While of course we're talking about links here, I always like to see the other side of a link and the actual benefit it will give you. Did you know you can sponsor meetup groups and get a link as well as get in front of your potential customers?
Meetup.com is a powerhouse website that connects like minded groups of people together through events they call meetups. If you have a good grasp of your target audience and you know where they hang out, you can get in front of them more easily.
For example, let's say that you're a bike store. Would it make sense to sponsor a local meetup biking club? Yes!
How you can do it
Sponsoring a meetup group does require the group owner to accept your sponsorship and terms. Your goal however is to get your business name, logo, discount, and link in the ad as shown in the example. If you're ambitious and a local store you could ask to have your NAP displayed as well for Local SEO purposes.
Step 1: Start by determining what type of groups might appeal to your audience. I have included some tricky examples below:
Attorneys - Maybe sponsoring a cycling- or driving-based meetup with the safety approach
Doctors - Sponsor a healthy living meetup
Airsoft or Paintball Store - Sponsor a singles group by offering an event
Construction - Sponsor a charity group or a new homeowners' group
That's enough to get the wheels turning. Write these ideas down and proceed to the next step.
Step 2: Turn to Google to make your search easier! Use the search strings below to only search the
meetup.com website with the keywords you're looking for:
site:
meetup.com state+keyword or site:
meetup.com city+keyword
Step 3: Click through the results and find a meetup group that seems to fit the bill.
Step 4: Show up to the next scheduled local meetup group.
Network. Meet the group owner and see if they're seeking sponsorship's.
Step 5: Negotiate and get your site up!
https://moz.com/blog/11-ways-local-businesses-can-get-links