Link exchange requests have a very bad reputation. The reason for that is that many people send mass link exchange requests that are nothing friendly for SEO more than spam.
However, if you want to get links from authority sites, you have to send link exchange requests. The secret of successful requests is to write link exchange messages that aren’t spam.
Get the reader’s attention
If you want people to read your link exchange message, it should not sound like the dozens of other emails that the webmaster receives. Use the recipient’s real name throughout your message. If your message starts with “Dear webmaster” then it’s likely that it will be moved to the trash. Be personal. Write a personal message for each recipient.
Use a real email address with a real name as the sender address. Free email addresses and email addresses with numbers look spammy.
Get the reader’s interest
What’s in for me? You should answer that question as soon as possible in your email.
Do not list any features. Focus on benefits. First, nobody is really interested in the great features of your website. Tell the recipient how your website solves his problems or the problems of his readers.
Appeal to the ego of the recipient. Tell the recipient that you list only 10 websites in this special category and that he is in that top 10 list. It’s easier to convince people if you appeal to their ego.