What to do IRL at the conference
What to do at the conference to maximize your impact and outcomes
Hi cuties - I hope this email finds you well 🙃
Please never start your cold emails that way… 🤣
Do as I say, not as I do. jkjk
Okay, this is part 3 of our four-part series on conference season prep! This week, we’re covering what to do at the conference—that’s right, IRL.
Ready?
What to do IRL at the conference
Attend sessions with speakers who are your prospects
If you’re attending the right conferences, your prospects will likely not only be there, but some may be speaking live.
This is your chance to -
Ask thoughtful questions at the end of their session (get their attention!)
Hang around after their session and try to grab even 30 seconds to say hi and shake their hand (get their attention!)
Take notes and send a thoughtful follow-up after
“Attended your session at CONF X. Really loved the analogy you gave about xxx. Couldn’t agree with you more on xxxx. Sadly, I didn’t get a chance to meet you in person, and I would love to find some time to get acquainted.
For context, I am xx and we do xxx…..”
Even better if they happen to be on the panel with someone you already know or who is a client. Drop that name in your note too.
Take a sh*t ton of notes, this is a content gold mine
Take a sh*t ton of notes that you can turn into a blog (or two) or a social media post (or two) about what you learned.
One year, I attended a fairly expensive healthcare conference. I took copious notes and shared them with all of my healthcare tech clients afterward. As a bonus, I also sent them the attendee list with contact info. They were extremely grateful.
Pictures, or it didn’t happen
Take those selfies, take pictures with other attendees. Use those in your blogs, social, and other marketing.
Pro Tip: Take pictures or videos of your prospects on their panels and include those assets in your follow-up.
“Ps - I snagged a few shots and some video of you speaking. Figured it might be helpful for your marketing team to use.”
Make friends with the conference producers
Take the time to meet with the conference producers. Get their contact info and connect with them on LinkedIn, etc.
Get on their radar for speaking opportunities next year.
Make friends with everyone, everywhere
Yep, in the line for food, coffee, the bathroom.
Keep your head up (out of your phone), make eye contact, and smile at everyone. Be approachable and strike up a conversation.
If you’re at the right conference, there is no ‘bad’ connection you can make. It might be a future partner, employee, advisor…or, of course, a potential client.
With love and gratitude -
If you want to learn more about working with me directly…
For B2B startups I serve as a Fractional GTM executive or advisor. Learn more about-
When you’re ready, let’s connect to discuss your specific growth goals and challenges.
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