Networking for better online presence? Because SEO Is a Team Sport

by Startup Local | Mar 19, 2025 | Uncategorized

If you think SEO is a solo game, think again. Sure, you can optimise your website, craft killer content, and fine-tune your keywords all on your own—but if you’re not networking, you’re leaving a huge chunk of SEO potential on the table.

At its core, SEO is a team sport. The best results don’t come from isolated efforts but from collaboration, connections, and strategic partnerships. Whether it’s link building, content amplification, or staying ahead of Google’s ever-changing algorithm, who you know in the SEO world can make all the difference. Let’s break down why networking is the secret weapon that can take your SEO to the next level.

1. Backlinks: The MVP of SEO

Let’s start with the obvious: backlinks. Google sees backlinks as votes of confidence—the more high-quality sites linking to your content, the more authority and credibility your site gains. But let’s be real:
🔹 You can’t just cold-email people and expect them to hand over valuable backlinks.
🔹 You definitely don’t want to buy low-quality links (unless you enjoy Google penalties).
🔹 And spamming comment sections for backlinks? That stopped working in 2012.

So how do you earn quality backlinks? Networking.

Guest Posting & Content Collaboration

Building relationships with bloggers, industry experts, and website owners allows you to exchange guest posts, collaborate on content, and earn natural backlinks. It’s a win-win:
✔ They get valuable content.
✔ You get exposure and a strong backlink.

The Power of Digital PR

By networking with journalists, PR agencies, and content creators, you can get featured in industry publications, news outlets, and high-authority blogs—all of which boost your SEO. A single mention from a trusted site can do more than 100 generic backlinks ever could.

2. SEO Trends Move Fast—Your Network Helps You Keep Up

Google’s algorithm is a moving target. One day, E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) is everything. The next, AI-generated content is shaking up the landscape. If you’re not constantly learning, you’re falling behind.

Networking keeps you in the loop. By engaging with SEO professionals, digital marketers, and industry insiders, you’ll hear about:
🔹 Algorithm updates before they hit the mainstream.
🔹 Emerging ranking factors that can give you an edge.
🔹 New tools and strategies that are actually working.

SEO conferences, webinars, Twitter threads, LinkedIn discussions, and Slack communities—these are where the real conversations happen. Being part of an active SEO network helps you adapt faster and avoid costly mistakes.

3. Coworking Spaces: A Hidden Gem for SEO Networking

One of the best places to grow your network and develop meaningful business connections isn’t an online forum or a LinkedIn thread—it’s your coworking space.

Spaces like Flow Space in North Beach, Perth, are more than just places to work—they’re built for collaboration and networking. Flow Space regularly hosts networking events where professionals from all industries connect, exchange contact details, and build lasting business relationships.

For SEO professionals, freelancers, and digital marketers, a coworking space offers an incredible opportunity to:
✔ Meet potential clients and collaborators in person.
✔ Share SEO insights and strategies with fellow marketers.
✔ Find local businesses in need of SEO services.

Working from a coworking space in Perth’s northern suburbs means you’re not just getting a productive environment—you’re also putting yourself in the middle of a thriving business community where networking is natural and encouraged.

4. Social Signals & Brand Mentions Impact SEO

While social media isn’t a direct ranking factor, it plays a huge role in your SEO strategy. A strong network amplifies your content and increases your brand’s visibility, leading to:
✔ More clicks and engagement.
✔ Higher chances of getting linked to.
✔ Greater brand authority (which Google loves).

When your content gets shared by industry leaders, influencers, and engaged communities, it signals to Google that your site is relevant, valuable, and trustworthy. And that indirectly boosts your rankings.

How Networking Helps Here:

🔹 Connecting with influencers and industry experts increases your chances of social shares.
🔹 Engaging in SEO and marketing communities helps you distribute content effectively.
🔹 Collaborating with other brands or businesses expands your reach to new audiences.

5. SEO Success Requires More Than Just Technical Skills

Great SEO isn’t just about keywords and backlinks—it’s also about content, UX, branding, and PR. And no one person can master all of these areas alone.

By networking with experts in content marketing, web development, social media, and PR, you can build a well-rounded SEO strategy. Need a UX designer to improve site speed and mobile-friendliness? A copywriter to craft engaging blog posts? A PR contact to help land media mentions? Your network is your biggest asset.

6. Local SEO? Networking Is Everything.

If you’re focused on local SEO, networking is even more essential. Google prioritises trust and credibility when ranking local businesses. The more your business is mentioned, linked to, and reviewed, the higher your local rankings climb.

Networking Strategies for Local SEO:

🔹 Join local business groups (chambers of commerce, entrepreneur meetups, industry groups).
🔹 Partner with other local businesses for cross-promotions, events, and backlinks.
🔹 Engage in local online communities (Facebook groups, Reddit, LinkedIn).
🔹 Get involved in local press and sponsorships (sponsoring an event can land you in news articles and directories).

When your name is everywhere, Google starts to take notice.

Bottom Line: SEO Works Best When You’re Not Doing It Alone

SEO isn’t a solo sport—it’s a team effort. The best SEO strategies are built on relationships, collaborations, and community engagement. Whether it’s earning backlinks, staying ahead of trends, amplifying content, or improving brand authority, who you know in the SEO world matters.

How to Start Networking for SEO Success:

✔ Engage in SEO forums and online communities (Twitter, LinkedIn, Reddit, Facebook groups).
✔ Attend industry conferences, webinars, and local meetups.
✔ Collaborate on guest posts, podcasts, and content exchanges.
✔ Connect with influencers, bloggers, and digital PR experts.
✔ Work from a coworking space like Flow Space to meet professionals in person.
✔ Support and share others’ content—reciprocity goes a long way.

So next time you’re grinding away on your SEO strategy, remember: you don’t have to do it alone. The best SEOs play as a team—so get out there, start networking, and watch your rankings (and business) grow.

A scaleable approach to SEO for Startups

by Startup Local | Oct 29, 2023 | Uncategorized

Breaking the Vicious Cycle: How ‘Initiate, Collaborate, Delegate’ Fuels Startups from Budget to Exposure

The Startup Paradox: Budget and Exposure

The story of a startup is often a tale of two major challenges: budget and exposure. The conundrum is almost poetic. You need exposure to scale and secure more budget, but to get that exposure, you need a budget in the first place. It’s the classic chicken-and-egg problem, creating a vicious cycle that can either make or break a startup.

The Fundamental Challenge for Startups

Startups, from solopreneurs to those with a full-fledged marketing team, face a trifecta of challenges: scaling online, maintaining cash flow, and keeping a firm grip on digital strategy. Navigating these challenges is akin to a high-wire balancing act—a single slip can lead to cascading failures.

The Under-the-Radar Solution

Fortunately, there is an effective strategy for breaking out of this cycle, though it’s often one that marketing agencies are reluctant to discuss openly. The reason is straightforward: it’s advantageous for the startup’s bottom line but less so for the marketing firms.

Introducing: Initiate, Collaborate, Delegate

This unheralded yet potent strategy comprises three phases, each building on the foundation of education. The Initiate phase is where you delve into the fundamentals of digital marketing and SEO. The focus here isn’t just on what tasks to execute but on understanding the ‘why’ behind each action.

Then comes the Collaborate phase, which involves working hand-in-hand with experts. Your team is not a mere spectator but an active participant, making real-world decisions and honing their skills through practical application.

The journey culminates in the Delegate phase. By this point, your team is well-equipped with digital marketing know-how and can manage these processes with minimal oversight. The transformation is complete—from learners to leaders in your startup’s online journey.

Why This Matters: The Dual ROI

The real strength of the ‘Initiate, Collaborate, Delegate’ model lies not just in meeting immediate needs like visibility and cash flow, but in the enduring value it confers. You end up with a team that’s not only equipped to scale your business but also becomes an invaluable asset unto themselves. The return on investment is twofold: you get a scalable business and a highly skilled team, both of which are vital for long-term sustainability.

The Educational Journey: More Than Just Business Growth

This isn’t merely a strategy for growing your startup; it’s a comprehensive educational experience. Your team grows with your business, learning every aspect of digital marketing from the ground up. This educational investment pays off not just in a scalable business but in a competent, skilled team that understands the digital landscape like the back of their hand.

In Closing

The ‘Initiate, Collaborate, Delegate’ approach goes beyond conventional business growth strategies. It promises an enlightening journey where everyone from the founder to the marketing team grows both personally and professionally. You’re not just solving the problem of exposure and budget; you’re preparing for a future where those issues are but distant memories.

So, if you’re navigating the complexities of startup growth, remember that the power of ‘Initiate, Collaborate, Delegate’ is more than just scaling up—it’s about elevating every aspect of your business, including the people who make it all happen. Thank you.

Feedback & Support

by Noel Germishuizen | Jul 8, 2019 | Uncategorized

Giving feedback just got easier!!

New Feature

I always strive to improve the service I offer. So today I am very excited to introduce our new feedback tool!

When you log into your website you will be greeted with a new feedback button on your website. Click the plus sign and then click the area concerned.

This can be used anywhere on your website to give feedback about issues, features or updates that you would like.

Please go to your site and take a look. Give it a try!

I have tried many different communication options over the years, but each has a learning curve or limitation.

Our new feedback tool is as simple to understand and use. Just click and type! As simple as adding sticky notes on the website.

I know you will love it as much as I do!

If you have any issues using the feedback tool, please get in touch.

I look forward to seeing your first feedback!!

Noel