Whether its an event with your business or a networking event, there are some key things that go into getting the most out of a live event.
You want to come away from the live event having gained some traction.
That traction might be in the form of people to talk to about your business, or it might be finding mentors within your industry.
When you show up for live events, people take you more seriously. That’s just a fact whether we like it or not.
So why not plan ahead and do what it takes to make the time and money you invested pay off for you?
Key 1: Arrive Early
A key mistake that people make is arriving at the “start” of an event.
In reality, an event starts when the leaders arrive. Many times those folks come in early in order to do things associated with the event or just network with each other. If you are there early, you can be the bird that gets the worm…also known as one-on-one interaction with leaders before events get crazy.
Key 2: Stay Where the Action Is
Don’t look for the cheapest accommodations in the area of the event. Make the sacrifice to stay in the event location. Do that even if it means that you have to room with someone else or multiple people.
The reason is quite simple. Staying somewhere else takes you out of the action zone. Just like arriving early, being on the scene for late night opportunities for connections and interaction cannot be underrated.
There are ways to cut corners for tight budgets when attending live events. Staying somewhere other than the event location is just not one of them.
Key 3: Identify Contacts
You should have in your mind a list of people you want to meet.
Going through a live event with no strategy means that you leave to chance whether or not you meet people who need to know you and whom you need to know.
While you can’t know everyone who’ll be at an event, you should expect that anyone who is a real leader will be there. Take that premise, and make your list.
Then actively work your list when you arrive at the event. Work with urgency so you don’t leave key people to the last day.
Key 4: Bring Business Cards…and Collect Them
You don’t have to be in prospecting mode to give someone your card. But when you make a good connection with someone, it’s professional to be able to hand them your card.
Be sure to get theirs, too. After all, you want to build that relationship long-term and have a way to do that.
Why not just rely on putting numbers into your telephone?
I hope the answer is obvious. What happens if something happens to your phone?
After you exchange cards, you can enter their information into your phone, but don’t rely just on your phone.
Key 5: Take Pictures
I’ll admit…this one is tough for me. I’ve never been good at taking pictures, and I don’t really enjoy it.
But if you are an online marketer, taking pictures at live events where you are rubbing shoulders with leaders in the industry and using those pictures in your marketing builds your street credibility.
It’s also just a great record of your business over the long haul.
I learned the value of this particular step from my friend, Diane Hochman.
The picture above is us at a live event last summer. It was amazing to put faces and voices together, and I’ll have that memory forever memorialized in this photo.
Key 6: Stay Late
Just like arriving early, those who stay late end up getting the extra serving of meat to go with what they got during the live event.
For example, I stayed late at a live event I went to last weekend. Because I did, I was one of a handful of people in a hotel suite with the couple who make the top check in my primary company.
It doesn’t matter how long you’ve known leadership at that level. It only matters that you foster the relationship and continually learn from these kinds of mentors. You can’t do that if you aren’t there!
Key 7: Take Action
If you learned some key practice pointers at the live event, you must implement them within 2-3 days of a live event or it is likely that you never will.
So come out of the live event with an action plan.
The same goes for contacts that you’ve made if, for example, you were at a live event not connected to your primary company and got a contact for your business. If you wait more than a day or two before you follow up to get in front of that person, the connection fades quickly.
So take live events seriously. Do these steps, and you’ll get traction for the time and money you’ve invested to attend.
Contact me and let me know what you thought of this post, and let me know how I can help you end your search.
God bless, and don’t forget to go light your lamp.
Lynne
