Branding Friday (Well, Saturday): Working Conventions
Written on September 26, 2009 by admin
I am so wrapped up at the conference I’m attending this weekend (Type A Mom) that I forgot to write my post yesterday. But that gives me a great topic for my branding post: working conventions. No matter what industry you’re in, there are conferences you can attend to learn more on your field and network with people in your industry.
Sometimes it’s hard to know that a contact will be worthwhile for a long time. I attended BlogWorld Expo last year and am only now reaping the benefit of some of the contacts I made. The point is to find people you’re aligned with. Find people you can give referrals to or that you can see working with, if not now then later.
At your first conference, you naturally might be ill at ease. Not to worry. So is everyone else. Force yourself to talk to people. Network. Soon you’ll be bonding with people who “get” what it is you do because they’re in the same or related industry. Exchange cards. Ask about what they do. Tell them what you do. Don’t be afraid to toot your own horn, but don’t push. You’re not there to sell but to start a new relationship. After the conference you can follow up and see if there’s a way to collaborate.
So in talking about how I’m branding myself, this weekend I’ve talked to a ton of people about blogger outreach, my newly found niche. I was more representing GiveDaddy, which needs branding in and of itself, but meeting so many brands and bloggers, it was only natural that the conversation led that direction. So now more people know that I connect brands and bloggers. And I made relationships that I believe will turn fruitful. How about you?
My goals for the next week are to keep doing this. I’m headed to IZEAFest next week (sigh. no sleep) so I will work harder on spreading the word on my niche and my brand.
Great post, just what I was looking for. I am also headed to IZEAFest this week, lol, was about to write next week! Yippee,,, but this is my first conference and not only that but I landed my ticket late and made plans about 2 weeks ago, hence little time to prepare as I would have. I am super excited to meet several people that I have been friends via Facebook and Twitter and even some new ones I have met just looking up and keeping up with the upcoming IZEAFest news. I hope our paths cross while there for a few minutes of chatting. Funny because before I ever knew you were attending I had subscribed in my reader to keep up with your future post… great site all in all too!
Safe travels on you way to Orlando.
It’s a good summery. I think you have hit the bull’s eye with amazing yet simple sentences & built the curiosity.
Suzan, as a attendee of convention, you could have built more significance & clear vision about rewards of convention.