Whenever link-building is discussed, the primary focus of the conversation almost always lies in online methods. This is a natural instinct, since links are an entirely digital commodity, but it may blind marketers to the many opportunities away from the keyboard. Capitalizing on local resources gives your business access to link opportunities your competitors may miss, with the added side-effect of strengthening connections for other projects. These are five of the most effective ways to build links offline.

Reaching Out to Friends

The first and most obvious option is the least likely to make a noticeable difference in your SEO, but it can yield surprising results nonetheless. More and more people are using the Internet as a platform to voice their opinions and share new ideas. You may be surprised to find that your personal friend runs a blog or is active on social media, which can translate into fruitful collaborations and shout-outs.

Conducting Interviews

Interviews are great publicity for both the interviewer and the interviewee. The speaker will be happy to link to a video or transcript, and in exchange he or she benefits from the increased visibility and credibility of being sought out as an expert.

Find experienced individuals in your area and industry and start learning about what subjects most interest them. If one topic strikes you as suitable for your business' customers, arrange a meeting and post the finished product on a blog or social media. Be sure to include details about the interviewee and a courteous link back to his or her website.

Sponsoring Local Interests

Sponsoring an event improves public perception and garners back-links from domains that tend to rank well on search engines, all while giving back to the community. There are usually plenty of charity walks, marathons, teams or conferences in need of donors, and in exchange your business should be given credit where it matters most. When others talk about the event online, they are likely to add even more links to the total.

Attending Business Events

Conferences bring business-people together to share ideas, make connections and learn about the future of their field. If there are few events in your area, consider hosting one yourself. This puts your company in control of publicity and invitations, and taking the initiative can cause potential link-building partners to emerge from previously unknown places.

There are many tools such as EventBrite or Meetup to help organize these conferences, and they are also a good place to hunt down other events in your area. Leave plenty of information, including a link to your domain, while RSVPing on these services.

Utilizing Organization Directories

Ever since Google began cracking down on Web spam, directories have become a dirty word in SEO. Some, though, are more helpful than others, and these are often found on a local level. There are many organizations that are happy to promote your business in exchange for a positive story or reputation.

Chambers of Commerce, for example, highlight local businesses and have over a century of authority behind their links. College alumni associations are another promising avenue, since they are always looking for successful graduates to show prospective students and investors.

Remaining seated at a computer day after day is unhealthy for both body and mind, but heading outside does not mean that your business has to suffer. By remaining aware of the opportunities around you at all times, you can build more and better links than ever before.

Author Bio: Toronto SEO expert Paul Teitelman brings his clients a comprehensive approach to managing their business online. For more information about Paul and his services, visit www.paulteitelman.com/services/seo-consulting today.