Link Building Team: How to Build a Strong One

Creating your own link-building team in-house can completely transform how your agency climbs the search engine ranks. If done right, you’ll be able to focus on other crucial parts of your business while keeping those valuable backlinks coming in strong.

But let’s be real: assembling a top-notch team isn’t exactly easy.

First off, it costs money.

Think about it: every team member needs a salary, and the right tools to succeed. Plus, as your client base grows, so does your need for more specialists to handle the workload.

Therefore, the more clients your agency has, the bigger the team you need to keep everything under control and running smoothly. That’s why link-building team management is critical to staying ahead.

In this article, we'll explore how to put together a skilled link-building team that consistently delivers results. From hiring the right people to equipping them with the right tools, we’ll cover it all.

Let's get started!

How Much a Link-Building Team Costs

Alright, let’s talk numbers.

Building a top-notch link-building team isn’t cheap, but it’s a smart investment for solid traffic flows and improved ROI.

So, what’s it gonna cost you?

First off, hiring a link builder in the U.S. typically runs between $60,000 and $80,000 per year. That's a pretty penny, right?

But if you look at places like Eastern Europe, you can find talented link builders for around $1,500 to $3,000 a month. Not too shabby if you’re looking to save some cash…

But salaries are just one part of the puzzle.

You’ve also got to budget for all the tools your team will need to work their magic. And those add up quicker than you'd think!

For example, at Editorial.Link, our link-building team uses the following 13 tools daily:

1. Ahrefs -  an indispensable link-building tool beloved by thousands of teams around the globe. It helps you discover backlinks, analyze competitors' link profiles, and find link opportunities. By the way, according to our recent survey of 113 SEO experts, the tool is rated the best all-in-one solution for 64.6% of the surveyed.
2. SimilarWeb - this handy tool provides insights into website traffic and audience behavior, helping link-building teams identify popular content and potential partners for outreach.
3. Hunter.io - finds and verifies email addresses associated with a domain, making it easier for teams to contact potential link partners.
4. Snov.io - automates finding, verifying, and sending emails to streamline link-building outreach efforts.
5. GetProspect - extracts LinkedIn profiles and emails, helping teams identify and gather contact details for potential link-building targets.
6. Skrapp.io - helps find verified email addresses from LinkedIn profiles to enhance outreach campaigns.
7. Briskine - provides email templates for outreach, saving time, and ensuring consistent communication with potential link partners.
8. Moz - another reputable all-in-one solution for analyzing domain authority and link profiles, helping teams find high-quality link prospects and track their progress.
9. Grammarly - checks grammar and style, ensuring that outreach emails are professional and error-free, which is crucial for building relationships.
10. Nofollow extension - highlights nofollow links on webpages, helping teams prioritize dofollow links that pass link equity in their outreach efforts.
11. Copywritely - analyzes and optimizes content for SEO, helping teams create high-quality content that naturally attracts backlinks.
12. SEO Meta in 1 Click -  provides instant access to a webpage's meta tags, allowing teams to analyze competitors' SEO strategies and improve their link-building efforts.
13. ChatGPT - assists with generating content ideas, making smooth outreach emails, and brainstorming link-building strategies to save time and boost creativity.

Interestingly, 44.2% of SEO specialists from our survey use AI tools in their link-building strategies to enhance efficiency and results.

How to Set Up an Amazing Link-Building Team

Building a successful link-building team requires careful planning, strategic hiring, and effective management. Plus, a strong team should consist of a mix of in-house experts, agency-side professionals, and freelancers to bring diverse skills and perspectives.

Let's explore how you can set up a team that delivers exceptional results.

Hiring process

To assemble a strong link-building team, you need to find the right people. As they are the foundation of your success.

We prioritize candidates with (at least) a minimal understanding of SEO and link building. This knowledge can be gained through courses or self-study.

Our hiring process is straightforward but thorough.

We start with interviews to get a feel for each candidate’s skills and personality.

Usually, we focus on the following key areas:

Then, we provide a trial assignment to see how they handle real-world tasks.

In our experience, candidates who completed courses and have backgrounds in sales or marketing often excel in these trials. They tend to be goal-oriented, eager to learn, and able to adapt quickly.

To find potential team members, you can explore platforms like LinkedIn, Upwork, Glassdoor, and Indeed.

These platforms are rich with talent, allowing you to connect with individuals who have the right mix of skills and passion for link-building.

Why stress over building your own link-building team when you can have our pros do it for you? At Editorial.Link, we specialize in creating high-quality backlinks. You cave time, money, and energy by partnering with our experienced team of link-building experts. Let us handle the heavy lifting while you focus on growing your business!

Most important skills for a potential link builder

What makes someone a great link builder?

We think it boils down to a few key skills that really set the best apart from the rest:

The ability to learn quickly

Link-building is always changing, with new trends and techniques popping up all the time. To succeed, you need to be able to learn and adapt quickly.

Whether it's keeping up with the latest SEO updates or figuring out a new tool, being a quick learner keeps you ahead of the game.

Discipline and motivation

It’s all about consistent effort and dedication. Those who thrive are the ones who are truly motivated and disciplined. They show up every day ready to tackle challenges and find creative solutions.

Grammar

Clear, error-free communication is crucial for our outreach efforts.

Whether you're sending emails or crafting content, strong grammar skills ensure that your message is professional and effective. Mistakes can be a turn-off, so having an eye for detail really matters.

Perseverance

This is another trait we look for; link building is challenging, and the best candidates are those who don’t give up easily. In fact, nearly half of the respondents (47.8%) from our survey consider link building the toughest aspect of SEO.

Finally, even a basic understanding of SEO principles can set a candidate apart, as it provides a foundation for more advanced learning.

What KPIs We Use for Our Team

Setting clear goals (Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)) for our team helps keep everyone focused and moving in the right direction. At Editorial.Link, we've got some simple KPIs that guide us to success.

We ask each link builder to aim for 40 links a month. For new hires, we start with a target of 15 links a month during their trial period.

This gives them time to learn our processes and get comfortable. These KPIs aren’t just about hitting numbers; they’re about ensuring our team delivers great results while continuing to grow and improve.

How many links can a link building team build?

If you set clear goals and continuously support your team, they’ll consistently produce quality links that boost your clients' success and strengthen your agency's reputation.

Most Challenging Aspects of Link Building Team Management

Managing a link-building team comes with its own set of challenges.

One of the biggest hurdles is finding new people who are motivated, disciplined, and genuinely interested in the work. The talent pool can be competitive, and identifying candidates who are the right fit takes time and effort.

Once you've assembled your team, maintaining a high level of motivation and ensuring that everyone meets their KPIs can be tough.

You need to create and maintain a positive work environment where team members feel supported and valued. Regular feedback, clear communication, and opportunities for professional growth are all part of keeping your team engaged and productive.

Conclusion

Assembling an in-house link-building team can be tough and expensive, but it's definitely worth it. From finding the right people to managing the team, every step needs careful planning.

Remember, creating a team that’s great at link-building takes time and effort. But with dedication and the right strategies, you can build a team that gets results and boosts your agency’s success.

Remember, creating a team that’s great at link-building takes time and effort. But with dedication and the right strategies, you can build a team that gets results and boosts your agency’s success.

Enjoy the benefits of a dedicated link-building team without the overhead! Say goodbye to the headaches of recruitment and training—let us be your link-building powerhouse. Contact Editorial.Link now and watch your rankings soar!