How Do I use Events to help my SEO?
Throwing, sponsoring, and attending events can help you not only build relationships, but also build links to your website. Here are a few ways to leverage events to your link building advantage.
Trade Shows/Conferences
Trade shows and conferences can provide an opportunity to get your company’s name and logo displayed prominently on an event organizer’s website. More importantly, you get a link for participating. If are you are a keynote speaker or session leader and have been asked to provide a speaker biography, be sure to include your company’s link in the copy you provide. Sponsors and exhibitors are oftentimes asked to include a logo, so when providing this to the event organizer, politely ask if they can hyperlink the logo to your homepage.
Getting a link if you are simply an attendee can prove more difficult, but not impossible. If you have a blog, write a post about the conference you are planning to attend. Or even a review of the event afterwards. Make sure you include the link to the event organizer’s site. You can then, in turn, send a simple e-mail letting them know you are looking forward to the conference or have reviewed their event. The hope is that the link-bait earns you a link back to your site.
Community Events
From churches to baseball teams, many local community organizations throw fundraising events and seek sponsors at various levels. This is a simple way to build brand awareness with your neighbors while doing a good deed for your community. It’s also a great way to get a link. Chances are that the organization has some sort of landing page on their website for the event which lists their sponsors. Make sure your link is there. Also consider including a link to the event on your website so visitors can see what your company is up to outside of the average workday.
Create Your Own Event
While it may sound daunting, creating your own networking event is actually quite simple. Local bars and restaurants are usually more than willing to provide a room along with food and drink specials. Select a topic, include the information on your website, and invite your network to come participate. Use Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to create broader awareness about the event. Encourage people to spread the news, and watch the links start to pour in!
Remember, events not only offer the opportunity to make industry connections, but also for you to build links to your website. No matter what you do, where you go and who you meet, always be linking.
September 14, 2011