Chris Panteli on How To Build Local PR, The Death Of HARO, and Getting High Quality Backlinks.
In this value-packed episode, Danny Leibrandt, founder of Pest Control SEO, chats with Chris Panteli, the co-founder of Linkify, a leading digital PR and link-building agency specializing in high-quality, high-domain-rating backlinks. Together, they explore the transformative power of PR for local service businesses and its critical role in building authority, driving SEO results, and growing brand visibility. Chris shares his fascinating journey, from running a family-owned fish and chip shop to discovering the potential of digital PR and building one of the top link-building agencies in the industry. He provides actionable insights on how local service business owners, like pest control experts, roofers, and plumbers, can leverage their real-world expertise to secure editorially-earned links, grow their reputation, and stand out in competitive markets. Key highlights include: Chris’s personal story and the evolution of Linkify over the last four years. Why local service businesses are the perfect fit for digital PR and how to position your expertise for maximum impact. The decline of HARO (Help a Reporter Out), what caused it, and alternatives like SOS (Source of Sources) to connect with journalists. How to build a curated list of journalists and publications to pitch your stories. The importance of earned media versus paid links and why quality links always beat quantity. The future of PR and the increasing role of social media, video content, and storytelling in driving visibility. Chris and Danny also dive into practical strategies for integrating PR into your marketing efforts, such as creating compelling stories, understanding the news cycle, and using PR to protect against algorithm updates. They discuss how to blend PR with on-page SEO to build a robust and balanced online presence that ranks well and converts. Whether you're a pest control business owner, a digital marketing professional, or just someone interested in learning more about the synergy between PR and SEO, this episode is packed with expert tips, real-world examples, and actionable advice. 📌 Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Chris Pantelli 06:05 The Evolution of Linkify and Its Services 12:24 The Importance of Local Service Businesses in PR 16:42 Understanding HARO and Its Transition 26:39 Building a Personal Brand for Local Businesses 37:58 The Importance of Brand Awareness 41:01 Getting Started with PR for Local Businesses 44:11 Building Relationships with Local Journalists 49:02 Understanding Quality Metrics in PR 57:12 The Future of PR and Social Media 📌 Key Takeaways: - Local service businesses can capitalize on their expertise to secure media coverage. - PR links are invaluable for boosting authority, trust, and search rankings. - Content creation, personal branding, and social media are essential for staying competitive. - Earned media is far more impactful than paid links and drives real results. Chris Pantelli, Co-Founder of Linkify: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-panteli/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Linkifi_ Website: https://linkifi.io/ Danny Leibrandt, Founder of Pest Control SEO: Facebook: https://facebook.com/DannyLeibrandt LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/dannyleibrandt/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DannyLeibrandt Website: https://dannyleibrandt.com Pest Control SEO: https://pestcontrolseo.com/ Pest Control SEO Podcast Platforms: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PestControlSEO/podcasts Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1TCL0LhZbsJS6mzanqnnT1?si=7d918c77a6234ce2 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pest-control-seo-podcast/id1741176782 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/e0bb5254-5d6c-4940-8211-085157cc1239/pest-control-seo-podcast Audible: https://www.audible.com/podcast/Pest-Control-SEO-Podcast/B0D1FCN28S?action_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp #LinkBuilding #DigitalPR #LocalSEO #PestControlMarketing #SEOExperts #EarnedMedia #BrandAwareness
