Seriously though, Jon made an outstanding point in his email:
I think these informal gatherings are another way to get information, and sometimes having various channels and medium types is a good thing. I know I can only type and read so much, sometimes a real conversation in-person about SEO is quite welcome. Naturally conferences provide a lot of this, but these regional "meetup groups" help you to get your fix in between conferences.I couldn't agree more. Though you can probably find a conference to attend once a month, a lot of SEOs can't make it to every single search conference in our industry due to company budget restraints, the desire to be at home with their families, big work loads, etc. Even if you do manage to make it to several search conferences each year, you may feel like you're seeing a too many repeat sessions and drinking too much to adequately further your knowledge of SEO.
What about SEO blogs and forums? Well, obviously those are fantastic resources, but, if you're like me, you can't spend your whole day reading blog posts and poking around in forums because you have other tasks to do and deadlines to meet. Once I clock out for the day (figuratively--we don't have punch cards here), I don't really want to spend my evenings and weekends ignoring my friends and family members so I can become a better, faster, stronger SEO. It's difficult to juggle both work and home. I want to be a knowledgeable, expert SEO, but I don't want to ruin my personal relationships in the process.
Where does that leave me and other SEOs who are in similar situations? Well, how about SEO groups? Obviously, this idea works better if you live don't live in some shanty deep in the Appalachians, but for SEO professionals who live in a somewhat urban environment, I think that meeting groups are a fantastic opportunity to get together once or twice a month, break bread, and talk shop.
I know that there are some SEO groups scattered throughout the country--SEModx is Portland's SEM community, and I've read about SEO meetups in Philadelphia. Jon himself has created a group on Meetup.com for the DC/Baltimore area. In fact, Meetup has a whole SEO section, where you can see if there's a group in your area (so far, there's nothing in Seattle). EDIT: eCopt started a Seattle SEO Meetup, so join if you live in the Emerald City!
I personally think that meeting groups are win-win. If you're like me and you want to improve your mad SEO skillz, you can meet up with other professionals and learn from them. If you're already a pretty knowledgeable SEO, then you get to put your money where your mouth is and give other SEOs advice. Think of it as a consulting dry-run. Or, you could practice a presentation on your peers, ask people for help with a tricky site, or just expand your SEO network by meeting new people.
What do you guys think? Would you join an SEO meetup group if there was one in your city, or are you content to get all of your SEO information from blogs, forums, and conferences?
We've got one in London. Just google London SEO group.
Next meet is on Tuesday.
For those too lazy to Google - London SEO
Really must make one of these soon...
Great! I'll need to check this out. Surprised there seem to be so few SEO groups in London.
"Really must make one of these soon"
Ditto. Don't know why I haven't already really.
Small chance I'll make this one.
yeah Ciaran what's the matter with you =) You live just around the corner!
LondonSEO events are well worth it, great people, beer and conversation (in that order lol). I've learnt alot on these events. Rob Kerrey (evilgreenmonkey...not evilgreendonkey as i once referred to him as) is the man at organising these casual events =)
Oh and it doesn't cost anything to be a member or attending the events. Just put a few bobs in the kitty for a drink or two and enjoy =)
Is that the Viking spelling of my surname? ;)
To prevent impostors from crashing our meet-up, you must ask the following question to new acquaintances at next Tuesday's meet-up:
"Have you seen Dixon the Black Hat anywhere?".
This will get you instant kudos from your peers and open the gates to the kingdom of free beer.
Sorry Mr Kerry...typo ja!
Second choice??? No way. I just figured I'd bug Rand b/c I expected you'd be busy handling the big money items. He is your assistant isn't he?
Seriously though, excellent thoughts Rebecca. I (like most of us) spend way too much time online as it is, and while written communication is great, an old-fashioned in person conversation has its place too. I find that when I discuss the topic with others we can have a more insightful and productive conversation in an hour than we could do in three hours via email replies, etc. It gives you that back and forth, and hey having a couple drinks ain't bad either!
Truthfully I'm shocked at the overwhelming response our Baltimore/DC group has gotten. We put the page up three days ago and already have 23 people that have signed up. I'm really excited about it.
Naturally I don't expect everyone to make it to an event, but I'd love to get 7 or 8 different viewpoints from people in the area maybe once or twice a month.
I run an agency, and as it is right now most of my SEO-related conversations are with other agencies. I believe there are some different perspectives that in-house SEOs, affiliate marketers, etc. could offer, and so that's another benefit we're seeking here.
No group in your area? Start one up, send a couple of emails to local acquaintences you have and you may be surprised :)
ephricon, yeah totally agree. If there is no SEO group in your area, start one up. Get a free blog up and you're off. Do or do not there is no try!!
Ah yes, master Yoda at his finest.
By the way, we're now at 25 :)
totally off topic - how did lisadit get a super hero on her proile page? i'll trade you my tulip for your super hero.
You don't want to know. It involved a goat, chanting and the exchange of many dubloons.
lol =) oh yeah that goat was freaky man.
For anyone in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, we have the DFW-SEM. It is a great group with a lot of smart marketers.
I was thinking 21 comments in and someone would have at least asked about the UK...
Any SEOs in the north east of England? would be great to meet up!
Only person I ever managed to meet up and chat with about SEO lived in France, so you can imagine those meetings not happening very often
Tom, my brother and our newest member of staff is based in Leeds...
sweet, I'm about an hour north of Leeds,
I'll have to get in touch
Dave "Fookin" Naylor lives near Leeds too. Hell, per capita, the UK probably has more SEOs than anywhere (Oz might be a close second).
Just be careful. The hats get darker, the further north you go (I've moved to the lily-livered south in order to run my white hat agency) ;)
eek... I'm even further north in newcastle..
*goes to buy some hat bleach*
Calgary? Alberta? Canada in general???? (kat fud) :-)
I'd love to join a Calgary 'chapter' of SEO genius :) I know of another fine young lady who would like to join us as well.
edit - the strike through wasn't working :(
Hell yeah... while the blogs, forums etc are of course invaluable, it takes a lot for the average person to truly be "content", so I can't picture how adding "meetups" into the mix could be a bad thing. I mean, there's always something else to learn, right? I haven't had the pleasure of going to a conference just yet though, so I might not be qualified to answer...
And by the way Rebecca, when you said "if I were talking to his friend and wanted to invite them both to a party, I'd so say 'You better bring the Payne!'", you were channeling Mitch Hedberg for me. In a big way. Good times.
Mitch Hedburg was the man. He died too soon. :(
Heh. Ok, I don't wanna spam this entry, but at least one tribute is called for:
"I don't own a cell phone or a pager. I just hang around everyone I know, all the time. If someone needs to get a hold of me they just say "Mitch," and I say "What?" and turn my head slightly."
Sigh. Mitch. Pure gold.
THAT TREE IS FAR AWAY!!!
Dude, if I could thumb that up more than once, I would.
ha ha, that was my favourite of his jokes! We have all been there were you mumble and you end up having to shout something really insignificant. I also like this one: "My friend asked if I wanted a frozen banana, I said no at first but then i thought i might want a regular banana later so yeahhh" lol or "escelators can never be out of order they can only be temporarily stairs!!"
Genius!
"Sorry for the convenience."
ha! awesome. I loved that one too!
Just one more for us alcoholic SEOs...
"I saw this wino, he was eating grapes. I was like, "Dude, you have to wait"
That's definitely something I'd personally be interested in. I've had decent luck with Meetup.com, for example, and I'd love to hear about any Meetup or similar SEO groups here in Chicago (or interest from people who might want to start one).
Even if you can't find an SEO meetup, meetups on Web-related topics are good for networking in general.
We have group forming in Jacksonville - SEMJax. If there are any search marketers in the North Florida area check us out. Our first official meeting is slated for July. A couple of us will be traveling across the country for SMX so Seattle here we come.
Great idea, been wanting someone to organize a Seattle SEM/SEO group since last fall.
...ahem, if you do happen to live in a shack in the Appalachians (well, in the bit down Skyline Drive in Virginia), you're more than welcome to come to the Virginia SEM meetup group meetings. Our next one is scheduled for June 10th at 4pm at mr Smith's of Georgetown in Vienna.
Boston area seo meetup is growing.
I have attended an SEO Meetup meeting in the Boston area (Arlington, MA). One meeting there were even two guys who drove up from New York City and drove right back after the meeting. There are ususally about 20 people. Attendees range from business owners looking for help to talented SEO's, domainers and developers that work only for themselves. https://seo.meetup.com/50/
The inaugural SEMNE meeting was well worth attending. https://www.semne.org/
I know this is an old thread, but if anyone is interested, we've opened up an SEO group in the DC/MD/VA if anyone wants to visit! Would love to have some Moz people swing by :) https://www.meetup.com/Virginia-Search-Engine-Opti...
And we have an upcoming Meetup too next Wednesday on Wordpress plugins that are good for SEO. We may/may not have cookies...;)
I've been hosting this monthly Biznik SEO meetup here in Seattle for 5 months & just now saw this post.
https://biznik.com/events/seo-meetup
Come on down.
Carl
Still hosting these SEO events, a year later. We've formed a group - Seattle SEO Network
https://seattleseonetwork.org/
and still meet once a month
https://biznik.com/events/seo-search-engine-meetup--11
Here's the event description
This event is a shout out to all the other SEO professionals, business owners and other professionals in the greater Puget Sound who think they could gain from some face-to-face networking talking about possibly the most efficient form of marketing in history.
This month Gabriel Gervelis, Owner Of Blink Digital Health, will talk about his proven approach to blog marketing and blog optimization. Topics will include long tail keyword research, content strategy, and content publishing schedules. Also, Gabriel will share real case studies from live campaigns, review live Google Analytics accounts, and help people identify their long tail strategy.
The purpose of the event is for us all to come together and share ideas on how to grow our businesses, exchange information and talk a little SEO. Welcome!
As I am relocating to AZ, I found this post while searching for an SEO meetup group in AZ (kudos to SEOMOZ for being found). I am leaving the DC Metro area and if any of you are on the Northern Virginia side of DC, I wanted to let you know of a group run by Simon from searchenginetigers.com. Here is a link to the Vriginia SEM Meetup Group - https://seo.meetup.com/72/
(hmm, so I saw after posting that Simon beat me to it...)
For people in the SF Bay Area there is the Bay Area SEM Coalition (BASE MC). Join the yahoo group at www.basemc.org. We've had a couple of get togethers on top of the discussion we have on the egroup.
The coalition is made of (mostly) paid search marketers, and some SEO. To join, you'll have to let us know who you are (and the company you are working for) since we exclude search engines, agencies, affiliates, etc.
And yes, you'd get some (secret) tips and tricks in this forum.
HOuston's Interactive marketing Association is good, but I'm glad to see more people focused on SEO on MeetUp.
Hello Rebecca,
Thanks for plugging SEMpdx (Search Engine Marketing Professionals of Portland). We are now setup on the Meetup platform...you may view our meetup group page here and we encourage anyone with an interest in SEO / SEM / Internet Marketing within driving distance of Portland to reach out to us and attend our next event.
I know of 5 members (including myself) who will be attending SMX. I will be blogging the sessions that I attend.
How about that NBA Draft Lottery :.) Portland selects...Greg Oden, Center, Ohio State.
Personally I love confrences but I can't find any seo related near me. It certanly is a good idea to talk with other seos near since social aspect of work and business contacts are always important and can help in developing yourself and your busines.
Maybe I should organize a seo conference near me? :)
p.l.u.r.
There is kind of an informal one here in the Bay Area (at least I think it is informal??) that I have been fortunate enough to be invited to a couple of times. My first one, about a month or so after SES San Jose last year, really convinced me that this was something I wanted to get into.
It's just fascinating to hear more experienced SEOs' experiences (pardon the redundancy, but the word "older" doesn't always apply, in age OR in spirit!) even if they aren't necessarily applicable to my situation or clients.
There was an SEO meetup.com for us Southern Californians, but it has flatly died. There are a ton of us in the area but it is so difficult to travel to the other side of the city (2+ hours or more) nothing has materialized.
Who's for SEO LAX?
There's a slew of us in the OC that meet up every once in awhile... though they are the "what are you doing tonight?" or "wanna come over and bbq?" type meet-ups. I may have some time in a few months to organize something a little more pre-planned... we'll see!
if we're going by airport locations, how about SEO Burbank? :)
SEO John Wayne :)
i LOVE our SEO get togethers. They give me reason to live. No, just kidding, but it is awesome to hang out in a smaller environment with a bunch of hard to find SEOs. As long as martinibuster keeps organizing them and Caveman keeps entertaining us, and Lawrence keeps bringing his bright ideas and Robert keeps laughing at all of us, I will be there!
I am born in the south of China. In our coutry, seo is the burgeoning technology and there is few seo group as I know. So I have to get all of the SEO information from blogs such as mat, jim and so on. Does anyone know the famous seo group or company in China? How can I do as a foreigner? any suggestion?
Melbourne, Australia anyone?
Head up to Goldie/Brisbane and you got yourself a deal :P
We New Englanders have SEMNE
There have been meetings in Newton MA and somewhere in CT, and the next one is set for Providence in July. I haven't made it to any of them yet, but I'm hoping to go to Providence.
I think this is a great idea! I've not had the chance to be too involved in the SEO community and conferences so it would be nice to have a local group to meet with... Atlanta anyone?
Rebecca, thats' a great post! Too bad though, here in Coeur d'Alene, I dought there's enough SEOs to create a club or a community. I personally don't know any SEOs here.
May be I should start one. :)
If someone or SEOmoz will start one in Seattle, I'll be a frequent visitor.
Is there any one else here that's from Spokane/Coeur d'Alene area (WA/ID)?
I grew up in Hayden Lake, Idaho (about 20 minutes north of CDA), but I moved to seattle about 7 years ago. I visit my mom occasionally, she's still over there, but other than that I rarely make the trip across the state.
I am from Spokane originally (Sacred Heart Hosp.), but have lived in Post Falls, CDA and Hayden (right on the lake). I love Silver Wood in the summer and that area is always so nice.
It's cool to see others who ended up in this biz from the eastern side of the state, we'll all have to get one going in Sea-town, since I am here now too.
Does seriously considering moving to Spokane/CDL area get me a pass to your club? :) A few years back I almost moved there, but some negative publicity about Hayden Lake scared me off... Beautiful place though.
It wouldn't be the Aryans and the parade they have evey year would it?
The city has worked hard over the years to overcome that and I think they are doing a pretty good job of it. You rarely see those types of events and people within the city, but go too far north and you will.
Between Duane Hagadone and the Aryans, you wouldn't think too many would be eager to move there.
You are welcome to join, it's in Seattle anyway, since most of us are here now.
I lived between Pullman, WA and Spokane for four years. I'll think of you when I drive through Post Falls tomorrow on my way to my Memorial Day vacation :)
Hey have fun. Don't think about work. :)
Your wish is my command ...
The new Seattle Search Engine Marketing Meetup is born.
I will announce the first meetup in a few days and look for members to join and gather for the event. The first one will basically be a meeting to decide what we meet about and how often it should happen.
I payed out of my pocket for the groups first 6 months and will NOT be asking for members to contribute towards meetings during the first 6 months of meetups. These events will be planned for and I will do my best to promote them. If we get popular enough in this region I will continue to organize it and pay the meetup fee.
Come one, come all. Join us me and experience fun and learning all over Seattle and surrounding areas!
I'm so excited! I'm going to sign up now
Sweet, thanks for joining. Be on the look out for the official venue.
I am thinking Spitfire Bar & Grill in Seattle for the first meetup, it's really nice for eating, drinking and being merry (what we hope to do, but related to search).
BTW, looking at Spitfire's site, they need some work! Maybe we can work something out with them in trade? I will let everyone know as the manager I need to talk to is out of town for the holiday weekend.
Just thought I'd jump in on the conversation, albeit late. I'm down here in Boise feeling kind of isolated from the SEO world myself. Even though it's 5 hours away, Portland would probably be my best bet to meet up with anyone. Damn these western states and their ginormous size.
It's always fun to meet people you have common interests with (psst - I love dogs too)...i think that's what makes conferences so much fun.
Looks like a decent number of people in my 'hood across Los Angeles county are signed up. I might just give this a try.
Thanks for the heads up, Rebecca!
I love reading blogs and forums and things, but I would LOVE an SEO meeting to happen in my city.
I swear, it's like the SEO's in Phoenix are just hiding somewhere. Desigers are a dime a dozen, but meeting someone that when I talk technical actually get me and not just smile-and-nod would be lovely.
It's one thing to talk to people over the net, but to actually sit and talk with them is another. It's a whole new personal experience to meet the people that you talk with online and actually feel the excitement when people really get into talking about SEO. SES NY was like that and it'd be great to see that happen in cities around the country.
-Sam
I think Chris Hooley lives in Phoenix, if you want to put up with him. :D
Is it safe to sick the Hooley on people?
It gets him off our backs, doesn't it?
True.
Chris Hooley is wicked awesome!
We did do a Phoenix meet a couple months backhttps://www.chris-hooley.com/2007/01/10/phoenix-seo-pubcrawl-recap/
gah! bummer i missed out. is there a plan for another one? can i sign up for a newsletter or something?
He's the king of cool. He's the man with a plan. He's The Shizzle.
Word.
Trying to get him off your back too? I totally understand.
I'm so glad Chris is too busy causing trouble in Vegas to be reading this thread.
Sam, I am moving to AZ as we speak (moving truck comes in about 5 hours), so once I get settled, I'll ping you and Chris and we can get something started in PHX.
-OldSchool
The SEO readership seems increadibly social with conferences, meetings and local get togethers. Sounds like fun, I just wish there were a few more hours in the day. I'm slammed and behind on work no matter how fast I work and even with 60-70 hour weeks there is never enough time. Ofcourse with business growing like this, I won't have to do this that much longer.