Writer's Digest Conference Scene
Sidebar: How to Make the Most of Conference Connections
Conferences can be a great opportunity to meet others in your field, but attending alone can be daunting. If you’re meeting on-site, start by talking to those around you. If you’re online, take the opportunity breakout groups afford to strike up conversations. These steps can help establish contacts and even long-term friendships. You can gain more visibility by becoming a presenter, session facilitator, or volunteer.
Identify who you want to connect with before you get to the conference. Follow the event hashtag on Twitter, peruse the agenda, or ask those in your existing network who will be there.
If your goal is to build on relationships you already have, such as folks you want to reconnect with or get to know better, follow the event on social channels to see who else may be attending. Consider reaching out to colleagues beforehand to schedule a coffee or a meal while you’re there. Conference social events are also a wonderful opportunity to connect in a more relaxed setting. Taking a discussion online after the conference is a great option for others to get to know you better and to continue your topic of choice.
Session presenters and fellow attendees offer a wealth of information, so don’t be afraid to ask questions, chat with them, and collect business cards. Follow-up by sending a LinkedIn request (your personalized “Thanks for talking with me …” will be better received than a generic reach), following them on Twitter or Instagram, or subscribing to their newsletter, for example. Where appropriate, set up a call or face-to-face meeting with anyone you want to do business with or build a relationship.
Make the most of each conference — gather notes on each speaker, take photos for social media content (this can also help you put names and faces together later), and present the highlights to your team or colleagues upon your return. Each of these steps can help you grow your contacts while positioning you as a person of influence.
—Writer's Digest | Mar/Apr 2021
