Maximizing Your Time at Affiliate Summit
Affiliate Summit West is just around the corner. Well, actually it starts in two days meaning you may already be in your car, sitting uncomfortably in a discount carrier, or flying high in your own private jet on your way to Las Vegas. If so - you’re in for a few days of non-stop networking, training, interacting at the Palms, and even catching a bit of live Gospel music along the way. Really - the Christian Affiliate Marketing Association is hosting a Gospel Brunch at the House of Blues Mandalay Bay Sunday morning.
Quite frankly, it’s a lot to consume in three days. Considering most in attendance will be hoarse and in need of a podiatry appointment upon return, how can participants be sure their time spent at Affiliate Summit is profitable on some level or another?
Tip #1: Check the Show’s Agenda Ahead of Time
This may sound fairly obvious, but industry vets know most days are jam packed leaving little time to preplan just about anything. Plus - if you’ve attended enough events, you find you navigate one you can navigate them all. While this may get you by, it’s not making the most of what a show has to offer.
Take Affiliate Summit West for example. At any given point during the day you can attend online marketing workshops hosted by industry experts, hob knob with new acquaintances, and listen to keynote speaker and founder of Mahalo.com, Jason Calacanis. The trouble with doing things on the fly though is that you may not know ahead of time that the top five activities on your list are all scheduled at the same time. Take your PDA and schedule workshops and activities ahead of time. Just remember not to overbook yourself and allow room for spontaneous encounters and impromptu meetings.
Tip #2: Network - Several Days Before the Show Starts
Peruse the list of attendees and make a point to contact companies of interest ahead of time to at least put your company on the map. Even if nothing comes of it, the phone time will at least put word out that your company will be at the show.
Talking to other attendees beforehand can also save you a ton of time at the actual event. Pre-event conversations may reveal the business relationship is not worth pursuing for either party. The opposite can occur as well where your initial conversation sparks interest from the other company who’s reps can meet you person with a clear idea of how the two companies can work together.
Tip #3: Market Yourself
We’ve all done it - forgotten to bring our business cards to the biggest networking event of the year. Luckily technology gives us some leeway should we forget to stash that box of 500 cards in our suitcases. Your iPhone, Blackberry or even that standard free cell phone that comes with a new plan can serve as a notepad to exchange info. A scrap of paper and “borrowed” hotel pen works fine too - functionally anyways. If there’s any convention where a business card stands out - it’s a tech related one. Companies are now passing out CDs and even USBs in lieu of the traditional business card. There are also several online companies that will print and deliver new business cards in a day.
Three pre-show tips are manageable, as you’ll have enough to think about upon setting foot in Las Vegas - especially if you’ve just realized you left the office without your business cards.