Personal Branding Weekly - Facilitate Strategic Meetings Instead of Hopeful

When going to a conference or face to face event, don’t just go “hoping” to meet people. Go with a plan and be strategic.

Invite people that are already in your online circle who may be going or be from the area to meet AFK (away from the keyboard).
Look to see who the speakers, authors, presenters are and make a “hit list” of who you would like to meet and develop a relationship with further. These people can be great allies, along with cutting edge information since they are keeping a finger on the pulse of your industry.
Look for the conference organizing staff’s names and other industry leaders and make it a point to be in those sessions, lunches, meetings, break times with them to develop at first awareness of who you are and then listen intently as you learn and develop relationship.

I made this video for a specific online networking group, but the practice I outline in it can apply to any face-to-face event. Alignable Members Tutorial: An Easy Way to Make the Most of Your Alignable Membership

Our contributing authors also cover several helpful tactics, strategies and case studies this week: