Success Story – Growing Domain Authority with Content Collaborations and Expert Quotes

Domain Authority (DA) grows when your content earns recognition, links, and trust from other reputable sources. One of the most effective ways to achieve this without direct outreach is by creating content that features expert quotes and encourages collaboration. When done right, contributors are more likely to share and link to your pages—creating a self-propelling cycle of visibility and backlinks.

In this fictional guide, we follow how a digital marketing SaaS platform grew its DA from 41 to 58 in under a year using a structured approach to quote-based content collaboration.

Why Expert Collaborations Help Improve DA

Content featuring external contributors or expert quotes tends to:

•   Attract backlinks from contributors' websites or portfolios
•   Be shared widely across LinkedIn, newsletters, and blogs
•   Build credibility and topical authority
•   Open doors to future guest posts and co-marketing opportunities

These tactics naturally support the strategies covered in Guest Blogging for DA Growth and Content Marketing to Improve DA.

The Scenario: Martech Brand Builds DA via Quote-Rich Content

A fictional brand, CampaignAxis, built email automation and analytics tools for small agencies.

Before they started:

•  DA: 41
•   Strong product pages and internal blog, but little external recognition
•  Backlinks mostly from software directories and comparison sites
•  No content featuring external voices or thought leadership

They decided to launch a quote-driven content strategy to increase engagement, trust, and backlinks.

Step 1: Identify Themes Ideal for Quote Aggregation

The content team shortlisted topics that would benefit from multiple viewpoints, such as:

•   “How Agencies Use Email Analytics to Improve ROI”
•   “Top Marketing Tools Every Freelancer Recommends in 2025”
•   “Best Time to Send Newsletters – 25 Experts Weigh In”

Each blog post was structured as a quote compilation and included:

•   Contributor photo, name, and designation
•   A do-follow link to their website or social profile
•   Short editorial framing for context and flow

They aligned these topics with keyword goals from On-Page SEO for DA.

Step 2: Outreach for Expert Contributions

They contacted 100+ professionals including:

•  Agency founders
•  Marketing consultants
•  Influencers in the automation space
•  Freelancers who had used their product

Each outreach email was personalized and included:

•  A clear question
•  Contribution deadline
•  A link to past quote-based articles as reference
•  The promise of a backlink and full credit

Response rate was 40%—resulting in 30+ quotes per post.

Step 3: Publish and Notify All Contributors

Each time a roundup was published:

•   Contributors were notified with a live link and preview
•  They were encouraged to share it on social and include it on their websites
•  The content was reshared as a carousel, PDF guide, and newsletter feature
•  Internal links connected quote posts to related service pages

Many contributors added the article to their “Featured In” or “Media” sections, earning high-authority do-follow backlinks in return.

Step 4: Build Relationships for Follow-Up Content and PR

Following the initial success, CampaignAxis:

•  Invited contributors to guest blog or co-author whitepapers
•  Created a podcast interview series with top contributors
•  Offered contributor badges (“Featured in CampaignAxis”) to display on personal sites
•  Sent end-of-year roundups to all collaborators with backlink tracking highlights

This resulted in new backlinks, mentions, and invites to industry roundups, further amplifying their online presence.

Refer also to Using Social Media to Boost DA for network-powered content sharing.

Hypothetical DA Growth Timeline with Collaborative Content

This timeline is illustrative, showing how strategic collaborations steadily support DA.

Why This Strategy Worked

It Gave Contributors a Reason to Link

By offering visibility, backlinks, and branded assets, the brand created a win-win situation—earning organic links.

Content Was Human-Centric and Credible

Instead of SEO-driven filler, these quote posts were expert-led, trustworthy, and deeply relevant to readers.

Relationships Multiplied Outcomes

Each contributor became a micro-promoter—bringing in links, shares, and future opportunities.

How to Start Using Collaborations to Build DA

•  Identify 3–5 themes where expert opinions add value
•  Shortlist 50–100 relevant voices in your niche
•  Reach out with clear pitch and value
•  Structure posts with SEO, shareability, and visuals in mind
•  Notify, tag, and follow up with contributors for linkbacks
•  Monitor DA improvement using best DA tracking tools

Want help setting up a collaborative content strategy that earns backlinks? contact Ideas to Reach or check out our SEO Services.