.

I think it’s going to get EVEN HARDER

Amen. My girlfriend calls people who don’t link to me “stupid”. She doesn’t understand the link politics, and really, I have a difficult time even explaining them.