Years ago, when my older son came home from his first day of Kindergarten and I asked him what he’d learned, he said, “My brain is full!” After going to the NAOEM confere
nce last weekend as a speaker and an attendee, I understand how he felt.
During the two days of information-packed sessions ranging from how to market your business to growing your online presence, I was surprised at how much I learned.
Not only did I learn great tips and strategies from the speakers, I picked up a few tips from the attendees as well. This was no group of slackers!
Before you go to your next live conference, consider these tips:
- Make sure that the conference you want to attend, will help you grow your business. Unless you’re attending a conference that’s in town, going to an out-of-town conference can be expensive and may not be worth your time and money. Even if it is in town, the conference should be worth the time you’ll need to take off from your business.
- Take notes…plenty of notes. By the end of the two days, I had pages and pages of valuable notes and strategies to take my business to the next level.
- Start a To Do page. The organizer of the conference, Cathy Alessandra, provided each of us with a detailed booklet that featured each speaker’s bio and room to take notes. I took notes on the speaker’s pages, and on a separate To Do page I listed action steps. Taking notes is one thing…putting the information to use is another.
- Network, network, network. During each break, I made it a point to meet at least 3-4 new people. They even had a contest for the person who collected the most business cards. (I lost.) Almost every person I met was prepared with a one-sentence “elevator pitch.” I’d ask someone what she does and she’d answer, “I work with (insert type of business) to help them (insert three benefits). Brilliant! In one sentence I learned what they did and what type of people they helped.
I’ve “virtually” attended plenty of Webinars and at times walk away from my laptop with tips I can use. But nothing beats the energy, enthusiasm and inspiration that a group of successful entrepreneurs (both male and female) provides at a live conference. The next time a Webinar invitation hits your e-mail, think twice and maybe opt for a live conference instead.
