My answer in a hurry.

• Link relevancy would be everything to me personally. If the link is relevant, it can not hurt you.
• Why not anchor text? I think anchor text is important. There are examples where pages have got a higher position on the SERP's for words in the anchor text of IBL's.
• Before a final decision, you should perhaps test the site on DNSStuff
• Read what EricWard, "the father" of linkbait writes.
• 21 keys to link bait success may also help you, Pagetta even if it is not directly related to your question.

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