Effective Strategies for attending Conferences & Networking Events
Networking and attending conferences are essential for building professional relationships and expanding your business horizons. But let’s be real—these events can also be overwhelming. Between the business cards, branded swag, and pamphlets that pile up, how do you ensure it’s all worth the effort? It all comes down to having a game plan for making the most of your experience and following through after the event.
In this post, I’ll share practical tips to help you organize the marketing information you collect, build connections that matter, and create a follow-up routine that maximizes your return on investment (ROI).
1. Pre-Event Preparation is Key
The road to effective networking starts before you walk through the doors. Here’s how to set yourself up for success:
Elevate Your Personal Presentation: Confidence starts with feeling good about yourself. Before the event, prioritize personal hygiene—take a shower, use your favorite scented lotion or cologne (Vanilla scent is often recommended for networking events because its scent is generally considered pleasing, calming, and non-intrusive, which can help create a positive and approachable impression on others, making it a good choice for social situations like networking gatherings) and freshen up with toothpaste and mouthwash. Feeling clean and polished boosts your confidence and leaves a lasting impression.
Define Your Goals: Know your "why" before you attend. Are you looking to connect with a videographer, find a brand strategist, or meet potential team members? Make a list of must-meet individuals and research them ahead of time.
Leverage Your Circle: If you’re an introvert, bring along an extroverted friend to help break the ice. Let them know their role is to initiate conversations—not dominate them—so you can step in and shine.
2. Set clear objectives, identifying key attendees you want to connect with, and understanding the event's agenda. Make a list of who you NEED to meet like Videographers, brand strategist, potential team members etc…. If your an introvert bring an extroverted friend who can start conversations & ensure that they are aware that you need them to break the ice. Not take over the conversation but break the ice. This proactive approach will help you make the most of your time and resources.
3. 2. Stay Organized During the Event
Conferences are notorious for overloading attendees with swag and materials. Keep things under control with these strategies:
Bring a Dedicated Bag: Use a stylish tote or backpack to separate your event materials from personal items. This keeps you prepared without feeling overwhelmed.
Categorize on the Go: As you collect swag, sort it into sections. Business cards go in one pocket, pamphlets in another. A little organization now saves time later. I like to take my meeting book with me so that I can sit at lunch & dump my brain in an organized fashion using a detailed meeting book. I do this while the room (crowd of people) leave or I let traffic die down.
This this notebook allows me to capture all the conversation notes in my head that I need to remember.
Be Selective with Swag: Only pick up items that align with your goals or have practical use. If it’s not worth carrying home, leave it behind.
3. Post-Event Organization and Follow-Up
The event may be over, but your work is just beginning. Here’s how to capitalize on your experience:
Digitize Contacts: Use an app like CamCard, Blinq or your phone’s camera to scan business cards and save them in a dedicated digital folder.
Prioritize Connections: Sort your contacts by value. Who needs immediate follow-up, and who can wait? Talk to your phone & advise it to remind you on the next biz day to grab you meeting journal & followup via email.
Follow Up with Intent: Draft personalized emails or messages that mention specific conversations you had during the event. People appreciate thoughtful follow-ups, and it sets you apart. If you have a CRM (Client Relationship Management system) it should be able to support you well & automate your actions also. I use Honeybook to manage my business so the follow I need to complete is super easy & all in one software. Check out HoneyBook here…
Make Swag Work for You: Got branded items? Use them! Snap photos with the swag and post them on social media. Tag the brand and share your takeaways from the event. This increases your visibility and builds rapport.
4. Declutter Your Workspace
Don’t let the new materials you bring back take over your workspace. Use the "one in, one out" rule to keep your area organized. For every new item you integrate, remove something outdated or no longer useful.
5. Share the Knowledge
Turn your experiences into valuable content for your audience:
Create a Pinterest graphic or YouTube video showing off your favorite swag and tips.
Share quick organizational hacks on Instagram Reels or TikTok.
Post your top takeaways on LinkedIn, and invite others to share theirs in the comments.
By doing this, you solidify your own learning while positioning yourself as a resource in your field.
Here’s an updated version of your blog post with a professional, educated, and urban tone that aligns with your goals. I've added details to enhance engagement and optimize for Pinterest and YouTube promotion:
EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES FOR ATTENDING CONFERENCES & NETWORKING EVENTS
Networking and attending conferences are essential for building professional relationships and expanding your business horizons. But let’s be real—these events can also be overwhelming. Between the business cards, branded swag, and pamphlets that pile up, how do you ensure it’s all worth the effort? It all comes down to having a game plan for making the most of your experience and following through after the event.
In this post, I’ll share practical tips to help you organize the marketing information you collect, build connections that matter, and create a follow-up routine that maximizes your return on investment (ROI).
1. Pre-Event Preparation is Key
The road to effective networking starts before you walk through the doors. Here’s how to set yourself up for success:
Elevate Your Personal Presentation: Confidence starts with feeling good about yourself. Before the event, prioritize personal hygiene—take a shower, use your favorite scented lotion or cologne, and freshen up with toothpaste and mouthwash. Feeling clean and polished boosts your confidence and leaves a lasting impression.
Define Your Goals: Know your "why" before you attend. Are you looking to connect with a videographer, find a brand strategist, or meet potential team members? Make a list of must-meet individuals and research them ahead of time.
Leverage Your Circle: If you’re an introvert, bring along an extroverted friend to help break the ice. Let them know their role is to initiate conversations—not dominate them—so you can step in and shine.
2. Stay Organized During the Event
Conferences are notorious for overloading attendees with swag and materials. Keep things under control with these strategies:
Bring a Dedicated Bag: Use a stylish tote or backpack to separate your event materials from personal items. This keeps you prepared without feeling overwhelmed.
Categorize on the Go: As you collect swag, sort it into sections. Business cards go in one pocket, pamphlets in another. A little organization now saves time later.
Be Selective with Swag: Only pick up items that align with your goals or have practical use. If it’s not worth carrying home, leave it behind.
3. Post-Event Organization and Follow-Up
The event may be over, but your work is just beginning. Here’s how to capitalize on your experience:
Digitize Contacts: Use an app like CamCard or your phone’s camera to scan business cards and save them in a dedicated digital folder.
Prioritize Connections: Sort your contacts by value. Who needs immediate follow-up, and who can wait?
Follow Up with Intent: Draft personalized emails or messages that mention specific conversations you had during the event. People appreciate thoughtful follow-ups, and it sets you apart.
Make Swag Work for You: Got branded items? Use them! Snap photos with the swag and post them on social media. Tag the brand and share your takeaways from the event. This increases your visibility and builds rapport.
4. Declutter Your Workspace
Don’t let the new materials you bring back take over your workspace. Use the "one in, one out" rule to keep your area organized. For every new item you integrate, remove something outdated or no longer useful.
Download all 12 Decluttering Tips @ https://www.dallasorganizer.com/freebies
5. Share the Knowledge
Turn your experiences into valuable content for your audience:
Create a Pinterest graphic or YouTube video showing off your favorite swag and tips.
Share quick organizational hacks on Instagram Reels or TikTok.
Post your top takeaways on LinkedIn, and invite others to share theirs in the comments.
By doing this, you solidify your own learning while positioning yourself as a resource in your field.
6. Engage Your Audience with Video
Consider recording a short video highlighting your conference swag bag. Share what you loved most and how you’re putting it to good use. This adds a personal touch and drives engagement on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Final Thoughts
Effective networking doesn’t stop when the conference ends—it continues with how you organize and leverage the materials and connections you’ve gained. By applying these strategies, you can transform a chaotic pile of business cards and swag into meaningful opportunities and long-term relationships.
So go ahead—plan, network, and thrive!
Next Steps
Want more tips on staying organized for success? Join my Organize & Thrive community, where we turn big goals into achievable plans. Don’t forget to pin this post for future reference and follow my YouTube channel for exclusive content!
