Excellent summary. I'm about to hit a conference that I go to every year, but this time, I'm in a new company. Here's my process: I have a yearly conference calendar and plan out which ones I'm going to attend. I set a goal for each conference, create talking points and then start researching. 2-3 months before the conference, I start email people to set up meetings - it's a great hook and excuse for an email to reconnect. I try to book 3-5 solid meetings. In previous years I packed them in but it gets exhausting and you need to leave room for downtime and on the fly conversations. I also spend more time planning my wardrobe. It sounds silly but wearing clothing you feel good in (especially comfortable shoes) makes a HUGE difference. Another trick is to wear bright colours - people are more likely to remember you. I'll give you a summary when I return!
Love this structure, Michelle! Thank you for sharing.
I think it's great to get started early. You are pretty unique in this way -- most people I talk to don't get started until a few weeks before the conference, but the early bird definitely gets the meetings!
I also love that you don't try to pack it in. It can definitely get exhausting. That said, I think having a top priority list of people can be great and even if you don't meet them in person, you can ping them afterwards to still try to set up time.
Love that you addressed the point about clothes, too. I have spent many an hour and gone shopping just for conferences. The combination of icy cold of hotel ballrooms, being on your feet 12 hours a day, and wanting to be memorable is not easy to navigate.
I’ve definitely been wanting to go to more of these but in the early parts of a one woman company, the costs feel way to high unless I can secure a speaking gig!
Budget is definitely a constraint for smaller businesses. Before you give up, though, consider asking conference organizers if there are discount options and if there might be a way for you to contribute to the conference for a discounted ticket.
Excellent summary. I'm about to hit a conference that I go to every year, but this time, I'm in a new company. Here's my process: I have a yearly conference calendar and plan out which ones I'm going to attend. I set a goal for each conference, create talking points and then start researching. 2-3 months before the conference, I start email people to set up meetings - it's a great hook and excuse for an email to reconnect. I try to book 3-5 solid meetings. In previous years I packed them in but it gets exhausting and you need to leave room for downtime and on the fly conversations. I also spend more time planning my wardrobe. It sounds silly but wearing clothing you feel good in (especially comfortable shoes) makes a HUGE difference. Another trick is to wear bright colours - people are more likely to remember you. I'll give you a summary when I return!
Love this structure, Michelle! Thank you for sharing.
I think it's great to get started early. You are pretty unique in this way -- most people I talk to don't get started until a few weeks before the conference, but the early bird definitely gets the meetings!
I also love that you don't try to pack it in. It can definitely get exhausting. That said, I think having a top priority list of people can be great and even if you don't meet them in person, you can ping them afterwards to still try to set up time.
Love that you addressed the point about clothes, too. I have spent many an hour and gone shopping just for conferences. The combination of icy cold of hotel ballrooms, being on your feet 12 hours a day, and wanting to be memorable is not easy to navigate.
Can't wait to hear your summary when you return!
I’ve definitely been wanting to go to more of these but in the early parts of a one woman company, the costs feel way to high unless I can secure a speaking gig!
Budget is definitely a constraint for smaller businesses. Before you give up, though, consider asking conference organizers if there are discount options and if there might be a way for you to contribute to the conference for a discounted ticket.
You never know what is possible until you ask!
Good point!!! Shall try it.