7 mins read

Expensive BrightonSEO, You have Come a Lengthy Manner, Child

I’ve attended BrightonSEO for 10 years, however this yr’s convention was certainly one of my all-time favorites. (And it appears like the remainder of the staff additionally loved it!)
Ahrefs team posing for a picture

Right here’s my breakdown of September’s occasion and why I feel it’s come a good distance since its humble beginnings in a room above a pub.

Day zero: Sunshine, seaside, and our very first search engine optimisation workshop

OK, I do know what you’re pondering: The U.Ok. shouldn’t be the primary place you consider in the case of the solar. However we acquired fortunate and had nice climate the entire time we have been at BrightonSEO.

BrightonSEO with blue skies

With the climate getting the occasion off to a very good begin, it put a smile on everybody’s face as quickly as they arrived.

On Wednesday night, earlier than the principle convention, we ran our first search engine optimisation workshop and networking occasion.

It was hosted on the Ye Olde King & Queen—a really British-looking pub in-built 1779.

Outside of the Ye Olde King & Queen pub

The workshop was held in a room above a pub in true Brighton model. The room had a comfy ambiance for attendees to get collectively, discuss store, and seize some swag.

Banner and swag at the Ahrefs workshop

Michelle Lindner kicked the evening off by warmly welcoming our company and guiding them by a stay demonstration on how one can do key phrase analysis for search engine optimisation utilizing Ahrefs.

Michelle Lindner giving a speech in front of a crowd

After Michelle’s demonstration, Joshua Hardwick took to the stage to information us by a case research on how one can construct high-authority hyperlinks that assist increase rankings.

Joshua Hardwick taking questions at the Ahrefs SEO workshop

There was then time to community and mingle with different SEOs and digital fanatics over just a few beers and a buffet.

Thanks to everybody who attended!

Day one: Every thing in its proper place

As soon as we’d acquired our BrightonSEO exhibitor stand totally stocked and brochures organized, we have been able to go. 

Ahrefs' fully stocked exhibitor stand

We’d realized from earlier BrightonSEOs that it might get very busy within the morning, and this occasion proved no completely different. 

Inside minutes of the gates opening, the convention corridor was buzzing with exercise as SEOs and entrepreneurs navigated their means across the venue.

Busy crowds at Ahrefs' exhibitor stand

We supplied freshly floor espresso at our stand, which was properly obtained by attendees. (We even noticed John Mueller having a cup.)

Ahrefs' coffee cup

In addition to the espresso, guests to our stand might seize some Ahrefs swag: books, luggage, T-shirts, bottles, stickers, and extra.

Our newbie’s information to search engine optimisation guide was certainly one of our hottest objects this time. We had so many requests that we needed to restrict the variety of books for every day so everybody acquired an opportunity to get one.

Ahrefs' SEO Book for Beginners

Our T-shirt was our second hottest swag merchandise, and other people have been proud to share that they acquired one on social media.

In addition to making a gift of a number of enjoyable stuff, occasions like this gave our staff an opportunity to meet up with our clients face to face. 

When the talks began, we had an opportunity to get into just a few extra in-depth search engine optimisation discussions with attendees.

Patrick Stox and Chris Haines talking to customers about Ahrefs

However it wasn’t all search engine optimisation. 

We had enjoyable alongside the best way, with just a few attendees even courageous sufficient to strive our momentary tattoos.

Customer getting a temporary Ahrefs tattoo

And the enjoyable didn’t cease there. 

At one level, the Brighton “search engine optimisation Gull” appeared at our stand.

SEO Gull visiting our exhibitor stand

In addition to search engine optimisation Gull, BrightonSEO had loads of well-known faces.

Listed here are just a few extra:

Technical search engine optimisation Marketing consultant Oliver Mason even stopped by our stand with Will Kennard and Owain Lloyd-Williams. We didn’t handle to snap him, however Will did afterward (type of).

Listed here are a few of my favourite audio system from day one (a mixture of newer audio system and trade veterans):

Probably the most eye-catching exhibitors was BrightLocal’s arcade stand. It was a enjoyable expertise, and we couldn’t get a few of the Ahrefs staff off it!

Wix additionally had a very enjoyable stand with a response recreation. Once we approached its stand, Crystal Carter thought it might be a good suggestion to pit me towards Joshua to see who might win a much-coveted can of Wix search engine optimisation beer. 

With the stakes so excessive, Joshua’s reflexes grew to become like a bolt of lightning, and he received the can of beer in a single spherical.

Following a busy first day, the staff gathered for a meal on the Salt Room.

Ahrefs team sitting around the dinner table at the Salt Room

We then tried to seize just a few hours of sleep earlier than one other busy day.

Day two: Eat, sleep, search engine optimisation, repeat

After restocking the stand, we have been prepared for day two. The solar was nonetheless shining, and the seagulls have been squawking.

Sunny, outside view of the Brighton center

Our espresso stand proved much more helpful on the second day after varied after-parties the evening earlier than.

Each Andrei Țiț and Patrick Stox have been talking on Friday, so it was an enormous day for our staff.

Andrei Țiț relaxing in a chair at Ahrefs' exhibitor stand

First up was Andrei. The room was so packed for Andrei’s discuss that we struggled to get in and see him ourselves. 

Andrei Țiț speaking in front of a crowd at BrightonSEO

Andrei’s discuss was properly obtained, and other people requested for the slides at our sales space nearly as quickly because it completed.

Subsequent up was Patrick. If something about technical search engine optimisation, you then’ll know who he is. 

Patrick flew out all the best way from Raleigh, North Carolina. However regardless of the lengthy journey, he introduced bucketloads of power, experience, and fervour to BrightonSEO. 

Patrick Stox at the Tech SEO panel
Patrick exhibiting which means his rankings are going.

In addition to moderating the Tech search engine optimisation panel, Patrick offered his current hreflang research.

Patrick Stox presenting his hreflang study at BrightonSEO

We have been spoiled for alternative when it got here to nice audio system this yr. You solely must click on by the talks to see they’re the who’s who of search engine optimisation.

Here’s a pattern of a few of my favourite audio system from day two (a mixture of newer audio system and trade veterans):

Last ideas

Seaside, solar, search engine optimisation, and good occasions. What extra do you want? 

BrightonSEO is certainly one of my all-time favourite search engine optimisation conferences. In the event you haven’t been but, it’s value a go to to study extra about search engine optimisation (and have some enjoyable).

Acquired questions? Ping me on X (Twitter).