This past weekend my family had the wonderful experience of attending the In Home Conference in St. Charles, Illinois. The past few years I’ve gone by myself, but after seeing the amazing workshops offered to the kids, I knew that I wanted everyone to go with me this year.
I had a chance to personally meet with many of the presenters, to learn many new things, and even have lunch with one of the speakers. The kids saw an amazing chemistry show, did some theater improv and even held a corn snake and python in their laps.
Now, I know many of you reading this probably have attended conferences before. If you’re an interest-led learning family, you’ve probably have a few favorite homeschooling conference you attend each year, too.
But there are also other types of conferences that are well worth attending. In fact, if you or your kids attend specialized conferences that are all about your interests and passions, you’ll meet so many people that can help you find new opportunities for learning more about your interests, as well as how to make money or develop a career from those interests, too.
The internet has made a dramatic difference in access to people that we would never otherwise meet. And that can be a great way to introduce yourself to people. But I’m still convinced that there’s nothing like meeting someone in person to make a lasting impression.
I’m going to be sharing tips that both you and your kids can use for attending conferences. I’d highly encourage your older children to attend conferences in area they would like to find work or to be introduced to people who might become mentors or advisors.
Building living portfolios and having lots of great references are important for kids who don’t attend school, and conferences are the best places to meet people who can offer your kids internships, job shadows, advice and mentorship opportunities.
So, I’d like to share with you 10 tips for making the most of attending a conference. Sure, you can just show up and still get something out of it, but if you come prepared and do some important things while you are there, you’ll be amazed at all the doors that will open up to you and how much easier it will be to follow your dreams.
1. Make a list of all the things you and your kids are interested in and do a Google Search to see if there are any conferences in your area on those topics in the next year. You’d be amazed at the types of conferences there are out there, even obscure, niche topics. While I think in person conferences are the best, don’t discount online conferences, too. I’ve attended a few of them, and if you make it a point to connect with other people, you can get a lot out of these experiences, too.
2. Make sure to check out the presenter’s website and read something that he or she has written. There are a lot of advantages of going into a session knowing the background of the presenter and what he is currently working on.
First, you won’t have any general questions that couldn’t be answered just by doing a simple search. Presenters appreciate that you’ve taken the time to know something about them ahead of time.
You also have the advantage of learning a little about what they’re currently working on. Usually that’s what the presenter is most passionate about at the moment. They will be especially excited to talk about this, and if you show some knowledgeable interest, they will be more willing to help you out and give you great advice.
3. Follow all the speakers or presenters you will be meeting on Facebook, Twitter or Google + a few months before attending the conference and comment on their blogs. This gets you on their radar before they meet you in person.
Before the conference I just attended, I was Facebook and Twitter friends with several of the presenters months ahead of time. I got a great picture of their everyday life. I was able to talk with them before meeting them in person, and I even had lunch with one of the authors. It was like meeting a friend.
We’re more willing to share with and give advice to people we know personally. So take advantage of the great social media opportunities there are and make friends with or at least introduce yourself to speakers before meeting them in person.
4. Make a list of questions that you’d like answered before attending the sessions. If you’ve done your research ahead of time, you’ll be able to come up with specific, targeted questions that will help you out and show the speaker that you are someone who is serious about learning more.
5. Carefully research the vendors that will be at the conference, too. Some people might overlook the vendors at conferences because they see them as people who are just looking to sell them something. While they are there to sell, many vendors are very knowledgeable and can give great advice. Also, if you want to work at a specific company or organization, this is great way to make a personal connection with someone there….someone who might be willing to make a phone call for you and get you in the door.
6. Be sure to arrive early to workshops and introduce yourself to the speaker. I like to show up early because that’s the best time to introduce yourself to the speaker, especially if you’ve made some contact with them beforehand. After the presentation, everyone is usually rushing up to them to have their questions answered, but before the session starts, people are usually to shy or nervous to talk to the speaker.
This is another reason why I like to meet the presenter online first before introducing myself to them in person. I feel more comfortable approaching them, and we have this immediate connection. I’ve been able to jump right into a more personal conversation that way since we’ve gotten the introductions out of the way ahead of time.
7. Visit the presenter at his or her booth so you can have a longer conversation. Speakers have a limited amount of time to talk before and after their sessions. If you visit them at their table during the day, you’ll have more time to talk and ask personal questions.
Also, if you’ve contacted them before the conference, introduced yourself before the session starts, and then visit them at their table for a more personal conversation, they will remember you. They will usually be more than willing to help you in the future.
8. Don’t forget to talk with other attendees during the sessions and afterwards. This was hard for me at first because I really am a more introverted person, but when I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone and introduced myself to others, I’ve been able to share the things I’m interested with others and have learned about so many things from the other attendees, too.
I’ve exchanged numbers and e-mails and developed relationships outside the conference, and I’ve learned about new opportunities and received great advice. It’s an amazing opportunity to develop new relationships that will help you in the future.
9. Be sure to walk around to all the vendor booths, even stopping at the ones that may not interest you at first. Pick up all the literature you can. Introduce yourself to the people working the booths and let them know the things you’re interested in. You never know who will have the connections you need to open up new doors.
10. Be sure to follow up after the conference with anyone you had made a personal introduction. This part is so important. While your name and face is still fresh in their memories, write to the speakers, vendors and attendees you make a personal connection with at the conference, and let them know how much it meant to you to talk and share with them.
Here’s a little story about how I wish I would have taken my own advice:
I went to a screenwriting conference in Hollywood when I was 23 years old. I met with an agent and pitched him an idea. He said the script was very similar to something they just bought a few months ago. Although he wasn’t interested in that script, he gave me his card and said to please send him another script, and that he would be interested in looking at it.
I never followed up on that opportunity. I’ve always wondered what would have happened if I did. If I sent him something now, I doubt that he would remember me.
So, keeping up that relationship while it’s still fresh is so important.
Photo Credit: San Jose Library
What conference have you or your children been to? Have any opportunities come out of that experience?