Be sure to clearly state the anchor text you want when you’re doing reciprocal linking. If a webmaster proposes “super keyword rich links” to you, then they shouldn’t have a problem giving you the same.
Include a link to the page in your email where you have the link to the site for which you’re asking. This shows professionalism and efficiency. Most people are nice, so you’ll likely get a link back.
Be personal in the email. People encounter a lot of fakeness and put-on “niceness” throughout the day, so being to the point, while speaking as though you know someone, gets warmer responses. Don’t cross the boundary, of course; keep in mind some basic standards. Still, it’s a good idea to throw away the official garbage.
It’s important to have value on your site, because personally, having a quality website, I do not want to link out to a low quality site, even if I’m doing search engine optimization. This brings us to the core of SEO – give and receive. If you can give a lot, you will receive a lot. If I benefit my visitors by pointing to your pages, I will do it on my own, without requests, so be sure to invest heavily of both time and money in your website first. Invest in links second.
Over the years, Google has gotten better at detecting link exchanges, so the time spent asking for links can be invested in content and site development to entice more of the natural links.
Go for reciprocal links only from valuable resources. Hundreds of mediocre link trades have no value. The tactic has been overused and abused, so search engines discount the value of reciprocals. The best ways to get links in today’s web economy is to invest heavily in content. Content may be written, or it may come in the form of software, tools, entertainment or whatever makes your industry tick. Check forums and social networks to learn what people want. Then give it to them.