Using Newcastle’s Local Events to Boost SEO

Newcastle upon Tyne, a vibrant city in the North East of England, is known for its rich cultural heritage, bustling nightlife, and diverse array of events throughout the year. These local events present a unique opportunity for businesses to enhance their search engine optimisation (SEO) strategies and improve their online visibility. By leveraging the popularity and relevance of Newcastle’s events, companies can attract more local customers, increase brand awareness, and climb the search engine rankings.

At Gorilla Marketing, we specialise in helping businesses in Newcastle and across the UK to maximise their online potential. Our team of SEO experts understands the intricacies of local search and how to harness the power of events to boost your digital presence. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore various strategies to utilise Newcastle’s local events for SEO success, providing you with actionable insights to implement in your marketing efforts.

Why Are Local Events Important for SEO in Newcastle?

Local events play a crucial role in Newcastle SEO for several reasons:

1. Increased search volume: Popular events often lead to a surge in related searches, providing opportunities for businesses to capture this traffic.
2. Local relevance: Search engines prioritise local content, and event-related information is inherently local.
3. Fresh content: Events offer a continuous stream of new, relevant content to keep your website updated.
4. Backlink opportunities: Event coverage can lead to natural backlinks from local news outlets and event organisers.
5. Social media engagement: Events provide excellent material for social media posts, which can indirectly benefit SEO.

What Are Some of Newcastle’s Most Popular Events?

Newcastle hosts a wide range of events throughout the year, catering to various interests and demographics. Here’s a table showcasing some of the city’s most notable events:

Event Name	Time of Year	Description
The Great North Run	September	World’s largest half-marathon
Newcastle Pride	July	LGBTQ+ celebration and parade
This Is Tomorrow Festival	May/June	Music festival featuring international acts
Newcastle Christmas Market	November/December	Traditional festive market
Newcastle Restaurant Week	January & August	Citywide dining event
Newcastle Beer & Cider Festival	April	Celebration of craft beverages
Chinese New Year	January/February	Cultural celebrations in Chinatown
Mouth of the Tyne Festival	July	Music and street performance festival

How Can Businesses Leverage These Events for SEO?

1. Create Event-Specific Content

Develop blog posts, landing pages, or guides related to local events. For example:

• “Top 10 Places to Eat During Newcastle Restaurant Week”
• “A Runner’s Guide to Preparing for the Great North Run”
• “Best Spots to Watch the Newcastle Pride Parade”

Ensure your content is informative, engaging, and optimised for relevant keywords. Include practical information such as dates, times, locations, and tips for attendees.

2. Implement Local Schema Markup

Use schema markup to provide search engines with structured data about events. This can lead to rich snippets in search results, improving click-through rates. Include details such as:

• Event name
• Date and time
• Location
• Ticket information
• Performer or speaker details

3. Optimise for Voice Search

With the rising popularity of voice assistants, optimise your event-related content for voice search queries. Focus on natural language and question-based phrases, such as:

• “When is the Newcastle Christmas Market?”
• “Where can I park for the Great North Run?”
• “What bands are playing at This Is Tomorrow Festival?”

4. Utilise Google My Business

If your business is participating in or located near an event, update your Google My Business listing to reflect this. Add event-specific posts, update your business hours if necessary, and respond to any event-related questions in the Q&A section.

5. Create Event-Specific Landing Pages

Develop dedicated landing pages for major events, especially if your business is directly involved or offering special promotions. These pages should include:

• Event details
• Your business’s involvement or offerings
• Relevant keywords
• Clear calls-to-action (CTAs)

6. Engage in Local Link Building

Reach out to event organisers, local news outlets, and other businesses involved in the event to secure backlinks. Offer to write guest posts about the event or provide valuable information that others might want to link to.

7. Leverage Social Media

While social media doesn’t directly impact SEO, it can indirectly boost your search engine rankings by:

• Increasing brand awareness
• Driving traffic to your website
• Encouraging social sharing of your content

Create event-specific hashtags, share behind-the-scenes content, and engage with your audience before, during, and after the event.

8. Optimise for Mobile

With many event-goers using mobile devices to search for information, ensure your website is fully optimised for mobile. This includes:

• Responsive design
• Fast loading times
• Easy-to-use navigation
• Click-to-call functionality

9. Create and Optimise Video Content

Video content can significantly boost your SEO efforts. Consider creating:

• Event previews or recaps
• Interviews with event organisers or participants
• Virtual tours of event locations

Optimise your videos with relevant titles, descriptions, and tags, and consider hosting them on both YouTube and your website for maximum visibility.

How Can You Measure the Success of Your Event-Based SEO Efforts?

To gauge the effectiveness of your event-based SEO strategies, monitor the following metrics:

1. Organic traffic: Look for increases in overall traffic and event-specific page views.
2. Keyword rankings: Track your positions for event-related keywords.
3. Backlinks: Monitor new backlinks acquired through event-related content and outreach.
4. Engagement metrics: Analyse time on page, bounce rate, and pages per session for event-related content.
5. Conversions: Measure any increases in leads, sales, or other desired actions during and after events.
6. Local pack appearances: Monitor your presence in local search results for event-related queries.
7. Social media engagement: Track likes, shares, and comments on event-related posts.

Maximising Your Newcastle Event SEO Strategy

By incorporating local events into your SEO strategy, Newcastle businesses can significantly enhance their online visibility and attract more customers. From creating event-specific content to optimising for mobile and voice search, there are numerous ways to leverage the city’s vibrant event scene for digital marketing success.

At Gorilla Marketing, we’re committed to helping businesses in Newcastle and beyond achieve their SEO goals. Our team of experts can develop a tailored strategy to ensure you’re making the most of local events and other SEO opportunities. To learn more about how we can boost your online presence, contact us today for a consultation.

Remember, successful event-based SEO requires planning, creativity, and consistent effort. By staying ahead of the event calendar and implementing these strategies, you’ll be well-positioned to capture valuable search traffic and grow your business in Newcastle’s dynamic market.