An Introvert's Guide to Conferences
- 1. AN INTROVERT’S GUIDE TO CONFERENCES Or how to talk people when you’d rather be in the corner.
- 3. Introverts tend to recharge by spending time alone. They lose energy from being around people for long periods of time, particularly large crowds. …this is bad news for conferences… …but you can overcome it! FUN FACT: The difference between extroverts and introverts could be levels of arousal – the extent to which our minds and bodies are alert and responsive to stimulation. http://www.fastcompany.com/3016031/leadership-now/are-you-an-introvert-or-an-extrovert-and-what-it-means-for-your-career
- 4. THE NIGHT BEFORE. Get your stuff together.
- 5. Don’t Be Like Bert - Do Your Homework • Know where you are going and when. • Read over the list of speakers and workshops. • Have comfortable clothes picked out in advance. • Know the MMM Elevator Pitch • Put together your “Business Bag” – Business Cards – Snacks – Gum – Phone Charger – Notepad / Pen – Tickets to Event The moment when you realize you have homework on a Sunday night.
- 6. Yes, Business Cards Are Still A Thing • If there was ever a time for business cards – conferences are it. • They can be carried in anything from a rubber-band to a professional case. Just carry them. • Don’t be ashamed to ask for someone else’s – that’s a good opportunity to share yours in return. • Keep the business cards you collect together in your purse or wallet. Make them easy to find the next day. • If applicable, write identifiable information on the card you receive once you leave the conversation.
- 7. Challenge Yourself to Make Goals and Use Time Purposefully Attitude is everything. By making goals in advance, you can begin to form a vision for your time there – and become more purposeful in how you interact with others. – Example Challenges: • Have 50 authentic conversations where you exchange 50 business cards. • Meet 3 keynote speakers and repeat back to them the advice you liked. • Talk to 10 new people and find out what excites them in the field. • Ask a question during a Q&A. • Meet organizers of the event and ask about how you can be involved. • Solidify three follow-up meetings from your new contacts. • Select one speaker to meet and make plans for coffee at a later date. • Invite one person back to Man Made for an office tour and chat.
- 9. Name Tags Are Important So Please Wear Them – Not On Your Pants Kristen Man Made Music This is on purpose.Anything out of the ordinary gives others a way to break the ice. Do what works for you!
- 10. Take Good Notes • There’s a lot to be learned.Take good notes so you can better remember what was discussed. – Not only for future reference, but to bring up in small chat with fellow attendees. • Notate the best way to reach speakers via social media as well. – It’s good to get in the habit of finding key words, phrases or sound bites being used – that you can post to social media with the conference hashtag while tagging the speaker. – You’ll find fellow attendees may begin to like/retweet your posts, which builds comradery.
- 11. Picking Your Schmooze Target This is the hardest part. • First, take a deep breath and look around the room. • The best place to start is others who are alone and not distracted… • Then move onto people looking at their phone… • Then 2 or 3 people having a mildly interesting conversation… • Then the host of the event… – And even ask for help – “Hi, can you introduce me to so and so?” But if all else fails…
- 12. Be A Good Schmooze Target • Be the kind of person you would feel confident approaching yourself. – Don’t look like you’re talking on your phone or distracted by something serious / important. – Keep open and warm body language, smile when you lock eyes with someone. – Sit somewhere that has seating next to or near you. – Have something about you that’s noticeable or easy to reference – whether it be an accessory or joke on your nametag, etc. Helps people remember you and ideally talk to you.
- 13. Turning Small Chat Into Big Success • People love to talk about themselves. It’s okay to be a listener and ask lots of questions about them. – Where do you work? – Where do you live? – What are you looking forward to this week? – How did you hear about this conference? – What’s been valuable to you so far? – What could be done better? – Any projects you’re excited about working on? – Have you considered sound and music and if so, how do you use it in your projects? FUN FACT: Especially at conferences, you’re all there for likely the same reason and motivations. Instant point of unspoken bonding.You’re free to just say hi!
- 14. Turning Small Chat Into Big Success • When you feel the conversation is about to end, or you need to move on to catch another person – don’t forget to ask for their business card and remind them it was nice to speak with them. • If they don’t have one, have your notebook handy for them to write down their best contact instead or input it directly into your phone. • If you see them at later points in the conference, say their name and hello! • If you feel a conversation is dragging and they’re not getting signs you’re uncomfortable or need to go, politely thank them for their info and that you’ll follow- up, but for now you need to…get more food, another drink, a better seat, or even that you were hoping to continue making your rounds at the event. FUN FACT: You may find yourself with a “conference buddy” – usually one of the first people you meet at the event, who you can tag team the rest of the day with.These people are great and worth finding!You know you’ll always have the freedom to sit next to them and they can even be a wingman when you need support chatting with the key speakers.
- 15. Food Breaks • Especially for long conferences, food breaks may be your only moment to yourself. • However, they are also some of the easiest ways to meet people. “Hi, is this seat taken?” • Be one of the first people to the dining tables and have your choice of seats.Then others will be forced to sit with you. • …But don’t forget to take care of yourself.Take a 5-minute walk outside or break to check your e-mail and recharge alone if you need it.
- 17. Follow-ups • Keep it casual.A short and sweet note is appreciated and will be briefly skimmed. • Include some memories that reflect on the conversation you had – either shared interests, a project they are working on, or some other tidbit that shows you were listening and care. • Offer an actionable next step – to book a meeting later that week, meet for coffee or exchange additional information. Use dates and times when necessary to keep things moving forward. • This isn’t dating.You don’t have to wait 3 days to write (or call). – My rule of thumb: E-mail the next day, except if the next day is a Friday.Then wait until the following Monday. Got it?
- 18. MOST OF ALL, HAVE FUN. It’s not so bad, really!
- 19. THANK YOU. Kristen Lueck |SeniorStrategist, Culture and Innovation Man Made Music | www.manmademusic.com @former_case | @man_made_music
Editor's Notes
- #3: Would anyone here call themselves an introvert? An extrovert? The reality is, we all probably fall somewhere in the middle of this scale.
- #4: Fun Fact – Additional Information: Extroverts have lower basic rates of arousal, which cause them to work harder to stimulate their minds and bodies to a ‘normal’ state introverts can achieve easily. This leads them to seek novelty, adventure and the company of others. In introverts, that type of stimulation can be overwhelming. Their level of basic arousal is much higher and therefore they are content one-on-one, alone or in predictable situations.
- #5: As introverts, you can prepare and make the seemingly unpredictable situation before you more predictable. Here’s how.
- #6: These are a given, but it helps to refresh.
- #16: Take extra snacks. You’ll need it.