How to Create a Thriving Online & Offline Community

In this episode of Local Marketing Beat, we’re joined by Areej AbuAli, founder of Women in Tech SEO, and Krystal Taing, Director of Solutions at Uberall, to explore how one of the most empowering communities in SEO went from a simple idea to a global movement. We discuss how WTS grew from a London meetup into a worldwide network with 10,000+ members, how brands can build trust and inclusion through community, and what marketers can learn from grassroots initiatives that genuinely connect people. If you care about digital marketing, SEO, or authentic brand-building, this one’s for you. 👇 Timestamps below to jump into what interests you most: ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 - Intro 00:20 - Episode overview: Women in Tech SEO 01:35 - How Areej founded the WTS community 02:55 - From local meetups to global reach 04:00 - When WTS became more than a meetup 05:15 - Krystal’s early experience with WTS 06:40 - Why this community feels different from other SEO groups 07:55 - The power of member-led growth 09:00 - Code of conduct and creating a safe space 10:00 - What makes WTS so inclusive 11:00 - How SEO, content, and newsletters drive visibility 12:20 - Blending online and offline: Conferences and community 14:00 - How community helps overcome the fear of networking 15:20 - Practical tips for brands building community 16:40 - Local examples: Gyms, meetups & micro-connections 18:00 - Quality over quantity in community building 19:00 - How to join or recommend Women in Tech SEO 20:00 - Why free, supported communities matter 21:00 - Final thoughts: The future of community marketing in the AI era 22:30 - How brands can create spaces where real interaction thrives 24:00 - Wrap-up & thanks 🎓 Explore Uberall Academy Want to level up your skills? Check out certifications and free marketing courses at https://academy.uberall.com 👀 Subscribe for more insights on local marketing, community strategy, and brand growth. 📍 Learn more at: https://www.uberall.com 🎧 Listen to more episodes: Local Marketing Beat #WomenInTechSEO #CommunityMarketing #SEOMarketing #DigitalMarketing #Uberall #LocationMarketing #BrandCommunity #WTS #MarketingStrategy #InclusionInTech Visit us at: uberall.com