In the world of SEO, the link building specialist role is often underappreciated.
Nonetheless, outreach managers are what makes the link building world turn.
If not us, then who’s going to build those links?
In this article, we’ll be going through:
- What a link building specialist does and how much pay you can expect
- How to hire a link building specialist into your company or agency
- How to become a link building specialist yourself
P.S This article was written by a link building specialist.
Link building cheat sheet
Link Building Specialist Job Description
The job description of a link building specialist revolves around improving a website’s search engine rankings through strategic acquisition of high quality backlinks.
Here are some of the core responsibilities:
- Building links and continuously improving the link building strategy and overall SEO strategy
- Writing content and contributing to guest posting campaigns
- Managing outreach and conversations with partners across relevant websites
- Finding new link opportunities through keyword research, competitor analysis, and Google Search Console
- Executing broken link building campaigns and identifying broken links
- Improving local SEO through mentions and citations
- Monitoring SEO performance using tools like Google Analytics and other SEO tools
A successful SEO link building specialist also works closely with content and technical SEO teams to ensure all link building efforts align with the broader SEO strategy and contribute to long-term growth in organic traffic.
Since effective link building is a time-consuming and intricate process, it’s essential to have a dedicated team member focused on these tasks.
This ensures consistent, high-quality link acquisition that can significantly boost your website’s performance.
There are two types of companies who can benefit from hiring a link building specialist.
Startups and Companies Looking to Improve Their Online Visibility
For startups and growing companies aiming to enhance their online presence, hiring an in-house link building specialist can be a game changer because:
- Employing a full-time specialist is often cheaper than outsourcing the entire process to a link building service. You avoid high agency fees and retain control over your budget.
- With an in-house team member, you have greater transparency and direct oversight of the link-building activities. This means real-time updates, faster communication, and alignment with your company’s specific objectives and values.
- An in-house specialist can tailor strategies that are specifically geared towards your unique market and business goals. They can pivot quickly based on performance metrics and emerging opportunities.
This is especially true for companies in competitive markets like the United States or cities like New York, where a strong backlink profile and quality backlinks can significantly impact search engine rankings.
SEO, Link Building, and Branding Agencies
For agencies, link building specialists are their bread and butter.
The more good specialists you can hire, the more clients you can serve, and, of course, make more money.
As your client base grows, having specialists allows you to scale your backlink profile operations without compromising quality.
Multiple specialists can work concurrently on different projects, maximizing efficiency and results.
Additionally, by having dedicated link builders, agencies can offer more comprehensive SEO packages, setting themselves apart from competitors who may use a less personalized approach.
Many agencies position themselves as a full-service link building company, offering scalable outreach and content-driven campaigns across multiple clients.
Becoming a Link Building Specialist is a Great Career Opportunity
Starting a career as a link building specialist offers numerous benefits, especially for individuals looking to break into the marketing field:
- This role provides an excellent entry point into the broader marketing industry. You can start with minimal specific knowledge and learn on the job, which makes it accessible to many.
- As you engage in link building, you’ll acquire a variety of skills including SEO principles, content strategy, digital marketing techniques, and analytics. These skills are transferable and valuable in various marketing roles.
- With experience, a link building specialist can advance to higher-level roles such as marketing manager, content manager, or SEO specialist/SEO manager. The foundational skills and insights gained through link building can pave the way for a robust career in digital marketing.
- The nature of link building requires creativity, strategic thinking, and constant learning, making it a stimulating and rewarding career path. You get the opportunity to work with diverse industries and stay abreast of the latest trends in digital marketing.
Many professionals start as a digital marketing associate or digital marketing specialist before advancing into roles like digital marketing manager or senior SEO specialist.
Link Building Specialist Salary
According to Glassdoor, the average link building specialist salary in the United States hovers around 60K/year.
But, in reality, this role is one of the most outsourced in the entire business and you can hire a link builder overseas for as little as $1000-$1500/month.
But, for example, for a person from countries like Ukraine, The Philippines, or India, $1000 monthly can be considered on the high end – especially compared to local salaries.
The nature of the job also easily lends itself to remote work because:
- It’s easily trackable even without employee monitoring software
- It’s an easy job to learn
- All you need to start link building is a laptop and internet connection
- Hiring remote helps you save costs on office space and equipment
Additional Considerations
A link building expert relies heavily on software to do their job effectively.
Not just outreach software – but also SEO monitoring and project tracking tools.
Of course these tools also have costs associated with using them.
Examples of such tools are:
- Respona for outreach (starting at $399/month)
- Ahrefs (from €119/mo), Semrush (from $139.95/mo) or Moz (from $49/mo) for SEO reporting
- Asana, Trello and Slack for project management and communication have free versions – but those can only work for smaller teams and projects.
- Tools like Screaming Frog can also be used for technical audits, identifying broken link opportunities, and improving the overall backlink profile.
Additionally, if you’re hiring a beginner, naturally, it will take them a month or two to get the ropes and actually start getting you a return on your investment.
How to Hire a Link Building Specialist?
While hiring freelancers might seem cost-effective initially, having an in-house employee dedicated solely to your project offers several advantages:
- Focused сommitment
- Better understanding of company goals
- Greater Control and Transparency
When defining the ideal candidate, consider their experience with outreach, content, and SEO strategy, as well as whether the role will be full-time, freelance, or another job type.
While a background in computer science is not required, strong analytical skills and familiarity with SEO tools, Google Analytics, and Google Search Console are important for measuring SEO performance and optimizing link building efforts.
One of the most straightforward methods to attract qualified candidates is by posting a job listing.
Websites like Indeed, Glassdoor, and Workable are excellent places to post your job listings.
These platforms have extensive reach and allow you to filter candidates based on experience, location, and other relevant criteria.
Next, make sure you have a careers page on your website – with all current vacancies listed.
Applicants visiting your website can learn more about your company, which can attract highly motivated candidates who align with your business values.
Socials are also great , especially LinkedIn, to announce your vacancy.
Using a “We’re Hiring” banner can catch the attention of professionals in your network and beyond.
LinkedIn, in particular, offers targeted job postings that can reach potential candidates based on their profile and activity.
Social media platforms can also help you promote your opening and attract candidates with relevant digital marketing and outreach experience.
These passive strategies are especially well-suited if you’re looking for a beginner or moderately experienced link builder.
If you need someone with experience, you’ll have to do some manual hunting and outreach to try and recruit them into your team.
Here are three strategies for manual outreach:
- Use LinkedIn’s advanced search features to find profiles of people who are or have been link building specialists.
Look for individuals who have skills and endorsements related to SEO, digital marketing, and link building. Sending personalized messages can make your outreach more effective.
- Many SEO professionals maintain blogs where they share insights and tips about link building and other SEO strategies.
Reach out to these bloggers directly, as they often have extensive experience and might be open to new opportunities. Their passion for the field is evident through their content, making them excellent candidates.
- SEO Forums and Communities Participate in online forums and communities dedicated to SEO, such as Reddit’s r/SEO or Warrior Forum.
These platforms attract knowledgeable professionals who might be interested in your job offer.
How to Become a Link Building Specialist?
To get started with everything you need to know about link building, we recommend two free courses.
The first is our own link building course, divided into three modules:
- Intro and history of link building
- Step-by-step instructions for 15 link building strategies with and without Respona
- Technical setup, how to write a good pitch, and build long-term collaborations
The second is the Complete SEO Straining Course by Ahrefs. It’s a great, digestible course that covers just about every aspect of SEO so that you can learn a bit more about on-page and technical SEO in addition to link building.
Outsourcing Link Building
If hiring and managing a link building specialist feels too resource-intensive, outsourcing is a strong alternative.
With Respona’s done-for-you link building option, you get a fully managed solution handled by experienced outreach specialists. This includes prospecting, outreach, follow-ups, and link placement so you can focus on growing your business instead of managing campaigns.
This approach is especially useful if:
- You don’t have in-house SEO expertise
- You want faster results without a ramp-up period
- You prefer predictable, scalable link acquisition
Additionally, Respona’s Campaigns feature allows you to track performance across all your outreach efforts, including visibility in AI-powered search experiences, giving you a clearer picture of how your link building impacts overall brand presence.
This makes it a strong alternative to hiring an in-house link builder or working with a traditional link building service.
Now Over to You
So, what’s the best way to hire a link building specialist?
It depends on what kind of company you are.
For agencies, it’s better to actively seek out potential employees and hire “instant talent”.
For companies that just need someone to manage link building internally, we would suggest hiring a beginner and teaching them the basics yourself.
This way, you can hire great talent on a budget – it will just take them a little more time to start getting those links.
Need help scaling up your link building?
Don’t hesitate to start your 14-day free trial with Respona to see how we can help.
Or, if you’d rather stay hands-off, explore our done-for-you link building and let our team handle everything for you: from prospecting to placement.
Link building cheat sheet
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What Does a Link Building Specialist Do?
An SEO link building specialist is responsible for acquiring high quality backlinks and quality backlinks that enhance a website’s search engine rankings and organic traffic.
This involves strategizing, researching potential link partners, executing outreach campaigns, negotiating link placements, and monitoring the results.
What Skills Are Essential for a Link Building Specialist?
Essential skills include a strong understanding of SEO principles, excellent research capabilities, proficiency in outreach and communication, and familiarity with SEO tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Moz.
Analytical skills are also crucial for evaluating the success of link building campaigns and adjusting strategies accordingly.
How Do Link Building Specialists Find Link Opportunities?
They use methods like competitor analysis, keyword research, and prospecting relevant websites through tools like Google Search and SEO tools.
Tools like Respona, Google Search, Ahrefs, and specialized SEO software help streamline the process of finding high quality link opportunities and website owners with their contact information.
What Metrics Do Link Building Specialists Track?
Key metrics include the number of backlinks acquired, the quality and relevancy of linking domains (measured by domain authority), the referral traffic generated from these links, and the impact on search engine rankings.
Tools like Google Analytics and backlink analysis software are often used for tracking these metrics.
What Is the Typical Salary Range for a Link Building Specialist?
The salary of a link building efforts specialist can vary widely depending on experience, location, and the specific employer.
On average, entry-level specialists may earn around $1,200/month if you’re outsourcing and as much as $4,500-$6,000/month if you’re hiring in America.
