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11.16.06
SEO Conference Tips And Tricks
 By
Todd Malicoat
The number one tip would be - don't be shy - talk to people, and talk to LOTS of people. There are few opportunities to discuss all your pressing questions about SEO/SEM with people that ACTUALLY might know the answers. Everyone at the show will be as excited as you to talk about work for longer than 10 minutes without their listener's eye's glazing over. Here's some tips, tricks, and resources, and best practices on understanding conference etiquette.
18 Tips for attending a conference -
1. Always start conversations - always introduce yourself if given the opportunity. Don't be afraid to say something stupid - it's better than saying nothing at all. Jim has a good list of conversation starters.
2. Wear Your Namebadge- It's difficult to remember names without meeting someone repeatedly - and while it personally embarasses me when I don't remember people by name after meeting them a few times - after a few days of great information - names are probably the first thing to leak out my ear.
3. Sidle in on conversations - apologize to be sure it is okay and introduce yourself - wait until the conversation lulls to ask your questions. Don't be overly pushy if a small group of people is in an intense conversation - you can always approach them if you see them later. It's okay to introduce yourself a few times.
4. Don't try to overly pitch people - you'll reek of desperation - you're here to make contacts and prospects - not get someone to sign the contract (well maybe - but don't be the pushy salesguy). There's no better way to get ostracized from a conversation. It's the only time I've truly seen rudeness at a pubcon show. Don't spam people with business cards or handouts.
5. Don't tell people overly specific information about other people's sites and ideas - unless you don't want those people to tell you something ever again. Learn to give sweeping generalizations as examples to get a point across. Respect a certain level of confidentiality even though you're having drinks with friends - they could be competitors of your other friends.
6. Take a small notepad for important notes - you THINK you'lll remember them, but you're gonna be more bombarded by information than you ever thought possible. Mix in a few cocktails and sleep deprivation, and you'll just be happy to remember your name and how to speak by the third day.
7. Sit down at a few different tables and introduce yourself to a group at lunch. It's amazing who you can meet sometimes over a crappy box lunch. Be sure to get into some conversations outside your comfort zone and areas of expertise.
8. Spend a little time researching new products and services in the exhibition hall. Have good questions for the vendors - and don't waste their time with BS like "show me your product" if you never intend to use it (okay maybe just a little if they have cool swag). You know how to research online - you can do that later. Find out why they are unique.
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About the Author:
Todd Malicoat aka Stuntdubl made his first horrible looking website full of animated .gifs in 1997, and after fours years of failure and experimentation ended up in the world of SEO and internet marketing in early 2001. Todd is a speaker at both Webmasterworld and Search Engine Strategies conferences.
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