This week I pretty much have two things on my mind: beta launch and conferences. Since Rand will be covering the beta launch later today (wheeeeee) I thought I'd focus on the conferences. Along with preparing for our own PRO Seminar later this month, we've been discussing the various conferences we'll be attending and speaking at over the next few months. Personally I'm getting excited for SES San Francisco next week. With the change of venue and being a part of Connected Marketing Week it's going to be a great event. It also got me thinking about how attendees and speakers can use going to the conference as a link building exercise.
Anyone can easily acquire a few links by sponsoring the event, but I wanted to come up with some creative ways to gain links without actually paying anything. Ok, well without paying for anything more than the cost of attending the event. Let's get started!
1. Speak at the event
Speaking on a panel is one of the easiest ways to get a link directly from a conference. Unfortunately it's also probably the most difficult for most people. Not everyone gets excited about standing up in front of a room full of fellow internet marketers and speaking. But if you're the type who loves what you do, has great advice, experience and/or examples on a specific topic and doesn't mind speaking in public, then it's time to get rolling! There are tons of conferences (seminars, trainings, etc.) from big to small, international to local that you could speak at. Find the one that's right for you and reap the rewards from the links.
Ok, so where do the links come from? First, you'll normally get a link from the actual conference itself where they list their speakers. You'll also get links from people who write about the session you speak on. For example, Lisa Barone always links to the speaker's website in her liveblogging coverage. Here's one of many examples.
Simply by speaking at the event puts your name and company out there to the masses and gives them a reason to write about you. But perhaps speaking isn't your calling, let's see where else you can gain a link or two.
2. Liveblog or Livetweet
There are a number of benefits of live blogging, such as adding great content to your site and hopefully increasing your SEO value. But don't forget that many conferences will link to liveblog coverage of their event. Booyah! Now... don't get me wrong, live blogging is NOT easy. It can be a gruesome task where you spend the entire day typing, making sure you catch as much of the sessions as absolutely possible and still find time to eat and use the restroom. I personally attempted it once, but we can all see how well that went over (hint: I haven't done it again). Hats off to all those amazing livebloggers out there who do it time and time again at all the major conferences!
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Some of the amazing livebloggers you'll see at conferences: Lisa Barone, Richard Baxter, Barry Schwartz, Virginia Nussey
If you're new to liveblogging or tweeting you might want to start small like with a local meetup. With a smaller venue, liveblogging isn't such a daunting task if you only have one or two sessions and speakers to cover. Plus not as many people are covering the small events, so the competition isn't fierce.
Another alternative to liveblogging is livetweeting. While you'll probably only get links to your Twitter account via retweets and Twitter roundup posts, you will probably get more followers who could in turn link to you at some point. Ok, so this may not be a direct link, but the idea of a future link is good enough for me.
In both liveblogging and tweeting, you have to be able to type and type quickly. If that isn't your thing, and you just like to attend the conference, take notes and learn in your own way, there's another tip that will earn you a few links. Bring bloggers food, drinks, a power cord, whatever! If you see that a liveblogger tweets about being thirsty, bring him/her a bottle of water. How much do you want to bet that you'll get a link in that post (or maybe from Twitter) from that blogger? I'd say that's a high likelihood.
In general if you bring someone of the Linkerati something nice, you might get a link out of it. Last year I roomed with Keri Morgret at SES San Jose and she brought triple chocolate muffins to the room!! Now if that doesn't deserve a link from SEOmoz, I don't know what does. Just sayin.
3. Take Photos and/or Video
This is a super fun way to not only get some sweet links but think about how many people you'll meet. It's the easiest way to network at a conference because pretty much all SEOs want their photo taken. :) But the key is, after you take the photos, be sure to publish them! Write a post and link to the people in the pictures or post them on your Facebook page and get more "likes" to your page.
Dana Lookadoo is probably THE BEST at taking great photos throughout the conference and then publishing them right away. She's received several links from the SEOmoz blog for taking photos we used and then linked back to her. In fact, all the photos of the livebloggers from above Dana, took at various conferences (thanks for the great photos again!).
4. Get involved!
Whether the conference is large like an SMX or just a small meetup, everyone loves volunteers to help. This is also a great tip to getting a free pass to an event. Sure you have to put in a little work and help out, but in the end you'll learn a lot and will probably get a link or a thank you on Twitter. Earlier this year I helped Michelle Robbins at SMX West and got a great thank you from her after the fact via Twitter.
Just think of the possibilities here. If you can donate a little of your time, you can easily get a link or two out of it.
5. Do something crazy
Seriously, not even kidding here. If you do something out there, something a little different than the norm that people can get excited about, then they're going to write about it! Off the top of my head I can think of three different instances at conferences where people did things just a bit crazy, and the story went completely viral! I'm talking shaving your head, winning a pony and bigwatah. I won't go into all the details about these events but let's quickly look at a few Google searches.
A search for "bigwatah" shows 4 posts talking about the event that happened at SMX East in 2008 plus tons of photos. Then a search for "evan fishkin shave head" (tee hee hee) shows at least 10 posts and 3 videos of Matt Cutts shaving Evan Fishkin's head at Pubcon 2009.
That's just the tip of the iceburg. I'm pretty sure much crazier things have and could happen. As long as you don't hurt anyone in the process, I say get a little crazy!
Whew! That's a lot of linkbuilding that can happen in just a couple days time. As you head out to a conference this summer or fall, think about ways to not only gain knowledge but also to create a few backlinks. Remember that many of the people who will link to you who are at a conference are probably SEOs themselves. Which means they probably (not always, but probably) have a fairly decent authority site to send you some juicy links (dang. did I just say "juicy links" I hate when people say that). I'd love to hear some of your ideas or ways you've been able to build a link or two while attending a conference.
6. Look for the guys whispering in the shadows - they are the ones selling links.
<paranoia>you been watching me at conferences?</paranoia>
HAHAHA this cracked me up!
A really easy way to get links at conferences is to throw a party and put the directions / location / RSVP form up on your homepage.
Sure, it won't be cheap, but it will get links. And you can write off the booze on your taxes.
A cheaper way is just buy drinks for the right people :.)
Absolutely brilliant Russ! A tax deductible way to throw a party.
Totally! There are plenty of ways to build links by "buying" them but I wanted to come up with a few ways to build links without spending any more money than what it takes to get to the conference. Maybe the next post should be how to "buy" links without buying links. :)
Now there's some linkbait... "10 Ways To Get Links With Booze." :P
Though I'd been lurking at conferences in the UK for years before it - SMX Advanced 2008 was such a huge networking / link earning break! I earned some great links just by meeting people and with extra with coverage later down the line. ALL because of the awesome people I met.
There are some great tips in here - and the best thing is they all involve having fun. Win!
PS - Look at me all studious trying to live blog :-)
PS - Look at me all studious trying to live blog :-)
Gee. That's not what Barry said Richard. He thought you were on some kind of poker site.
You've still got a few things to learn, apparently. Lisa and Virginia can live-blog 10 hours straight and still smile. You and Barry look like you desperately need a Red Bull ;)
Of course, I can barely make it through a post-lunch session on Day 2 without a nap.
For the first time in my life, I'm considering my inability to type as a shortfall. Live blogging would suit my shining personality very well.
With all of these great posts about the upcoming event, I will however, endeavor to take notes with the express purpose of turning all this goodwill into link building content for me!
Mwahahahahahahaha!
I mean, I will take notes about all the brilliance I witness at the event and regurgitate it all in novel ways to garner links for myself.
Mwahahahahahahahaha!
I mean, I look forward to ... oh hell! I need to get my website up, don't I? Damn it.
Well, Richard, I wish I had gotten a picture of you studiously staring down those bowling pins! Instead, I focused on those stylish Richard Baxter shoes & socks! You win the award for Mr. Conference GQ!
I had heard that Richard actually stole those socks right off of Lisa Barone's feet, but refused to believe it of him.
And now you go and show us the smoking gun Dana...Richard, how could you?
Thank you, Jen!! It was more fun with no thought of linkbuilding. But heck, maybe I'll have a t-shirt made that says, "I take pictures for links."
Principle ... hmmmm, maybe link building really is about relationships! I encourage clients to go to conferences and get involved with people in their industry. As SEOs, we can get to know other SEOs who consult for clients in similar industries and help them with "network" linkbuilding.
Heck, you might just get to have a bite of one of Keri Morgret's chocolate muffins!
It doesn't have to be a seo conference. Any conference where you are a speaker or your company name is involved in some way is an opportunity!
Most definitely!
I can't get past the Since Rand will be covering the beta launch later today (wheeeeee) sentence Jen!
I feel like today is Christmas and I'm about to be able to go start unwrapping the presents any moment.
Oh sure, way to make a girl feel good about her writing :P
I do wonder sometimes if the SEO community needs to come out of it's shell a bit.
Surely there's a difference between getting links from SEOs to your SEO site/blog and getting links from independent related authorities for a client?
I understand that the best way to get a general point across is to cloak it in the familiar (in this case SEO conferences) but where are the posts about "link building ideas for a record label", "link building ideas for a computer company" or "link building ideas for a wine merchant in South Africa"?
I wonder if we're a little insular sometimes.
Perhaps we're not as inbred as one would imagine. yet to your point, yes. There is a difference between SEO-to-SEO link building and link building for clients. Try these links out ... for ... wait for it ... Link building.
https://www.seomoz.org/blog/how-to-get-links-in-tough-industries
https://www.seomoz.org/blog/negotiating-partnerships-for-scaleable-linkbuilding
https://www.seomoz.org/blog/link-magnets-a-new-paradigm-in-link-acquisition
https://www.seomoz.org/blog/using-bespoke-products-services-to-build-links
https://www.seomoz.org/blog/running-giveaway-competitions-for-links-and-seo
If you need more then try good ole Category 6: https://www.seomoz.org/blog/category/6
I do apologize for my laziness. I only searched for articles on this website.
Enjoy.
I wasn't suggesting that SEOMoz doesn't have a wealth of articles on the subject, I was simply thinking out loud about the fact that as SEOs we have a tendency to stick within our own a little bit.
For example your first link uses the SEO industry as a link building example - it's one that seems to be our fall back for when we can't think of a better example.
Perhaps my question came across as less rhetorical and more direct through the translation of the internet.
I'm not actually after a link building strategy for a wine merchant in South Africa, although I wouldn't say no to a link to a nice bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon since it just hit 5:30pm here ;-)
Good post, thanks for sharing
Most of our posts about linkbuilding are actually not about getting links from SEOs, but I can see your point! I think the tactics I've listed here can actually be used in many different industries. Whether it's attending a trade show or just going to a local farmers market, there are tons of ways to gain links by going to events. This post is just about one way to do so.
At first i thought the post is about building links for the clients. Talking about events, how about attending industry events of your clients and giving a small demo of your link bait tool. Lets say you client sell car insurance (brutally competitive industry) and your link bait tool is car insurance calculator. Now you need links from two types of sites. Sites which have something to do with cars and sites which have something to do with insurance. Now who would be intersted in you insurance calculator: auto part dealers, insurance agents and bloggers who write car reviews. These are your target audience and you can find them easily in any small or big auto trade show.
Ask you client whether he is participating in any industry event (many clients do). If yes, then here is you golden chance to attend that event with him. Introduce yourself at the event (easier than speaking as a speaker) and tell them about the benefits of your calculator, give a small live demo on laptop and then hand them your business card. Later follow up through email/phone. Who knows you may event get new clients in this process. Other way is to sponsor the event or part of the event like catering. It is a good way to make yourself aware among your potential linking partners and prospects. Thats how you can use events as link bait tool if you ask me.
I like this idea a lot Himanshu.
I think it would be particularly useful for an in-house SEO though because I feel in a situation like that it would be a good idea to be very familiar with your client's product(s). A lot of consultant SEO might not really have the time or patience to learn all that about an industry and then give an SEO related talk in that industry.
But very useful idea me think...
Thats really a fantastic idea. This can not only help in building better rapport with the client but also will help in getting new clients for the business. We can get to know more number of people in the same industry.
Fantastic!
doing something crazy, hmmmm. <lightbulb illuminating above head>streaking at SES San Fran with url painted on my butt back </lightbulb illuminating above head>
Now Peter, There's crazy...and then there's just plain scary. The mental picture you just painted definitely fits into the latter!
haha, guess I need to rethink that one a bit, if I actually want to remain at the conference. Maybe I could just hire someone like goldenpalace has done on numerous occassions. They seem to have found it to b e effective.
That one at the superbowl a few years back cracked me up especially when that linebacker decided he had enough and took the guy out.
Well on top of just building <links>URL+Anchor Text</links> , and since you're at it, create <relationships>real links</relationships> that can unconditionally generate quality <links>URL+Anchor Text</links> .
Very nice post Jennita. I love the last tip "Let's Go Crazy!" best... :)
Thanks
good idea. very informative!
https://learnwithmariogarcia.com/
Great article! I like the 'Do something crazy' part. I've done live blogging and live tweet before (once). It was a great experience for me, everything is so fast paced.
Try to meet as many people as possible, get their names, what they do and always ask for a business card. Ig you have time also, grab a drink with a group who's going out after the event and network that way, it's always helped me build more 'juicy links'.
Jackson
easy way to get links at conferences nice ideas.
I like last one tips.
Thanks.
Thanks, Jennita for sharing your insight! I liked your post!
oops sorry for duplicate comment didn't mean to spam :/
We need a systems to request links!
One more intersting post on link building. Linkbaiting is not easy but rather particpating in conferences like this will really help create a better relationship and also will help the link building efforts a lot. These kind of activities will make linkbaiting possible and prove successful. Sounds easy, but will denitely need to make a try of these ideas.
Thanks for sharing an interesting post Jennita.
Great post Jen. I can really see these points being used in just about every industry that does conferences, tradeshows etc. When I ran a backlink audit for my company I found quite a few links coming from speaking bios and even ones for booths. A few conference sites had a mix of do-follow & no-follow links on the sponsor & vendor pages. Just another reason to get invovled.
Nice post Jen! Thanks for mentioning the volunteering approach - we always appreciate the fantastic help we get from the volunteers in the community, and are happy to give back in any way we can - beyond the free pass even :-)
And thanks again to you for your terrific help at SMX West this year!
Great post, never really thought that attending a conference/seminar would result in links.
Maybe I need to start looking for speaking opportunities.
What is the world coming to? People shave their heads to get links? I rather just pay TLA and buy me a good link (LOL JK)
Don’t forget about good old fashioned blog posts too!
A good summary of a conference with a little bit of your personal experiences and maybe a dash of pics can be great link bait if you write it after the event. I wrote one the day after the Twitter Chirp conference that had some good activity on twitter and hacker news and led to ~20x more traffic than usual.
Loving the idea of "Do something crazy".
If anybody would like to shave my head, go crazy.
I think the point of the blog is certainly to highllight the advantages of getting out there as opposed to doing everything from behind your monitor in an office. Conferences are a great way to build links and meet new people in the same industry and in some small way the term "link building" can be applied to the human interaction you would have at a meeting/conference. I think it`s just great to go out and meet new people and at the same time make use of the benefits.
Hi, jennita i found your blog through search engine you have done really a great job. You have a nice blog about the buil the links.
Funny I have seen this exact same post about 50 times on my blog in the past week
Me too. But the condition was even more worse for my blog. I found almost 5-10 same kind of comment spam for each post. :(