Backlinks are links which are placed around the web for the purpose of getting a higher search rank in Google. This works because Google looks for relevant searches which then are directed back to your site. Several different methods for implementing this technique successfully will be covered since the ultimate issue of linking lies in getting your web page out there into the world of visible websites.
To begin to create a useful backlink you need to decide on a good niche to hone in on and stay focused on that. For example if you are trying to attract people to your site through the text "old gray books", then keep using that phrase at all the sites your link will be on instead variations like "ancient dark books" or "gray antique tombs". Pick one targeted phrase and stick to it.
The first step is fairly simple but the second can start to become problematic. Unless one has a large number of forums or other kinds of web discussion available, distributing backlinks through that method can quickly turn out to be unproductive since it would first require a following willing to listen and then it may simply be marked as spam anyway, thus wasting a lot of valuable time. Another often mentioned way to spread backlinks is by manually asking other websites to post your link, something they are unlikely to do without some form of compensation.
While many aspects of computing requires a strong, technically orientated left brain outlook, distributing backlinks will be a task which gets the juices in the brain's left hemisphere flowing. Be creative. More and more sites are being built around followers which is perfect for backlinking. Take advantage of Twitter, Facebook, Digg, and others. If you choose to upload a video to YouTube be sure not to forget about Metacafe or Dailymotion too.
And finally once you get someone to your page make sure it was worth visiting. Basic marketing knows it is easier to keep a customer than it is to get a new one.