#TahoeTechTalk: Top 5 Tips for Surviving a Tech Conference
SOO!!! I am over at #TahoeTechTalk ... having an uberly awesome good time. Dude!!! Totally met @garyvee and @kevinrose last night!!! You have no idea what that did to my nerdy knickers ... goodness gracious, Kevin is one hot nerd. WHHHEEWWIIIEEEEEEEEE!!!! Any-wahoodle, here are some of my top tips for making the most out of a conference.
1. Whenever possible, go solo.
I can't even BEGIN to tell you how many things I go to alone. For real, how else are you expected to meet people and network? I have a horrible habit of hanging with the people I know at conferences versus mingling. I have to make a conscious effort to go up to people, and say hello. It is something I had to condition myself to do. It just isn't natural to walk up to a group of people and say, what's up homeslices!!! But trust me, they want to know you too ... they are just more likely than not stuck in their own rut.
2. At the cocktail reception, have a glass of wine in your hand, but don't get drunk.
This one is actually important ... I have a strict rule of never being seen mingling at an event without a drink in my hand. I am a very intense person alcohol or not, and people are just much more at ease if they think you have been drinking, and have "taken the edge off." It's a weird psychological cue that will enable you to make the most out of the time you are mingling. It works like a mother effin charm!
In AA? No problemo! Get a club soda with lime, or ginger ale ... just SOMETHING that looks like you are a bit more relaxed.
This picture has absolutely no relevance. It just made me laugh ... hahaha OHHH horse!!! You're so silly trying to play with his willy!3. Coffee. Coffee. Coffee.
These things can be long and very tiring by the end, let coffee be your friend. It loves you, so why not love it back? The people you are engaging with will be more attracted to someone who appears to be more awake. We can always tell when someone is a bit burned out.
4. Have your elevator pitch ready.
I know this sounds super lame, and straight from one of those stupid marketing books, but its actually pretty true! Sell me in 15 seconds. Tell me about yourself and what you do, but have it ready. Starting with, "oh I can't say, it's top secret" .... or "well, I do a little bit of everything" is a huge turn off. What is your area of expertise? Why the hell did you spend money on this thing? Know your role, and sell it. Now's the time! So, go for it - we actually want to know.
5. Work the room, but not the entire room.
We've all seen that person at the party that flutters around like the cracked out social butterfly, but what is the impact that they are leaving each individual with? I usually only work about 40% of the room. Trust me, the other 60% knows, as I always make eye contact and smile graciously as I walk through a crowd, but I won't engage with everyone. It feels cheap. Actually CARE about the people you are talking to. Ask them questions about what they do ... remember, it is a converssattiioonnnn. We quickly forget because we are usually so excited about our projects - but remember, we are here to engage and interact. It is much more powerful to leave a great first impression on 10 people, than a hurried so-so exchange on 100.
Got a tip for surviving a tech conference? Drop me a tweet! Let me know what's up! @JenFriel