What’s Hot and What’s Not at a Conference

Conference season has started.  You want to be the coolest chic in the room – here’s your guide to what’s hot and what’s not at a conference.

NOT – Giving a monologue about you and your product.

Nobody cares. Seriously. People buy from people they know, like and trust.  If someone has just met you, they won’t be buying from you… yet. Stop talking. Get to know them.

HOT – Listening and asking questions about everyone you meet.

Find out who in the room can help you; who has a network that will benefit you; who will help grow your business.

NOT – Giving out your business card to anyone within a 5 meter radius of you.

I guarantee they will be filed in bin 13 – the garbage – because they won’t remember, they won’t have a personal connection with you and… they won’t care.

HOT – Hand out your business card only when someone asks for it.

If someone asks for your card, you have peaked their interest – they think you can help them or they want to continue a conversation with you – awesome! As Keith Ferrazzi says “Treat your business card like a $100 bill. Only give it to people who deserve it”.

NOT- Signing up the people you meet to your email list.

That is called spam. If I have not signed up for your email list then you MAY NOT sign me up just because we met. It’s wrong. ‘nuff said.

HOT – Having a great offering for people who choose to sign up for your email list.

Hey, for sure encourage people to stay connected and learn more about you through your email list – but you have to give to get.  Have a great giveaway to get someone’s email address. Nothing is free in our world.

NOT – Attending because everyone else is.

It sucks to be the copy cat. You won’t get anything out of a conference if you simply attend because others you know are attending.

HOT – Having a clear intention for the conference.

Girl, know what you want out of the conference before you step foot in the door. Are you there to network? To Learn? To connect with brands? What is your purpose to attend and how can you hold yourself accountable?

NOT – Having outdated business cards.

Your business card is a visual representation of you and what you do. If it is not accurate or clearly reflecting you, your business and your contact details – it ain’t worth sh*t.

HOT- Updating your promotional material to accurately reflect where you are TODAY with your business. 

Do a smaller print run if you are in transition. Include a call to action, or even personalize your materials for the event you are attending. I am about to work with The UPS Store to design and print business cards and postcards for all the conferences I will be attending this year.

NOT – Having too many drinks and being incoherent at the parties.

You are your brand. You are representing your business at all times at a conference. Unless you are Business Girls Gone Wild, then being drunk and disorderly should be saved for home.

HOT – Socialize and enjoy the company of people you meet.

Sure, have a glass or wine or two. Keep the conversation light and lively. Know that you are always representing your brand and subconsciously people are feeling you out – do they want to work with you, do they want to buy from you? Just be the authentic, wonderful you. We all know who THAT person is… Don’t be THAT person. Have fun!

What are your tips for attending a conference? Any Hot or Nots to share?