Tips and Tricks on How to Navigate Conferences/Meetups - Issue #28

Hey friend! Wanted to send you some practical tips and tricks on how to navigate networking events. We are in full swing of conference season (for those of you attending CodepaLOUsa in 2 weeks, I will see you there). I’m a huge introvert and networking events overwhelm me so I want to give you some of my best practices I have figured out over the years!

• Do your research, not every conference is created equal - I would look for longevity here. Not saying that newer conferences are bad because RenderATL was in its 2nd year and had 1k people attend. But just make sure you get something out of it.

• Pick 5-10 speakers that you want to meet based on your similar interests

• Pick 5-10 classes or sessions that you want to go to - YOU DO NOT NEED TO GO TO EVERY SESSION. Give your brain a break. You need the energy to network!

• Make connections with those you meet so you can connect on social media

• Look into dot cards. Networking is all about lack of friction. Asking for ANYTHING is friction ‘hey can I have  your phone number’ or ‘hey what’s your twitter handle’ is friction.

• Utilize the hallway track…find a couple of folks you know at the conference and hang out so you get introduced to other people

• Introductions are key then connect with them on social media so you can stay in touch = Networking

• Pace yourself – conferences can be A LOT!

• Take breaks, kind of like I said above, take breaks…go find some quiet places and work a bit. 

• Be strategic, find your tribe. If you find 1-2 people you vibe with…stay with them. 

• Final tip, instead of taking notes on paper, take notes on twitter. I would live tweet a speaker and tag them. This is a great way to network because you give the speaker something and then they will retweet you and you have that immediate common ground now to get to know that person.

Hope you enjoyed this! If you did, pls tell your friends about it! Reminder, I have a referral program $$ so if you know any developer looking for work over 3+ years of experience and I place them you get DA MONIES! Talk next week!

-Taylor