Later this week, I will be attending Shecon, a new media expo/conference taking place on Miami’s South Beach. And while the location is fabulous and the parties, schwag, and events are fabulous, the primary reason why I am attending is to learn and connect with others.
Conferences are a good way to network, build morale, learn new and interesting techniques, and build your brand. Here are a few tips you can use to get the most our of your next social media/blogging conference:
Have An Agenda:
Get your money’s worth from a conference by having an agenda and pursuing it relentlessly while you are there. Have a few notebooks with you to write down notes and information as well as a bring a list of things you want to know/learn/do/ask. Write your agenda down and keep it with you to refer to during the conference. Most of you will be paying money out of your pocket to attend a conference, so get your money’s worth by being productive. You want to leave the conference with more than when you came.
Don’t Be A Groupie
Do not be a groupie during the event. We all have bloggers and other Internet media people that we love and respect, but you want to also learn from these people, not just tweet about meeting them and displaying groupie-like behavior. Use the conference as a way to learn valuable information, not be star-struck.
Be On Time
Almost all conference and events have an agenda that is published beforehand. Know your travel times and how long it will take you to get from the hotel to the conference, and arrive at least ten minutes early so you can prepare and get your mind right before the speakers and panelists begin.
You Are Your Brand
Even when speaking during an off the record conversation with a fellow blogger or social media guru, keep in mind that you are your brand and you should act accordingly. Don’t be the one that goes out during the group activity who gets drunk and passes out in the corner. These people will remember you and you just may run into them again at another event or conference, and word will get out about your behavior. Have fun, but do not go overboard and remember that you are your brand.
Don’t Be A Wallflower
You’ve paid all of this money for a flight and hotel and other incidentals. Now why would you want to be a wallflower? Network, schmooze, talk, smile, and engage! Don’t let your money go down the drain waiting for people to approach you. Take the initiative and walk around and introduce yourself.
Be Prepared
Have your business cards with you and make sure it has all of your correct information. How much time you will waste crossing out your phone number and writing a new one each time you hand someone your business card? Have the cards readily available so you can give them to other attendees.
Keep The Momentum
I don’t know how many times I’ve known that one of my fellow bloggers was at a conference or an event for several days and their blog remains un-updated during the duration of the time. Not good. Make sure you have a few blog posts on deck so that during conference, you can release them and still engage your readers and your audience. Not having a blog post or two for a few days could lower your readership and page views.
I hope that the above-mentioned tips can help you during your next social media or blogging conference and/or event. Do you have any additional tips you want to share?
great tips that i will be sure to use while attending Blogging While Brown!
Great advice!
Well that was pretty elementary… i have not had the pleasure of attend a blogging conference but I am anxious to attend one.