How to get the most out of this event

I’ve attended a good number of SEO/SEM events through the years and I spend most of my time networking at them.  Here’s how to get the most out of this networking event:

1) Remember, we’re all internet geeks.  Everyone there knows what you do and is there for the same reason.  Link development, seo, pay per click, optimization, none of this is boring or confusing.  Everyone there is just like you - ready to give a big sigh of relief because FINALLY we’ve got someone to talk to that doesn’t go glassy eyed after an hour of talking about link development.

2) Everyone wants to talk and learn.  Open a conversation.  Here’s how I open conversations.  I sit beside someone and say “Hi, how are you doing?”.  They respond with ‘great’. Then I just ask ‘So, what do you do for a living’.  And that’s it!  Try it.  Ask the person beside you what they do for a living. Everyone wants to talk at these events. In fact, that’s the entire purpose of this event.  The two presentations are there simply for a draw and to get the conversation going. (My icebreaker sounds nerdy.  It is.  But it works. )

3) Show up early.  Enjoy a coffee.  Get a head start on the conversation.  I’ll likely be there by 3, 4 at the latest.   C’mon down and say hi.  I’ll ask you what you do for a living :).

4) Share.  If you’re an expert, share.  If you’re a newb, share your thoughts.  When I was a newb (still am in many respects) I had one or two seasoned pros give me indepth guidance.  I’ve since sent some of those folks clients.  Others, I’ve been able to help them out as I’ve become more knowledgeable.  I’m not a fan of ‘karma’ but in this small industry, the effect is the same.  Sharing plants the seeds in others in the community that will eventually come back to you.

5) Don’t assume the person next to you who acts like a newb, is in fact a newb. They may have 50 employees and servers spanning the globe.  People in this industry don’t have to dress up to go to work, and many don’t.  Many don’t even brush their teeth in the morning, but that’s a whole other story :).

Looking forward to seeing you there!