Conferences are a great way to learn from your peers, industry leaders and brands. They are also a great way to make new connections and to network and to bring awareness to your brand.
You have researched the conference you want to attend and have booked it. Now what?
I wanted to pull out a few items to help your next conference you attend be a success.
Before the conference 👉 Set goals for the conference 👉 Set your agenda and schedule 👉 See who is attending and reach out to those you want to meet 👉 Twitter Chats are a great way to break the ice & to meet peeps beforehand. 👉 Follow the conference hashtag 👉 For those you want to meet, set a time and reason for meeting 👉 This is also a great time to take those social connections to IRL 👉 Important to have an updated profile pic on your social media accounts so that went you are at a conference, people can recognize you.
During the conference. 👉 Introduce yourself to others, don’t assume they remember you from social etc. 👉 Talk to the speakers 👉 Take advantage of the breaks to check email, eat, drink water etc – make sure you have some “you” time 👉 Turn on your @LinkedIn Find Nearby Feature. 👉 If you go with a group from work, make sure to sit at other tables and engage with others – carve out time to network solo 👉 Attend social events 👉 No business cards – just use your phone – take a picture of peeps holding their badge. 👉 Pick the brands you want to engage with and approach them with questions 👉 Take plenty of notes – use Evernote on your phone 👉 Write down action items after each session 👉 Take some selfies with your connections – always fun to have and to share out later. Great way to follow up on social 👉 Have fun and be yourself
After the conference 👉 Share your notes with your team when you get home 👉 Follow up with those you connected with
It is up to you to make any conference or event a success for yourself – make the most of your time and opportunity.
About the Author – Bernie Fussenegger
Proven digital marketing leader with over 26 years of background experience in QSR and healthcare that includes engaging the customers with digital experiences within CRM, eCRM, Social, Mobile, Web Content and Performance Marketing. Success with managing in a fast-paced environment and delivering strategic solutions for both the customer and franchise organization.
Solo with B2The7 – Working with small businesses on how they can target and engage their customers with digital and social solutions from real, practical experience that I have gained over the last 26 years.
Host of #Digital360Chat on Twitter – covers topics around digital, marketing and the customer. The chat takes place on Twitter every Friday at 12pm ET.
My Linkedin Profile – https://www.linkedin.com/in/berniefussenegger/My website – https://b2the7.com/My Twitter – https://twitter.com/b2the7