Just got back from Pop!Tech, a conference for "world changing people, projects and ideas". (poptech.org) I've attended off and on since 1997. As usual I have a lot of notes not only on the content but the people I met as well. Can't wait till next year!C-Ya.
WAIT! Don't just close the books on the conference for another year! Do something about it! After all did you take notes just to look busy? What about those people you met? Here are 5 things every conference attendee should do immediately after returning (or on the return trip):
- Add your contacts to LinkedIn
- Re-Read your notes
- Create an action plan
- Upload photos to Facebook
- Write a Blog about the event
Some of the things above are great on the plane ride home, other when you first get back to the office. And I mean First! I know, I know you are back from days away from you desk and work has piled up. BUT you need to ask yourself why you paid money to attend if you were not going to do something. The act of DOING seems to take a back seat to learning. Not anymore because you are going through the 5 steps above.
Add Your New Contacts To LinkedIn. Why LinkedIn you are asking? Well unless you have telenotes and can dictate your contacts via the phone, you have a lot of typing to do. I just search on the name and all the rest of the info is there. Plus in LinkedIn I can see who else works for the company and gather more intelligence about the new contact. Later I'll add them to facebook so I can wish my new contact a happy birthday.
Re-Read Your Notes. I don't know about you but sometimes I can't understand what I wrote. Especially months afterwards. I find if I re-read and make further notes back at the hotel that evening the talks and impressions are locked in.
Create An Action Plan. "be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only" James 1:22 This verse of scripture haunts me at times when I heard a great talk noting I should make a change. But never made it a plan. We hear great things but if we are not going to implement them why go?
Upload Photos to Facebook. This is part of my devious find their birthday plan. I take pictures of various things and people at these conferences. Mostly as part of my continuing study of networking events, but I discovered attendees love to see photos. This last year I took some pictures of an art sculpture where people had climbed in to pose. They told me post it on facebook. From there I had a few others friend me to see the photos. I just took the meeting people at a conference to a new level. The other plus as I mentioned before is birthday notices.
Write A Blog About The Event. What this does is two things. One it solidifies the most important take away from the event. After all in producing the blog you will probably only spout out what impressed you the most. Two it brands you as a person who wants to better themselves though continuing education. You show you clients and prospective clients you are open to new ideas and learning.
Fred Abaroa
The Marketing Imagineer
Fred [@] TMIFred.com
@TMIFred 
Thursday, July 14, 2011 at 11:54AM 
I've been in some intense marketing meeting where I hear how many followers, fans and contact the company has yet they don't see an increase. This is one of those times when I make the dumb statement and look really smart. "Are you having a conversation with those followers, fans, and contacts?" Take a look at your social media streams. If all you see are anouncements and specials your just being a billboard. The benefit of social media is the social. Treat it like your there in person. Find a group and join the conversation. Build on common beliefs, be witty and attractive. Use your best "Pick Up" lines and read my book The Pickup Artist: Business Contacts.
