FreelanceCampVancouver2010 was sold out before it ever began. The Network Hub was filled to the brim with excited freelancers, entrepreneurs, and independent business owners who came together for discussions, demos, and interaction in sessions proposed onsite by attendees.
In preparation to attend, my ever-inquisitive business partner Bonnie Sainsbury went through the list of those registered, to make some connections in advance. Imagine her surprise to find that only a few people had added so much as their website to their registration info. They were coming, but until someone could actually shake their hands….they were as good as invisible online!
Being social-media-savvy, and a persistent sort, Bonnie did manage to find a few people….but the intent of the event was to increase business exposure. People were letting an opportunity pass them by(!)…all of which explains how Bonnie came to speak at Freelance Camp herself. See her notes, below, if you would rather be VISIBLE yourself:
Preconference
Prior to the conference or meeting, check on the event website for organizers, speakers and attendees. Are there links to their social networking accounts? Follow the anyone you can find on Twitter, Linkedin and Facebook. Don’t forget to mention the conference when you ask to connect with them. Mention you will be attending the conference to your social networking contacts. When registering for the conference, pay special attention to opportunities to display your social networking account credentials and your blog url.
Ensure your social networking account credentials are displayed on your landing page. There are numerous free social networking logos on the internet. Link your account to the logo and you’re done.
Don’t be shy or invisible. There were 43 people who missed the opportunity to advertise their web presence on the eventbrite website for Freelance Camp.
At the Conference
When you arrive to register, ask for the wireless password and the hashtag for the event. If you’re able to access the internet during the event, send out at least three mentions of the conference each day. Ask everyone you meet for their twitter id, it’s the easiest to remember and you can find their other accounts from their twitter id. At the end of each day, when you have internet access, mention the folks you met that made an impact on you.
After the Conference
When you return home, on twitter, facebook and linkedin mention you attended the event and specifically mention people you met or speaker(s) who’s presentation you enjoyed. Take the time to follow the folks you made contact with on twitter, linkedin and facebook. Don’t forget to mention the conference you have in common in the invitation to connect. On twitter, search for the hashtag for the event and connect with the people you didn’t have a chance to meet during the event. Have a conversation with the people you connected with in the week after the event. Not sure what to say? Retweet someone, listen – what are they talking about? Remember, if you don’t provide value, you’re spamming ..
Afterwards Bonnie did tell me that having friends and supporters like Sales Guru Howard Olson, Webnames Exec Cybele Negris, and Super-blogger John Chow in the audience was a little daunting. She did a fine job – see John’s blog for more.